Cat Island cradles 5 pristine Marine Protected Areas of 258,000 acres

The Bahamas Government has committed to protecting 20% of its shoreline through a system of Marine Parks and MPAs, with protection well advanced on many Family Islands. Cat Island United is currently working with the Government’s Department of Marine Resources to manage these resources for conservation, restoration and economic livelihoods. This project is planned to launch in late 2026 with a pilot co-management program to map and identify areas of degradation and possible restoration in the Fernandez Bay/Armbrister Creek/Joe Sound MPAs.

Encompasses the northern tip of Cat Island, including Port Royal, Flamingo Point, Goat Cay and Little San Salvador. The largest of the MPAs at 160,000 acres, it encompasses mangrove creeks, Green Sea turtles, manta rays, coral reefs, sharks, spawning aggregations and pelagic fish.

Alligator Creek/Bennetts Creek

A naturally protected, pristine area of 4,000 acres with plentiful green sea turtles, bonefish, rays, sharks, herons, osprey and fish nurseries.

Fernandez Bay/Joe Sound/ Armbrister Creeks

Orange Creek/Port Royal/San Salvador

“Fernandez Bay” tri-creek area encompasses 24,000 acres and is home to green sea turtles, bonefish, permit, tarpon, triggerfish, snappers, jacks and fish nurseries.

Columbus Point

Wrapping around Columbus Point on the southernmost tip, this MPA spans 28,000 acres and is home to white tail sharks, coral reefs and peliagic fish.

Hawks Nest/Cutlass Bay

Hawks Nest, Cutlass Bay creek encompass 42,000 acres of bonefish creeks and is home to both coastal and oceanic pelagic fish