The Bahamas Protected Project reached Cat Island this year with six marine protected areas proposed following a “rapid environmental assessment” conducted by Bahamas National Trust and consultations with Cat Islanders. The areas will be zoned for multiple use including catch and release fly fishing, small scale and subsistence fishing, recreational scuba diving and harvesting of land crabs.

• North Cat Island: (159,724 acres); Encompassing Port Royal, Orange Creek and the waters around Little San Salvador

• Alligator Creek (3,627 acres)

• Fernandez Bay & Joe Sound/Armbrister Creek (24,133 acres),

• Hawksnest Creek (18,543 acres),

• Cutlass Bay Creek (4,257 acres)

• Columbus Point (28,015 acres).