This tidal process in waters like this, occurring roughly twice a day, was for most of history misunderstood. The tides are linked undeniably to the health of both the mangrove and the sea itself.

Hans looks up at the waning moon and explains how the tide's ferocity is a result of our two relevant gravitational bodies - the sun and the moon. When the moon is full, he explains, the sun is at at odds with the moon. But today the sliver of moon suggests the moon and sun are acting together, adding to the gravitational pull.

Bahama tides are not severe, but they are unquestionably important to the ecosystem. And all that is tied into the mangroves.

The word mangrove has two meanings. It refers to a type of plant, and also a coastal habitat consisting of plants that flourish in saltwater and the creatures which abound in them.

Regardless, the Abaco mangrove system is both - consisting primarily of the plant family called mangroves and being a botanical community which exists in the saltwater.

Mangroves are derided by many for being buggy, swampy and smelly, virtually worthless places. But the mangroves feed the sea. Just looking under our feet, we see bounding schools of minnows. Deeper, sharks and fish of every ilk breed their young here. Green turtles come into these waters to forage on seaweeds. It is the safest place in the sea. The mangrove gathers nutrients and the tide flushes all that into the seas. The mangroves feed the sea grass and form the breeding ground for the coral reef. Life in the West indies then, begins here.