My Dear Bahamian Fishermen:

Here we are, just a few days from the start of the 2022/2023 crawfish season. As a former fisherman, I always feel nostalgic around this time of year - reminiscing on the excitement of what the new season would bring. The fishermen of our country work hard during the off-season to repair and prepare their equipment and vessels in hopes of reaping a bountiful harvest. They must plan and be prepared for all possible outcomes. Fishermen must be businessmen, self-reliant, strong and adventurous.

The crawfish industry is vital to the fishing sector and to many Family Islands. Therefore, we must continue to protect and enhance the industry.

The Department of Marine Resources and I would like to wish all fishermen of The Bahamas a prosperous and safe crawfish season. We recognize the importance of this industry to thousands of Bahamians throughout our archipelago including Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, Abaco, Long Island, Exuma, Andros and many others.

I once shared the statement below from an article and it still resonates today!

“Fishing is certainly not a life for everyone. Long hours, hard work and bad weather are enough to keep most people on land. But if you ask commercial fishermen about fishing for a living, they will tell a different story. They will tell you about the breathtaking beauty of the open ocean, about the great excitement of a good catch of fish and about the personal satisfaction of a hard day’s work. While many fishermen admit that fishing can exact a physical and emotional toll, it is asmall price to pay for a way of life keeps them coming back season after season to earn a living from the sea.”

Our Blueprint for change provided a framework on how we can enhance and continue to protect the fishing sector. We, as a government, have made much progress in such a short time to continue to develop and protect the sector.

We have:
1) Digitalized the license and permit process for the fishing sector
2) Eliminated duty on motor parts inclusive of outboard motor parts
3) Continued Marine patrols along the southern most boarder of the Great Bahama Bank and Cay Sal Bank.
4) Initiated the establishment of Bahamas Wildlife Enforcement Network (BahWEN)

We will continue to work diligently as a government to engage the fishermen and persons invested in the industry to help create policies and initiatives to strengthen the industry.

May God bless you and keep you safe!

Minister of Health & Wellness the Honourable Dr. Michael R. Darville today announced that The Bahamas now has the capacity to test for Monkeypox at the National Reference Laboratory. While speaking at the weekly Press Briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Minister Darville said it marked a significant step in the Ministry’s plan to mitigate the importation and spread of Monkeypox in the country. “We have been working seminars with tourism in particular in the hotels, and next week we will be engaging with persons working in immigration and customs,” he said.

The Health Minister also disclosed that his Ministry is working with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to procure vaccines for Monkeypox adding, “It is important to note that the vaccine for Monkeypox will not be like the vaccines for COVID, they will only be administered to those at high risk.” He said that while the homosexual or MSM population is cited by the World Health Organization (WHO) as high risk, the public health issues associated with individuals who come into contact with persons who may have been exposed or who are high risk, requires that “health is on high alert”. Other high risk groups include frontline health workers, and close contacts of those who are infected.

Symptoms of Monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes, followed or accompanied by a rash which can last for two to three weeks. The rash can be found on the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, eyes, mouth, throat, groin, and genital and/or anal regions of the body. Lesions can range from one to several thousand and begin as flat surfaces then fill with liquid before they crust over, dry up and fall off, with a fresh layer of skin forming underneath. Symptoms typically last two to three weeks and usually go away on their own or with supportive care, such as medication for pain or fever. People remain infectious until all of the lesions have crusted over, the scabs fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed underneath.

Persons who exhibit symptoms of Monkeypox or who have been in contact with someone who has Monkeypox should call or seek medical attention.

NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Minister of National Security the Hon. Wayne Munroe and Permanent Secretary Cheryl Darville joined Acting Commissioner of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS) Doan Cleare at the Re-dedication of Chapels at the Maximum and Medium Security Facilities, held at BDOCS, on July 22, 2022. 

Among those present included Deputy Commissioner Bernadette Thompson-Murray and senior BDOCS officers; Assistant Commissioner of Police Craig Stubbs and other senior police officers; Corrections Chaplain Rev. Dr. William Thompson; Royal Bahamas Police Force Chaplain Father Stephen Davies, and other members of the clergy, and corrections stakeholders. 

Ambassador to Cuba and former Prison Superintendent His Excellency Dr. Elliston Rahming also brought an inspirational message, and correctional officers and residents gave musical performances.  (BIS Photos/Eric Rose)

8 members of the Bahamas Waste (BW) Operations department were recognized as part of the company’s achievement awards. For more than two decades the company has made training and development of its staff a significant priority, helping Waste cement the firm’s reputation as the leading provider of waste management services in New Providence.

“The operations department is responsible for collecting solid and liquid waste around the islands,” explained BW Operations Manager, Ethelyn Davis. “There are some really dynamic individuals that make up this department and so it was fitting that their efforts be rewarded. Our staff members go out every day. Even at the height of the pandemic, they were not only helping provide the essential service of trash collection but also doing work that many people do not want to do.”

For the past 15 years, the annual achievement awards process has sought to recognize employees who go above and beyond in the execution of their duties. Employees qualified for the achievement awards if they meet a series of rigorous requirements which vary depending on the operations division they work in.

“Because of the kind of work they do daily, it’s important that members of the operations team receive the necessary on-the-job training to keep them abreast of new standards and measures designed to ensure safety in the field,” explained Neville Adderley who was responsible for carrying out this year’s training sessions. “They undergo 3 weeks of in house training that covers on the road driving, safety, operation of the truck and handling equipment,” he said. This year’s award ceremony saw employees presented awards for Safety, Most Productive Driver, and also for the category of Happy Helper.

Each category was further split into subcategories which were awarded individually for Roll off drivers, who are responsible for preparing, securing and transporting open top and compactor containers to various disposal sites; packers who are responsible for residential and other small commercial client collections; and for portable sanitation which covers construction sites - which are mandated to have proper sanitation services available for their workers. “Our guys handle pumping, servicing these portable toilets along with the hand sanitizing stations,” Davis explained.

In the safety division, Victor Johnson, Devon Bonaby, and Omar Nichols took home the awards for the individual categories of Roll Off, Packer, and Portable Sanitation respectively. Awards for the ‘Most Productive Driver’ were handed out to Jameico Stuart, Cardron Sealy, and Michael Pierre for the individual categories. Meanwhile the ‘Happy Helper’ awards were handed out to Lynden Johnson and Carlous Collie, who were individually awarded for the Packer and Portable Sanitation categories.

During special recognition ceremonies held at the company’s Gladstone Road headquarters, each of the honourees were presented with certificates of recognition, gift certificates as well as a special luncheon.

“We’re exceptionally proud of the work of all our team members, " said Davis. “We’re dedicated to rewarding excellence within our ranks and providing a safe work environment and opportunities for growth.”