Today – Tuesday 8 June – has been designated by the United Nations as World Oceans Day. And as the ocean is a huge part of Bahamian life, Engel & Völkers Bahamas is highlighting its importance.
First officially declared by the UN in 2008, World Oceans Day celebrates the seas. It also recognises that education and action are needed to protect the oceans and marine life from the dangers posed by climate change, promote marine biological diversity and the marine environment and encourage sustainable development.
Described as “A day for humanity to celebrate the ocean,” World Oceans Day aims to raise awareness of what humans gain from the ocean and our collective duty to take care of it.
Its theme for 2021 is The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods. This year, it is hoped that a record 350,000-plus people will tune in via live stream and more than 60 million through social media to an international program of events, including a World Oceans Day photo contest, from 10 am – 5 pm EST.
The 700-plus islands that make up The Bahamas are surrounded by 90,000 square miles of water. With 2,201 miles of beautiful coastline, incredible coral reefs and beautiful cays to explore, there is an array of spectacular sites to see. The Bahamas is also home to Deans Blue hole, one of the deepest blue holes in the world, tunnels, caves and some of the best shark diving in the world. In these amazing sites and across the islands there are around 250 species of fish, 24 marine mammals, 53 breeding birds and over 1,350 types of plants.
Famous for the perfect blue ocean, the water plays a huge part in the islands’ beauty but is also instrumental in the local economy. With water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, spearing, deep diving so popular throughout the island, alongside the impressive array of seafood on offer at restaurants and markets, it is easy to see how the ocean is relied upon. The future quality of life in The Bahamas is inseparable from the ocean. Great strides have been made towards sustainable use of the ocean but there is still more to be done.
Of the threats facing the Bahamas, one of the greatest natural perils is climate change. 80% of the Bahamas’ landmass is within 1.5 metres of sea-level rise and 90% of the Bahamas freshwater lenses are also within 1.5 metres making them highly vulnerable to pollution. There is a great deal of human activities such as habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, overharvesting and pollution which also greatly affect the Bahamian waters.
Our Nassau Grouper is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species
As a luxury real estate company, Engel and Völkers Bahamas knows the value the ocean holds to The Bahamas. With a high demand for properties near the water, we want to do what we can to protect our beautiful sea and marine life with it.
License Partner, Colin Lightbourn says, “Our coast is filled with incredible views that make people fall in love with The Bahamas, its superb selection of waterfront property and the azure blue sea. We are thrilled to support World Oceans Day and we urge all to care for the ocean, its creatures and those who earn their living from the seas.”
To see Engel & Volkers Bahamas Real Estate’s outstanding oceanfront property listings go to https://bahamas.evrealestate.com/.
