Sampson Cay, Exuma - Turtlegrass Resort today releases a new video that includes a computer-generated simulation that illustrates the drastic impact of plans by developer Yntegra to use the North Bay to accommodate an industrial dock, fuel and supply ship deliveries, a 240-foot seawall, fuel storage and waste facilities for their planned Rosewood Exuma resort.
Created using computer-generated visuals based on the developer’s publicly-available plans, the video makes clear the scale of irreversible transformation required by Yntegra’s plans to turn the pristine North Bay into a commercial shipping lane. The bay is a thriving marine ecosystem, a destination for divers, snorkellers and tour operators, and home to juvenile conch populations that support the local community and economy.
The video is being launched to the public on Thursday March 19th via a full page ad in both major newspapers and online via www.savenorthbay.com. The public is being called upon to share the video and sign the petition to halt any further permits for seabed dredging and construction activities associated with the Yntegra Rosewood Exuma project.
"We think it’s only right that people can see for themselves the extent of transformation that will be caused by Yntegra’s current plans,“ said Bob Coughlin, founder of the Turtlegrass Resort.
“In contrast to their claims that they’ve accommodated community concerns, this industrial facility and commercial shipping channel is still threatening the North Bay when there’s a much better alternative,” said Coughlin.
The release of the video follows public outcry at a Town Hall meeting in Georgetown, Exuma last month over the developer’s plans to dredge the North Bay. Loud chants of “No dredging!” rang out as community members gathered to relay their concerns to the Town Planning Committee.
Coughlin, a successful business leader, environmental advocate and philanthropist in The Bahamas, and a resident of Exuma, purchased the lease of Big Sampson Cay in 2022. This was more than a year before Yntegra was granted a heads of agreement to pursue a mega-yacht marina resort development that dramatically encroaches on Coughlin’s proposed eco-tourism resort and threatens the pristine North Bay its model depends on. Coughlin attempted to negotiate with Yntegra and the Bahamian government for two years before finally launching a legal fight against environmental clearances granted to the Yntegra/Rosewood project and its plans for the North Bay.
He has continued to propose a straightforward alternative that would allow the resort development to move forward without destroying North Bay: relocate the industrial dock and back-of-house facilities to the south of the island, where deep water access already exists.
"Moving the dock and industrial facilities to the south of Sampson Cay is a win/win as it unlocks progress while preserving what makes this place special,” said Coughlin. “Deep water is already there. No dredging of the North Bay is required. No environmentally devastating seawall is required. No fuel ships navigating through tight turns in shallow channels with strong currents and threatening the safety of the snorkellers and divers who enjoy this bay or those who make a living bringing them there."
Former Bahamas National Trust Executive Director, Eric Carey, one of The Bahamas' most respected environmental voices - and CEO of ONE Consulting - welcomed the release of the video.
"Exuma's marine environment is both a local asset and a national treasure - a living symbol of what makes The Bahamas extraordinary. Nothing that we’ve heard from Yntegra so far suggests they are taking seriously the irreversible damage that their current plans will cause or the public concerns raised, as dredging the North Bay for their service dock and industrial facilities is still front and centre in their plans,” said Carey.
Yntegra’s environmental impact assessment contained no studies of the environmental impact of their proposed plans to build a massive seawall and dredge in the North Bay, nor any realistic dredging maps. Despite claims to have accommodated community concerns by moving the dock and reducing the scale of the dredging involved, the proposed service dock is in the same area in their latest plans as it was in their publicly-submitted plans from a year ago, raising questions about how there can now be less dredging, as they claim.
Furthermore, marine experts have highlighted in court-filed affidavits that even if proposed dredging were carried out in the North Bay the area would remain operationally unsafe and impractical for supply vessels due to persistent hazards, making Yntegra’s plans to dredge the bay even more questionable.
Turtlegrass Resort and Carey, who created a petition requesting the Bahamian government conduct further analysis of the impact of Yntegra’s plans to dredge the North Bay that has received more than 7,300 signatures, are calling on all Bahamians, environmental advocates, and supporters worldwide to watch the video, share it, and sign the petition calling for no more environmental clearances for Yntegra’s dredging plans.
Click here to sign the petition and share the video.
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Media enquiries and interview requests: ali@turtlegrassresort.com
About Turtlegrass Resort: Turtlegrass Resort is a visionary sustainable resort and conservation-focused development located on Sampson Cay Exuma, The Bahamas. Turtlegrass is committed to responsible stewardship of Exuma's natural environment and to development models that honour the ecological and cultural heritage of the islands.
About Bob Coughlin: A resident of Exuma, Bob Coughlin is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, with a focus on the environment, youth development and disability. Passionate about sustainable development and community engagement, he has a long history of philanthropy and environmental advocacy, including being recognised by the Bahamas National Trust in 2024 for a game-changing $1 million in donations since 2021, and establishing the Friends of Exuma charity that has delivered over two million dollars in support to the local community since its inception.
