Update, June 2, 2008: Earthwatch has announced they are no longer involved in the Baker's Bay Club on Great Guana Cay. The following was written between 2005-2006, when Earthwatch's involvement in the Baker's Bay Club project was being used in the media to give Baker's Bay legitimacy. Earthwatch appears to be making strides on this issue.

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Locals who had watched the kids performing research on Guana Cay described them as nice kids, but woefully ineffective in the water. One story relates a kid slipping and falling several times on the beach, because he kept trying to walk with his flippers on.

Earthwatch volunteers are not meant for hard research, and Earthwatch condemns the misuse of their volunteers.

Earthwatch also condemns development companies using their name. Magruder told me that I should report to them any incident of the Discovery Land Company using their name to promote their name. But at the same time, Earthwatch is allegedly sending representatives to explain to Abaconians that the development is good for the environment.

The development will end the traditional way of life for the Guana Cay residents. The natural beauty of the island, the coral reefs, the mangrove system, the marine and terrestrial life, will all vanish. The birdwatching-fishing-quiet low-key tourism that Guana Cay depends on will vanish. Already, the cultural genocide appears to have begun. Since the islanders of Guana Cay do not allow the developers to stay in their hotels, cottages or homes, the developers have already bought out an elderly couples' inn to house their staff. The Seaside Inn, which was once a vital part of the island, is gone forever.

The loss of the Seaside Inn was lamented in an online meeting place called the Abaco Community Message Board, where one reader wrote, "I enjoy all of the bars and restaurants on Guana, but Guana Seaside was my favorite place to sit at the bar, uncork a bottle of red, and discuss the ills of the world with Glenn, Bob, and Gerry. The music was always low so you could easily converse with the guests and locals. An era has truly ended on Guana."

But that's just the beginning.