Destruction in Paradise: Using the capabilities approach to assess the causes of marine debris in the Bahamas -The case of Hurricane Dorian and informal settlements in the Abaco Islands

Abstract: Marine debris is a major threat to wildlife and human health. This study examines the socioeconomic vulnerability of informal housing as arguably one of the main drivers of the abundance of marine debris in the aftermath of a tropical cyclone. Using the Abaco Islands, Bahamas, as a case, the study applies the capabilities approach to assess the societal impact of Hurricane Dorian. Findings indicate that capabilities were already deprived in analyzed areas before Dorian, resulting in vulnerable informal settlements easily destroyed by the storm, leading to both large amounts of marine debris and massive social suffering. From this, the study argues that restoring capabilities to what they were before a disaster is insufficient. Instead, efforts should aim to enhance capabilities to reduce housing vulnerability. The study suggests that better data collection and recognition of land rights, among other factors, would improve the capabilities of informal communities, ultimately mitigating marine debris.