As the 50th Anniversary of Bahamas Independence approaches its landmark on July 10, 2023 the Independence Secretariat has held a plethora of activity for its 'Road to 50' celebration. On 'Arbour Day,' April 28, the Secretariat recognized international 'tree day' with Lignum Vitae tree plantings by various government agencies that would amount to 50 across the landscape. To the mantra, 'Plant a Tree.  Leave a Legacy!' -- Minister-of-State for Education and Technical & Vocational Training, the Hon. Zane Lightbourne joins school youngsters of H.O. Nash Junior High in planting the Lignum Vitae, Bahamas National Tree, on their school grounds. 

On their current visit to Acklins, Crooked Island and Long Cay, the Hon. Alfred Sears, Minister of Works and Utilities; the Hon. Basil McIntosh, MP for MICAL; Bacchus Rolle, Parliamentary Secretary; and officials of the Ministry of Works and Utilities, during a visit to Crooked Island view and discuss conditions of the Landrail Point dock and a proposed site for a new dock there.

 

On their current visit to Acklins, Crooked Island and Long Cay, the Hon. Alfred Sears, Minister of Works and Utilities; the Hon. Basil McIntosh, MP for MICAL; Bacchus Rolle, Parliamentary Secretary; and officials of the Ministry of Works and Utilities, during a visit to Crooked Island view and discuss conditions of the Landrail Point dock and a proposed site for a new dock there.

Royal Caribbean International has outlined the cornerstones of its environmental plans to responsibly build and run its new beach experience – The Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island in Nassau, The Bahamas. The key components consist of six focuses: zero waste-to-landfill, renewable energy, wastewater treatment, protecting and enhancing the surrounding habitats, and environmental monitoring.

At the foundation of Royal Caribbean’s plans is a combination of its rigorous companywide sustainability principles and proven practices as well as the requirements of The Bahamas’ stringent environmental process. The highlights of the plans’ cornerstones include:

· Zero Waste-to-Landfill – The beach club will be free of single-use plastics and offer compostable service ware at food and beverage venues. In addition, it will be equipped with biodigesters to reduce food and other organic waste, and process cooking oil into biodiesel for energy production. The cruise line will also develop partnerships with local Bahamian companies focused on recycling and innovative waste reduction programs.

· 100% Renewable Energy by 2030 – Royal Caribbean is committed to a net-zero carbon footprint for the Royal Beach Club by 2030. The project will incorporate smart design considerations during construction, including natural shade, low flow filters and more. The line will also invest in renewable green energy production – solar, wind and hydro – both onsite and through innovative, new partnerships throughout New Providence.

· No Dredging and No Overwater Cabanas – Royal Caribbean will conserve the ocean environment, including coral, and will not dredge the area in and around Paradise Island. In addition, the cruise line will not build overwater cabanas on the property, and it has no marine development plans for the northern shore where abundant coral is present. It also plans to minimize the impact on marine life through monitoring and adjusting the location of the limited structures, such as the floating pier, in place during construction on the southern shore of the island.

· Best-in-class Wastewater Treatment – The beach club will have a dedicated and best-in-class wastewater treatment plant that will process 100% of the wastewater generated onsite. More than 95% of the treated wastewater is intended for beneficial reuse, and the remaining byproduct will be composted for landscaping and vegetation.

· Protecting the Island’s Habitat – The western end of Paradise Island has fallen into disrepair, with several former residential properties neglected or abandoned. The company will restore this area by adding native plants and vegetation, removing invasive, non-native species of plants and only constructing buildings on previously altered property or that contains significant invasive or non-native species of plants. In addition, Royal Caribbean plans to continuously study and protect wildlife during construction and eventual operation. 

· Local Environmental Monitoring – When building and operating the beach club, a Bahamian company will conduct environmental monitoring and publicly report information through an environmental scorecard. 

As part of its commitment to an open and public process, Royal Caribbean will hold a supplemental public hearing in conjunction with The Bahamas’ Department of Environmental Planning and Protection. Details for the meeting are being finalized with the government of The Bahamas and will be shared as soon as they are available, in line with notice requirements. The cruise line will also share more about its environmental plans in the coming weeks. Now that the beach club has received the government’s conditional approval, this information will include answers to questions various stakeholders submitted during the initial public consultation in September 2021. 

About Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island  

With an opening planned in 2025, the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island in Nassau, The Bahamas, will combine the island’s striking beaches with Royal Caribbean’s signature experiences to create the ultimate beach day. Alongside private cabanas, stunning pools and more, the vibrant Bahamian spirit and culture will come to life throughout the world-class beach experience. Vacationers will be welcomed by local architecture that complements the exceptional views of The Bahamas’ turquoise-blue waters and white sand beaches, along with experiences that feature Bahamian fare, island-style barbecues, live music and local artisans.

Crafted in close collaboration with the Bahamian government, the new project will feature a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership in which Bahamians will be invited to own up to 49% equity. The experience also creates opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs to manage the vast majority of the experience as well as hundreds of jobs for Bahamians across its construction and long-term operation. The 17-acre beach club will be made up of 13 acres of land owned by the cruise line and 4 acres of Crown Land. The Crown Land will be contributed as equity in the new venture to ensure a share of the profits return to the government and the Bahamian people in a first-of-its-kind agreement in The Bahamas. This, in addition to a new tourism levy, will go into reinvesting in the local community. 

About Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International, owned by Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel that features the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to 240 destinations in 61 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 20 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

 Royal Caribbean International has outlined the cornerstones of its environmental plans to responsibly build and run its new beach experience – The Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island in Nassau, The Bahamas. The key components consist of six focuses: zero waste-to-landfill, renewable energy, wastewater treatment, protecting and enhancing the surrounding habitats, and environmental monitoring. At the foundation of Royal Caribbean’s plans is a combination of its rigorous companywide sustainability principles and proven practices as well as the requirements of The Bahamas’ stringent environmental process. The highlights of the plans’ cornerstones include: ·        Zero Waste-to-Landfill – The beach club will be free of single-use plastics and offer compostable service ware at food and beverage venues. In addition, it will be equipped with biodigesters to reduce food and other organic waste, and process cooking oil into biodiesel for energy production. The cruise line will also develop partnerships with local Bahamian companies focused on recycling and innovative waste reduction programs. ·        100% Renewable Energy by 2030 – Royal Caribbean is committed to a net-zero carbon footprint for the Royal Beach Club by 2030. The project will incorporate smart design considerations during construction, including natural shade, low flow filters and more. The line will also invest in renewable green energy production – solar, wind and hydro – both onsite and through innovative, new partnerships throughout New Providence. ·        No Dredging and No Overwater Cabanas – Royal Caribbean will conserve the ocean environment, including coral, and will not dredge the area in and around Paradise Island. In addition, the cruise line will not build overwater cabanas on the property, and it has no marine development plans for the northern shore where abundant coral is present. It also plans to minimize the impact on marine life through monitoring and adjusting the location of the limited structures, such as the floating pier, in place during construction on the southern shore of the island. ·        Best-in-class Wastewater Treatment – The beach club will have a dedicated and best-in-class wastewater treatment plant that will process 100% of the wastewater generated onsite. More than 95% of the treated wastewater is intended for beneficial reuse, and the remaining byproduct will be composted for landscaping and vegetation. ·        Protecting the Island’s Habitat – The western end of Paradise Island has fallen into disrepair, with several former residential properties neglected or abandoned. The company will restore this area by adding native plants and vegetation, removing invasive, non-native species of plants and only constructing buildings on previously altered property or that contains significant invasive or non-native species of plants. In addition, Royal Caribbean plans to continuously study and protect wildlife during construction and eventual operation.  ·        Local Environmental Monitoring – When building and operating the beach club, a Bahamian company will conduct environmental monitoring and publicly report information through an environmental scorecard.   As part of its commitment to an open and public process, Royal Caribbean will hold a supplemental public hearing in conjunction with The Bahamas’ Department of Environmental Planning and Protection. Details for the meeting are being finalized with the government of The Bahamas and will be shared as soon as they are available, in line with notice requirements. The cruise line will also share more about its environmental plans in the coming weeks. Now that the beach club has received the government’s conditional approval, this information will include answers to questions various stakeholders submitted during the initial public consultation in September 2021.   About Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island   With an opening planned in 2025, the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island in Nassau, The Bahamas, will combine the island’s striking beaches with Royal Caribbean’s signature experiences to create the ultimate beach day. Alongside private cabanas, stunning pools and more, the vibrant Bahamian spirit and culture will come to life throughout the world-class beach experience. Vacationers will be welcomed by local architecture that complements the exceptional views of The Bahamas’ turquoise-blue waters and white sand beaches, along with experiences that feature Bahamian fare, island-style barbecues, live music and local artisans.   Crafted in close collaboration with the Bahamian government, the new project will feature a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership in which Bahamians will be invited to own up to 49% equity. The experience also creates opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs to manage the vast majority of the experience as well as hundreds of jobs for Bahamians across its construction and long-term operation. The 17-acre beach club will be made up of 13 acres of land owned by the cruise line and 4 acres of Crown Land. The Crown Land will be contributed as equity in the new venture to ensure a share of the profits return to the government and the Bahamian people in a first-of-its-kind agreement in The Bahamas. This, in addition to a new tourism levy, will go into reinvesting in the local community.   About Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International, owned by Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel that features the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to 240 destinations in 61 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 20 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards. Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

While the production of eggs is an important goal for the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), its primary focus is broadening the scope of knowledge, experience and exposure for institute students, farmers and "agr-preneurs" through its recently launched research and training center, according to Tyrel Young, BAMSI executive chairman.

"As an extension of BAMSI College, the center will focus on the scientific, technical and business knowledge required to operate a poultry business on a successful scale," said Young.

In preparation for the launch of BAMSI Egg Academy Poultry Research and Training Centre, BAMSI constructed a commercial-grade poultry facility equipped with the most technologically advanced, industry appropriate, environmental control systems. The facility is expected to give students the access needed to explore the process of egg production and poultry management.

From the college's perspective, the curriculum and training courses will be expanded to include poultry science and an examination of the commercial production of layers and breeders.

"Not only will we be producing eggs, but the facility will operate as a classroom for our agriculture students and registered livestock farmers to learn about nutrition, reproduction, the physiology of the birds, processing technology and livestock management," said the chairman.

The poultry research and training center will serve as host to a layers program at its farm in North Andros. The layers program, which includes some 500 Rhode Island Red Layer Chicks purchased in March, is expected to produce an estimated 1.5 million eggs annually, according to Young.

The layers program will eventually be joined by a brooding facility, which will also provide a space for technical training and academic support for BAMSI students, licensed poultry farmers and "agri-prenuers."

Eggs produced through the program are expected will initially be sold in New Providence and Andros, with additional poultry facilities expected to be constructed on other family islands before the end of the year.

At the beginning of 2023, egg prices escalated to record highs with the cost of a dozen approximating $10.

Recent global events which resulted in the disruption in shipping and escalating the cost of food, also drove home the need to build a secure agricultural sector.

The Government's goal is to reduce the country's reliance on foreign imports and downgrade the billion-dollar footprint that is draining the national economy.

"With global events having such a huge impact on our local market, our mandate becomes even more pressing. BAMSI has a responsibility to address the issue of food security actively and adequately through as many channels at its disposal.

Alaasis Braynen, CEO and general manager for BAMSI, said the institute is looking forward to creating a brooding facility where eggs will be hatched and baby chicks sold to registered farmers.

"As the program grows, we will also be partnering with registered livestock farmers and 'agri-prenuers' to help grow their broods. The chicks and technical support which BAMSI produces for farmers will increase the number and size of local poultry operations which will have the necessary positive result for food security."

Braynen said a veterinarian will be onsite in Andros to ensure the birds, who have been vaccinated, remain healthy.