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05
Jun 14

The Skink Files: Belize Edition

I don’t think Skink would travel much and if he did, it would likely be to the Bahamas or maybe Cuba. Belize might be a stretch, but hey, he’s fictional, so I can send him anywhere I want, right?

This time I’d like him to meet John Travolta down in Belize to discuss the actor’s plans for Lighthouse Reef.

The atoll sits near some pretty sensitive ecological gems and Mr. Travolta would like to plop down a resort there. Sure, it would be “green,” but is there any such thing when it comes to totally transforming a little island and bringing thousands of people out there with all the power, food and sanitation needs they will have?

I bet Skink would have some thoughts.

Environmentalists are in an uproar at the Cabinet’s approval for the multi-million dollar tourism development within the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Puerto Azul Belize Limited is proposing an exclusive resort, hotel, golf course, villas and spa to be built on Northern Two Caye and Sandbore Caye. The island proposed for development are a short distance from the Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, both extensively protected areas for their importance in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

 

A disaster in the making

A disaster in the making

 

 

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16
May 14

The Skink Files – Aragonite mining in Grand Bahama

I think Skink might make the trip from Florida to Grand Bahama to deal with these guys (that’s the link to the full story).

Someone wants to mine aragonite in Grand Bahama. Yes… that Grand Bahama. The Awesome Grand Bahama with all that kick arse fishing and wonderful wildlife. The locals are none too happy.

Omeko Glinton, a professional bonefishing guide at Deep Water Cay for 17 years, added: “This would be one of the most detrimental things anyone could do, not just for the natural habitat, which also includes conch, lobster, bonefish and many more species, but also to the many people who have been using these areas to support them and their families.”

 

This does not seem like a good place for a mine.

This does not seem like a good place for a mine.

I really, really hope this doesn’t come to pass. Grand Bahama is one of the best bonefish fisheries on the planet. I hope they don’t screw that up.

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28
Apr 14

The Skink Files – Resorts World Bimini

Oh that he were real… I think old Skink would be drawn like flies to a manure heap to Resorts World Bimini.

The Bimini Blue Coalition is keeping an eye on them, but at this point that means mostly cataloguing their destruction.

Bimini isn’t a big place, but it is getting a big resort and that resort is stripping out mangroves, dredging the sea floor and basically destroying the things that make the Bahamas so wonderful. You can’t destroy the thing you want to celebrate.

Stop by the Bimini Blue Coalition and give them a like and please, never, ever go to Resorts World Bimini.

A dredge... the bane of the flats angler.

A dredge… the bane of the flats angler.

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06
Nov 13

The Skink List

Maybe you are a fan of the writing of one Mr. Carl Hiaasen. If you are unfamiliar with his works, I suggest you check him out. He writes pretty much exclusively about Florida and the word “bonefish” can be found in just about every work, despite the books not being about fishing.

One of my favorite characters in his books is Skink. Skink is a vigilante out to protect the Florida he loves from threats of development and degradation. If he were a Dungeons & Dragons character his alignment would be Chaotic Good. He blows things up, kidnaps tourists, beats litterers and does worse to those most responsible for ruining a good thing.

Many a moment have I wished Skink were alive and well, stalking through the Everglades, one glass eye and his perfect white teeth grinning at some mischief he could cause for people who really and truly deserve it.

Here are a few of the projects I wish he’d get a hold of.

I’m sure there are more… many, many more. Skink would be a busy, busy man.

Disney reaches out to destroy a little of the Bahamas.

Disney reaches out to destroy a little of the Bahamas.

 

 

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