Campaigners seek protection for sparkling bay
(CNS): A number of residents and tourism stakeholders in the Rum Point area have begun a campaign and launched a petition to protect a bay in the North Side district which enjoys a rare natural phenomenon. The Bioluminescent Bay of Rum Point is a growing tourist attraction for its natural sparkling ocean light at night due to tiny microorganisms in the water. However, it could be under threat if an application for a coastal works licence for a dock and dredging in the area is passed. So far, over 440 people have signed the petition and campaigners say the goal is not to just stop the current application but to have full protection in place for the bay in general.
Eleven letters of complaint have been submitted to planning with just one in support of the development. Tom and Lisha Watling, owners and operators of Cayman Kayaks, have also written to Cabinet setting out the reasons why they oppose the construction and dredging inside the Bay. The couple explained that they only conduct kayak (non-motorized) tours into the bay.
“Combustion engines kill the microscopic organisms,” the two explain in a letter to Cabinet. “We offer and encourage our guests to use DEET free bug spray as the chemicals in the regular bug repellants kill the organisms. We also ask our guests to try their best to refrain from any other skin lotions and chemicals on their bodies. We frown on swimming in the bay and ensure our guests only interaction with the bioluminescent water is by using their hands and feet.”
On land bioluminescence is not common but in the Ocean over 90% of every living organism uses living light. Worldwide there are a few special cases where creatures using living light can be found in extreme concentration (750, 000 and up to 1 million per gallon) on a regular basis year round. Bio Bay here in Cayman is one of these rare places, along with only twelve recorded places in the whole world.
“Not only are we worried as a company that thrives on this organism to deliver a fascinating tour to our guests, but we are deeply concerned that building this large dock will require dredging. Dredging the bay is going to harm this amazing natural phenomenon. Our tours alone bring in on average 500 guests a month, even though our tours run only 15-17 nights of the month,” the couple stated.
Ironically, the bay was originally created through dredging but it has emerged now as a contributor to the wider marine eco-system. There are already a number of docks around the bay but the campaigners believe that the bay is already at risk from existing development and and over use and can dolonger sustain any further development.
From an environmental perspective, the dinoflagellates which produce the light are primary producers of food and the first link in the aquatic food chain and contribute to providing organic carbon for reef-building corals, sponges, clams, jellyfish, anemones and squid.
“There used to be more bioluminescent bays. New Providence Island in the Bahamas had a bioluminescent bay. Its opening to the sea was widened and the dinoflagellates population declined. A bioluminescent bay in Hawaii suffered a similar fate. Others in the Caribbean have been lost due to industrial or boat pollution, the cutting of mangroves for charcoal, the overgrazing by cattle of nearby fields, which produces water-clouding runoff, and the increase in artificial lights,” the Watlings told Cabinet.
On behalf of the campaign, the couple asked Cabinet to consider classifying the bio bay as of exceptional ecological or recreational value that cannot be altered except by natural causes as is the case in Puerto Rico where a similar bay has been formally protected.
“Dredging, pollution, destruction of mangrove trees, land development, and overuse of the bay’s water can kill the fragile dinoflagellates. Our first step to saving the bay is to NOT allow this dock to be built, however our main concern is ensuring no dredging takes place in the bay,” the campaigners say as they also ask for legislation prohibiting combustion engine vessels from entering the bay.
Go to the petition to save Bio Bay
Category: Science and Nature
These matters should be referred to the Department of the Environment to get qualified marine scientists who are familiar with our islands’ ecology to offer their opinion on the various factors posing risks to the bioluminescent organisms in the "bio-bay" (otherwise known as Sand Pointe Cove). CNS have you asked the Department of the Environment for their expert opinion on these matters?
From a purely amateur's perspective though, building a dock and using motorboats in the cove probably aren't the biggest threats to be most concerned about. Several docks have been built and used on the cove over the years, and outboard motorboats have been using the cove for many years. In view of that, it's unlikely that continued use of that size of motorboats going in and out of the cove would destroy the bioluminescence if they haven't done so all this time (unless there are going to be much bigger boats or much more boat traffic than there has been in the cove up to now).
What is of much greater concern though would be dredging in the cove, and also destroying or removing mangroves around the edge of the cove. Both of those could constitute major disruptions to the ecology of the cove and based on information about some other intensely bioluminescent bays around the world, either of those changes could very easily destroy the bioluminescence. If deeper and/or wider channels are left by dredging that would mess around with the patterns of water flow which could easily sweep out or dilute the concentration of the microscopic bioluminescent organisms. There are reports of dredging and changing of water flow patterns having resulted in the loss of the intense bioluminescence in one or two other bioluminescent bays elsewhere.
Mangroves around intensely bioluminescent bays – especially the mangrove leaves that drop into the water and decompose – are reportedly the essential primary food sources for those bioluminescent organisms to survive. It was very upsetting to hear that the developers of the dock in the cove have forged ahead and completely destroyed and removed an entire swath of mangroves that were growing all the way down into the water, apparently without having gotten a Coastal Works License to do so and even before receiving permission to build the dock. Couldn’t they have designed and built a dock in a more environmentally sensitive manner that respected the ecosystem of the bioluminescent cove and preserved the mangroves that were there?
Also:
Isn’t it illegal to remove mangroves that are growing into the water, without a Coastal Works License?
Wouldn’t dredging require a Coastal Works License?
Can CNS find out whether there has been application for a Coastal Works License to do either one of those?
I'd prefer a dock.
To all of you who say that you are a Cayman Kai Home Owner Please Sign your Names, when you Post your Comment, i work for some of you and i see the kind of Emails you all have going around. I think it time for us CAYMANIAN to stand up for you all. This will not be the first Dock there so pleae get over it. When you all rent your Units, are you all going to tell your guest that they can not bring there Boats. One thing i can say to all of you that have a house in Cayman Kai i only see all of you there for about 8 weeks a year, and you all have so much to say and wants to Stop evening the shopping Center COME ON. Mitzie Tomlinson
First of all let's understand one thing "Bio Bay " does noy exist and is just a blatant attempt by some Johnny come lately to to create marketing for his business .If we are talking about the body of water that is surrounded by,Sand Pointe (Point o' Sand was the original name used by North Siders) on the west side;Water Cay on the east side ;and Finger Cay on the south side; then I believe that was given to this by the developers of Cayman Kai is "The Cove".The Cove was originally a bbody of shallow water with "Black grass" (Turtle Grass) and sand spits ;so while it was dredged and shaped by the developers ,it is not really man made. So please Mr Tom Watling ,call this area by the correct name and refer to it as "The Cove " and not Bio Bay of Rum Point.No need to rewrite geography here.
If it helps Tom I know how much you care for these Islands. You care more than many people whos families have been here for generations. The fact that you make a living by showing people some of our natural beauty might cast dark shadows for others that think it is only about "your personal gain" that is at stake. So be it. Those same people believe also that just because they own something or they can buy something, they have the right to dredge, cut down trees, erradicate the local fauna and more; all for the quick buck and short term convinience even if what they do will have consequences for the rest of us and the environment in the long term. At the end of the day, water ways are public, and the owner's rights end where the rights of the rest of us begins as people living in these Islands.
I know you are an outstanding young man who wants nothing but the best not only for our Islands but the entire world. Your contribution is educating people about our fragile environment and finding the balance between progress and sustainability. Without people like you bringing this issue into the daylight, we will have the big developments, cemented highways and big infrastructures and no natural wonders to show as we seem determine to destroy the little that is left.
Good on you Tom!
I agree about the dredging issue but Tom when you throw in stopping "combustion" engines you simply are proving to yourself that this is for YOUR personal gain so other boats dont go in the bay. These homeowners had their boats since the 70's and the main reason the bio is in the bay is because of how the the bay was dredged in the first place! LASTLY quit driving your 'eco' jeep so friggin fast down residential neighborhoods with your kayak trailer you will hit someone one day driving so wreckless.
Let's hope his driving remains wreckless, rather than reckless!
I take it this is really a ruse to try to block the planning application at Cayman Kai?
Bravo Lauren for depicting the character assasination on Tom as shameful! The article is about how to keep the bay sparkling. My family has taken Cayman Kayaks eco-friendly tours and I would recommend it to all of you out there who enjoy nature. Let me explain how the tour is conducted. A patron takes the kayak out from Rum Point Beach from a stand which is set up on the Red Sail side. Then one goes around the mouth of the bio bay to enter the bay. There are NO carbon monoxide emmissions in this process. As we paddle to the middle of the bay,Tom explains the significance of the luminous micro-organisms in the food chain and their impact on the marine life of the rest of the island. Perhaps, the critics should take the tour to find out where it is taken from, how he conducts it, how much people like it, get to know how caring Tom is of the eco-system and then they can intelligibly speak without trying to commit a character assasination on him.
"a stand which is set up on the Red Sail side." – not sure you have your facts straight, might want to ask Red Sail about that.
I pretty sure they operate from a public beach area without governement permission, not at Rum Point itself.
You dingdongs, anyone can go in that bay to see this. I've been several times and I've been with Tom 2x with visitors. It is very good and infomative with very little disruption in the water by the participants.
It has been found to be one of the few brightest in the world. The only areas brighter are in Puerto RIco. (I have been there too)
You folks need to get on the nature/eco/green tour bus before you are completely left behind with your 10 story highrise buildings and 5 star lux properties and private beaches that no local will be able to enjoy.
Hurry!! Let's try to be like Miami because that's where everybody wants to go!! lol
WOW!! I did'nt know we had this in Cayman. I know in Bermuda there are 2 pink blooming ponds – Seymour's Pond and Spittal Pond. According to Dr. Wingate of the Audubon Society in Bermuda he thinks that because Seymour's Pond underwent restoration recently year the excavating changed the character somewhat which allowed the plankton to bloom. Perhaps it might be diferent with this Bay at North Side, but the more scientic buffs on island should do some research. In Bermuda viewing areas were added. Whatever way possible I think it would be nice to protect it as much as possible. Surely that can be done without the fighting. ANOTHER NICE THING FOR THE LOCALS AND TOURISTS ALIKE.
Bravo Lauren for calling the character assassination on Tom as shameful and cowardly. The article is about sustainable development and the necessary discussion we need to have on protecting our natural resources. My family has taken Tom's bio tour and he conducted his tours in a very eco-friendly way. We used kayaks which do not emit carbon monoxide. We stayed in our kayaks the whole time. He educated us on the significant value of these light bearing organisms in relation to the marine eco-system of the rest the island. We were not in the bay disturbing anyone. Perhaps critics need to take the tour first, learn a few lessons and then speak.
As someone whom has been boating within the cove over the last 20 years it is filling in with sediment at quite a rate,( hurricane Ivan did not help either), so a couple of questions to this petition come to mind,
what happens when if they do stop the dredging and part of the cove fill in?, not allowing the tides to flush it, will the Bioluminescent die off?, secondly would the tourists enjoy the smell that would then come from the stagnent water? what about home sales/ rentals in that area , which dont forgot bring the tourists that i am sure make up a good part of Cayman Kayaks clientele.
on another slightly differant note, as the lagoon is man made would it not be considered private property? , as some of the waterways within the SMB area are?, if so, does Cayman Kayaks have permission to operate there?.
a lot of questions i know but there are two sides to this, and i believe this is not the first time that the cove has been dredged for this reason.
First of all I must say that the Bio Bay in Cayman is a sight to be seen. I have been there many times and it is a wonder of nature. I have also been to multiple bays around the world (it is not true that there are only 12), including Cuba, Jamaica and Honduras just to name a few. Cayman's is a very good bay, except there are a lot of house lights that take away from the glowing experience. Maybe we could start by shining less lights into the bay, while doing a scientific evaluation as to the effects of dregging and petro chemicals with bioluminescence.
As far as dredging goes and the planning board, where can one see these plans? I have not see the required notices in the newspaper. Have they already ran? I cannot be for or against these plans until I know the full story. This sounds one sided so far, CNS can you provide more information?
I have also been at Rum Point at sunset on many occassions and seen Cayman Kayaks preparing for their tour. So it strikes me as funny that they are no crusading for more laws and regulations. He is a young man that drives his 4×4 suped-up Jeep right onto the public walkway so he can place his kayaks near the water (kayaks are also made up of petro-chemicals by the way). He doesn't come off as evironmentally friendly as he is acting in this article.
Which brings up another point. When is the government going to start enforcing the regulations that are already in place about businesses operating on public land without the Trade and Business license to do so? Here is a company taking out 500 people a month from a public walkway, even to the point of putting up signs right on the "public walkway" signs. People have been complaining about this type of activity for years, from 7 mile to Rum Point, and yet there is no enforcement of the laws already in place. Why create more regulations when you cannot enforce the ones that are already in place. I have a lot of business ideas that I could do off of public land, what is stopping me from doing them? I see plenty of other businesses operating this way, including Cayman Kayaks.
I'm a home owner on the bay in question, just because Cayman Kayak's owner was interviewed for this petition doesn't mean that he is behind this for personal gain, he just wants what most of the homeowners want and what the good people of Grand Cayman should want.
Please don't be short sided sign the petition so that at least more research is done before this fragile environment is destroyed forever. Thank you
As a homeowner in the bay, is there anything that can be done to tone the lights down in the bay? That is most people's reaction to their first trip to the Bio Bay… "how come there are so many lights on the houses?"
This seems like a simple place to start. Can you help with that?
08.26…suspect not until the crime rate comes down..
As aniother caring native of these Cayman Islands I too want to see the Best for our Beautiful Islands that we do nnot bbecome another Miami. The Tourist do not want to come here to find another Miami or another a Busy Built up West Bay Rd.. So, the questions to ourselves who are we catering to? All the Development It appear to be only for the locals who want to be in Miami without having to take a flight there. That's like we are having more fast food restaurants and less native cooking. Once again who are we catering to? In the Long term it will not be for the tourist because the will eventually pack because the are leaving rise buildings to come to high rise (ten stories) building and fast food restaurants. For the tourist coming to high rise buildings and fast food restaurants it is likeus locals going to the beach to relax but still taking buckets of sand with us to poor over the beach that already has sand. I think we locals would prefer to go to the pretty clear sandy beach that we can enjoy without having to go thriough the tress of having to back sand to the beach. The tourist are always arriving here after working so hard and waiting long to save their money and having to ask where is all of the local people, the local food,the local things to do and see. Whenever the toursit can not find these native things that their haerts so desires what do we think they are going to do or what place are they going to find next time to spend their hard earned vacation money. Now do we locals still want to continue disposing of what we have? Please Let us wake up and stop letting the people help us destroy what we have that others are paying to come and enjoy. Remember that we are competing with many other vacations spotts in varoius parts of the world and it maybe the same competitors assisting us with destroying that beauty that we have here in order for the tourist to visit where they want them to go elswhere and spend their money with our competition/investors. Lets us resolve it peacefully as the loving Native Caymanians can and will do to preserve the beauty that we have here.
So can I setup my new waverunner business there? I also would like to do night snorkelling without lights just strobe lights. Could I rent small sailboats ? There are so many other businesses that could start up on this new phenomena . But I must tell you that bioluminescent can be seen anywhere in Cayman travelling on the water at night. It might be a little brighter in the bay because its trapping the organisms so that it can't flow with the currents. Probably seasonal with the winds also. But shouldn't we do the right thing and let it go free?
Like has been said that area was dredged in the first place. We have a house there and the cove is filling in fast. In the not too distant future it will have to be dredged again or it will be back like it was just a swamp. It will be interesting to see what will happen when you cant get a boat in there and the property values plummet.
Then you might have to get a smaller boat. Having a boat, much less a large 40-foot or 60-foot boat, is not a right of any homeowner in the area.
So, because you have a 60-foot boat we should dredge the area just for your boat to get in?? NO!!
I think many people here are missing the point of this article. This bay exists regardless of it being so called "man made" it is still a amazing living organism that is rare on the planet.
Owners of properties there should be welcome to use the bay, but rules and regulations should be followed such as with other marine protected areas and organisms to help preserve it.
There are a few companies who run evening tours through the bay, guests should be able to experience such a wonder. Imagine if you wernt able to visit the pyramids in Giza, Mesa verde in the states, or scuba dive the great oceans. By educating locals and tourists on this bay is essential to its survival.
im sure there are alternatives to destroying this bay. And why as a local in cayman Kai would you want more development there. The properties and land there has its own magical flair to enhance the island.
Remember tourism is one of the largest industries, start appreciating and educating people and enjoy one of a few bio bays in the world. Build elsewhere!
My name is lauren and I fully support saving the bay and the nature of cayman, I want my children to experience this one day, and yes, on one of Tom and Lishas tours with cayman kayaks! Good on them for standing up for the bay and shame on anyone who feels its all about business. I've been on their tour numerous times and Tom is great at educating and respecting the organism
I wont get into the whys and wherefores re this dredged area but we need to understand that Cayman has nothing to offer our tourists but our fragile environment.NO Govt has ever had the balls to get on with the saving of what brings our visitors here and until we get them to understand this we will never have a sustainable tourism industry.The whole world is now just understanding how vital and attractive the various types of natural enviroments are to visitors.I am not against development(never have been in all my letters and comments)BUT unless we get smart and understand what sustainable development is we are doomed.Sorry to say but Little Cayman is heading down that same destructive path all because of a few people(companies) who cannot see anything but dollar signs and it hurts me to see so many people with the means to do something about it just stand by and let it happen.This night time attraction should be saved at all costs regardless of whether it happened because of dredging(which I very much doubt)as it hasnt shown up in the other huge areas of dredging.The point is if it can further our tourism product so be it.It will be VERY interesting to see how the Planning board votes on this BUT me thinks that will go the way of all the other environmentaly destructive plans.
Since the article was posted, over twenty Caymanians have signed the petition. Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. Cayman Kai homeowners do not want to see more boats. So thank you!
"…the bay they use is actually man made."
– The Bay is not man made. The land around it it is. The water and the glowing organisms have always been there in the whole North Sound. No human has brought the organisms inside the bay.
"…Now telling the owners they can't use their docks on the property that they bought legally, with the docks already being there for 15+ years. For what? So Cayman Kayaks can make more money?"
– There is no talk to say poeple can't use thier boats in the bay. We are suggesting to buy an electric trolling motor when exploring the bay to encourage the bioluminescence to flourish. The use of combustion engines kill the organisms proved by Michael Latz researcher of bioluminescence for the past 30 years. No one has had the interest or concern to study our specific bay. And now we will.
"…This all coming from a company that for years has been treating the area like they own it. Pulling their kayaks across people's private yards…"
– In poor weather for safety precautions access through private property HAS been given permission.
This article was supposed to be a means of reaching out to help preserve this natural phenomonon. Protecting the bay doesn't make me more money it would allow me to continue to do what I love and show guests to the Island this facinating experience.
I am in love with Cayman's land and marine habitats and I want to see it all protected! I am trying to plan for the future generations.
It seems that all of those who are trying to attack your motives, don't actually know you, or your history, or your business. We, who do, know how much you care about the environment and are happy you're bringing this into a brighter light.
Sounds like Cayman Kayaks is looking to get this protections for their own commercial good. Most locals know that this type of bioluminescence occurs all around the N. Sound, and the bay they use is actually man made. Now telling the owners they can't use their docks on the property that they bought legally, with the docks already being there for 15+ years. For what? So Cayman Kayaks can make more money?
This all coming from a company that for years has been treating the area like they own it. Pulling their kayaks across people's private yards (the same people they now want to deny access), and now using public land to operate a commercial business. How about that enforcement? Breaking one law, while promting another just to help themselves!
Don't get me wrong, I am all for the environment, but think this "story" needs to be researched a bit more before we take somebody's word for it. What proof do they have? Last time I was in the bay it was brighter than I remember it ever being years back.
You have an awful lot to say for hiding behind an "Anonymous" comment. Doesn't hold alot of weight what you have to say when there is no credibility to the author of the comment.
Fascinating story!
First of all, I was completely unaware that such a rare natural phenomenon existed in Cayman so I am thankful for this enlightenment.
However, for me to form an opinion on the dregding and petition I would require a more balanced assessment of the situation.
The fact of it being a rare phenomenon is appreciated, however the irony that it was brought about by dredging in the first place cannot be quickly dismissed.
Furthermore, what are the reasons and circumstances surrounding the proposed dredging?
Is it privately owned land? Who is the owner / developer? Is the proposed dock for reasons of business or private enjoyment of the landowner? Does the kayaking company and concerned parties own the land / stretch of shoreline in question?
Furthermore, who initiated the petition? What are their interests in this debate? Was it the kayaking company or any other company?
Naturally arguments in support of protecting nature against the exploits of monetary gain will be injected into the debate. However, in response to that we must ask ourselves; are we not protecting the interests of those who are already gaining financially via Bioluminescent Bay by blindly supporting this petition? Furthermore, are we infringing on the rights of a private land owner in the process?
Could be a classic case of 6 of one and half-dozen of another.
If anyone has more information on the situation than please share with the rest of us, because as it stands, the presentation is a bit unclear and dare I say, one-sided.
Lol!
I am always amused by the number of "troll" clicks I receive – regardless of topic.
(In fact, this post was somewhat of a test. These are my genuine concerns, however I was not instantly drawn to post on the issue. However, I decided to do so and see what happens.)
True to form, my opposition is out in full effect, lol!
Verdict: Whodatis has "trolled" on the issue of glowing aquatic microorganisms!!
LOL!! You just couldn't make this stuff up.
You know, you guys are only underminding your credibility for the future. Anyway, thismade my day – thanks!
😉
I too have found that no matter what I post, I always get some Troll clicks. There must be an App that does that automatically . But not to worry, we have science on our side…
http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/159078/people-using-pseudonyms-post-the-most-highest-quality-comments-disqus-says/
Sounds about right yeah.
🙂
Whodatis, how very cunning and clever of you! Trouble is you write so much shit that no-one really bothers to read it, apart from the likes of me who love to see your mental anguish and pain. Most just see its you and hit the troll button. I read and then hit the troll button, regardless of content. It makes my day too! Keep up the crap!
My biggest fan here …
Okay "Anonymous" – have a seat, take a load off … would you like something to drink?
Now, talk to me.
What is really the problem you have with Whodatis? What is that one significant thing that Whodatis once said that first planted that seed of hatred within your heart?
Come on … breathe – let it out … this is a safe place, no one can hurt you here.
🙂
Whodatis. The point may be that the dredged bay is not actually the one in issue here. Little sound is entirely natural.
I troll you automatically. It saves time. Because 99% you deserve a "troll" and reading your spewings means a small part of my life has been wasted while you get little cheap thrills trolling.
A real mystery for someone to grow up on Cayman and be unaware of what we used to call “phosphorescence”. Are you really one of we????
Maybe you need to get out a bit more. In a boat. Try some actual trollin’…..
My, my … aren't you the early bird.
Interesting is the fact that you opted only to attack, criticize and second guess Whodatis' background in this thread.
You and your friends are truly pathetic.
You are somewhat thinskinned for a blogger/troller. Ever think about going into politricks?
That was such a reach.
Sorry buddy – you've already shown your true colors.
Run along now.
The troller doesn’t much like being trolled it seems.
Give me a break. So the bay was originally dredged for development, now one company with one employee (himself) wants the governement to "protect" it for his benefit by telling the property OWNERS they can't build something or operate their boats there despite the fact that's what it was developed for in the firts place. That's assuming that the bioluminescence is "threatened" in the first place, which there is no proof whatsoever that it is.
I really don't see why people have to fight so hard to preserve Cayman's natual beauty. Developers need to realise that once they destroy these natural habitats, they are gone forever!
The natural habitat that we're talking about is not natural. It was created by those evil developers who dredged it back in the 70's.
"overuse of the bay’s water can kill the fragile dinoflagellates."
Does taking 500 people a month into this "fragile ecosystem" constitute overuse Tom Watling?
“Combustion engines kill the microscopic organisms,”How many thousands of boats have patrolled or been through these waters over the last 30yrs ? Have these boats hampered the glowing organisms?
How long has Cayman Kayaks been in existence? A few years?
How long has this phenomenon been occurring in this "bay"? Longer than the company's owner has been alive.
How many docks are already there as a result of previous dredging? 20+?
Has anything happened previously to disturb this?
No.
Not commenting on whether they're right or not. BUT, there's no way to protect it as they want without the National Conservation Law. Another case of Cayman not having the regulatory tools it might need to manage a changing socio-eco-economy.
The story sounds like Cayman Kayaks just wish to defend their own selfish interests. Many home owners in the 'lagoon' have owned their homes & boat docks for decades ,since the dredging of the lagoon in the 70's / 80's. Boat traffic has increased over time, yet the bioluminescence remains. The boat engines of today, which are now primarily 4 stroke, emmit just a small fraction of pollutants that the old technology outboards did years ago. New technology diesel engines are the same.While I detest Jet Skis, even they are now more environmentally cleaner than most cars on Caymans roads. Maybe they would be happier if all road vehicles were banned driving to Rum Point Finger Cay & Kaibo? Its just the South Sound nimbyism now invading Rum Point.. just my take on it mind you
The fact that this phenomenon was brought about by dredging says it all.