As many of the Bahamas National Trust’s (BNT) marine national parks are spectacular dive areas for both locals and visitors, the BNT recently launched a dive tag programme. This initiative provides divers with an opportunity to support conservation and national parks by purchasing a tag that can be attached to their dive equipment.

UNEXSO, Grand Bahama’s oldest and largest dive centre, generously decided to support the programme by selling the dive tags in their retail store. Customers purchasing a dive tag are supporting infrastructure at the marine parks managed by the BNT, such as mooring buoys and monitoring of the reef structures.

Additionally the funds will be used to support other aspects of BNT’s Marine conservation, education and research programmes. The funds also support work on important advocacy issues such as shark, conch, sea turtles and grouper conservation.

“Here at the BNT, we are working to involve corporate Bahamas with the national parks and we’re extremely grateful that UNEXSO stepped up to the plate by participating in this initiative,” said Astra Armbrister, BNT Director of Development.

“The dive tags are a very visible way to show support the BNT and the national parks of The Bahamas. The income generated by the Dive Tag Programme will allow us to provide better infrastructure and ongoing information about the health of the marine environment in our parks.”

UNEXSO has been a longtime supporter of the Trust and teaches the importance of preservation and conservation of marine environments.

One of UNEXSO’s dive sites is Ben’s Blue Hole, in Ben’s Cave in the Lucayan National Park in Grand Bahama. Ben’s Cave was named after UNEXSO’s legendary diver Ben Rose, who discovered the cave system.

“UNEXSO is proud to be participating in this initiative and selling the dive tags to our customers,” said Nikki Waugh, UNEXSO Retail Manager.

“The BNT is such a great local organization and our divers are excited about this new product. It gives them an opportunity to take something Bahamian back while promoting and supporting the BNT.”

Persons interested in participating in the dive programme can contact Astra Armbrister, BNT Director of Development via email at aarmbrister-rolle@bnt.bs.

Dive tags are currently available at UNEXSO in Grand Bahama and via Aqua Cat cruises in Nassau.

The Bahamas National Trust was created by an Act of Parliament in 1959 to build and manage the national park system of the Bahamas. Possibly the only non-governmental organization in the world charged with such a responsibility the TRUST, as it is commonly known works daily to conserve and protect the natural resources of The Bahamas, through stewardship and education for present and future generations. There are currently 27 National Parks managed by the TRUST with more than 2 million acres of marine and terrestrial areas protected.

Website: http://www.bnt.bs/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bahamas-National-Trust/25034035861?ref=hl