The “Wild Indians” of Andros Island

Howard, Rosalyn

doi:10.1177/0021934705280085

Cited by 9 publications

References 4 publications

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Local ecological knowledge from Andros Island, The Bahamas, reveals new insights on the distribution and use of the Critically Endangered smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata

Guttridge

Carroll

Guttridge

et al. 2022

Aquatic Conservation

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1. The Bahamas is among the last remaining refuges for the Critically Endangered smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata, and the presence of a distinct 'beacon of hope' population on Andros Island may prove critical to their recovery. Although legislation in The Bahamas protects sharks from exploitation, no such national protection exists for rays, which include sawfishes. Targeted efforts to protect essential habitats coupled with community-led conservation actions provide a path forward for sawfish conservation and recovery.2. Structured interviews were conducted in 2021 (n = 77) with community members that frequent Andros waters to describe the temporal and spatial patterns of sawfish distribution in Andros, and to identify key regions or habitats for sawfishspecific monitoring and potential protection. 3. Sawfish encounters (n = 99) included all life stages and were located throughout coastal and tidal waters of Andros. Comparable numbers of animals were encountered along both coastlines, predominantly on shallow (<2 m), muddy flats close to shore (<1 km). Most notable were encounters with young-of-the-year sawfishes in new regions of Andros, indicating the potential discovery of undocumented nursery habitats. Although most encounters were sightings, 22% (n = 20) of the sawfishes were caught, with just under half of these harvested for food, bait, and/or to keep the rostrum as a decorative item. 4. There is an urgent need for more expansive protection and monitoring of smalltooth sawfishes across their range in Andros and improved education and outreach to prevent further harvest. Recommendations include: (i) the formal development of a national strategy for sawfish conservation; (ii) adding sawfish to the existing shark sanctuary to provide national protective measures; and (iii) community-led outreach and education activities to develop and lead conservation initiatives, including ecotourism and wildlife guiding and a Bahamian sawfish reporting network.

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Local ecological knowledge from Andros Island, The Bahamas, reveals new insights on the distribution and use of the Critically Endangered smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata

Guttridge

Carroll

Guttridge

et al. 2022

Aquatic Conservation

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Perceptions of Resilience in Fishery‐Dependent Bahamian Communities Following a Category 4 Hurricane

et al. 2019

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Fishery‐dependent communities in coastal environments are often vulnerable to hurricanes, but diverse and accessible fisheries may buffer the effects of extreme storms and promote community resilience. We began evaluating this possibility with a qualitative study in the Lowe Sound and Red Bays communities in The Bahamas immediately after the impact of a category 4 hurricane. We interviewed 68 households, asking about the relationships between the storm's impacts and fisheries resources. Lowe Sound respondents described fisheries as natural insurance that provided food and income. Both communities indicated that retaining access to boats was critically important. Respondents most often blamed impacts on low‐elevation geography, followed by religious interpretations. Fishers linked damages with climate change more often than other community members, suggesting that fishers have an experiential knowledge of climate change. We discuss the importance of fisheries as natural insurance, how recovery efforts can strengthen resilience, and potential outreach strategies that incorporate local knowledge.

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Cosmopolitan Meanings of Old Spanish Fields: Historical Archaeology of a Maroon Community in Southwest Florida

Baram

2012

Hist Arch

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The “Wild Indians” of Andros Island

Cited by 9 publications

References 4 publications

Local ecological knowledge from Andros Island, The Bahamas, reveals new insights on the distribution and use of the Critically Endangered smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata

Local ecological knowledge from Andros Island, The Bahamas, reveals new insights on the distribution and use of the Critically Endangered smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata

Perceptions of Resilience in Fishery‐Dependent Bahamian Communities Following a Category 4 Hurricane

Cosmopolitan Meanings of Old Spanish Fields: Historical Archaeology of a Maroon Community in Southwest Florida

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