A mango and an avocado tree were planted on the campus of Claridge Primary School on Wednesday, 1st November. The event was part of the Bahamas Agricultural and Marine Science Institute's (BAMSI) 'One to One Campaign,' with the objective to eventually plant a tree for each citizen in the country. 

Pictured: Chairman of BAMSI, Senator, the Hon. Tyrel Young; Representative of Urban Renewal (Marathon) Myrtle Andrews; Principal of Claridge Primary, Jenny Hutcheson; and Manager of Operations (Representing Member of Parliament for Marathon, Lisa Rahming) Lillimae Longley.  

Minister of Energy and Transport the Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis opened a three-day National Workshop on Ballast Water Management at the National Training Agency on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

Minister Coleby-Davis said, “The topic of the workshop is paramount to The Bahamas Maritime Sector and is one that transcends national borders and defines our commitment as a nation to safeguard our environment and maritime ecosystem.”

“We stand on the verge of change, ready to champion innovative solutions and chart a course towards a more sustainable future.  As Minister of Energy and Transport, I cannot overstate the importance of ballast water management in this coastal state.”

She explained that the participants in the workshop have the power to protect the country’s oceans, preserve its biodiversity, and nurture the wellbeing of its communities and those that rely on its strong maritime heritage.

According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ballast water is pumped in to maintain safe operating conditions throughout a voyage. This practice reduces stress on the hull, provides transverse stability, improves propulsion and maneuverability, and compensates for weight changes in various cargo load levels and due to fuel and water consumption.

However, the IMO states that while ballast water is essential for safe and efficient modern shipping operations, it may pose serious ecological, economic and health problems due to the multitude of marine species carried in ships’ ballast water.

These include bacteria, microbes, small invertebrates, eggs, cysts and larvae of various species. The transferred species may survive to establish a reproductive population in the host environment, becoming invasive, out-competing native species and multiplying into pest proportions.

As a member of IMO, ships registered under The Bahamas must follow the Ballast Water Management Convention.

The BWM Convention aims at preventing, minimizing and ultimately eliminating the different risks arising from the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms (e.g. Zebra mussels) and pathogens (e.g. microbes such as vibrio cholera). It requires ships to control and manage ballast water and sediments.

The workshop is facilitated by the IMO and RAC/REMPEITIC-Caribe; participants include senior officials of government agencies, along with leaders of private sector companies.

Minister of Energy and Transport the Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis opened a three-day National Workshop on Ballast Water Management at the National Training Agency on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Minister Coleby-Davis said, “The topic of the workshop is paramount to The Bahamas Maritime Sector and is one that transcends national borders and defines our commitment as a nation to safeguard our environment and maritime ecosystem.” “We stand on the verge of change, ready to champion innovative solutions and chart a course towards a more sustainable future.  As Minister of Energy and Transport, I cannot overstate the importance of ballast water management in this coastal state.” She explained that the participants in the workshop have the power to protect the country’s oceans, preserve its biodiversity, and nurture the wellbeing of its communities and those that rely on its strong maritime heritage. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ballast water is pumped in to maintain safe operating conditions throughout a voyage. This practice reduces stress on the hull, provides transverse stability, improves propulsion and maneuverability, and compensates for weight changes in various cargo load levels and due to fuel and water consumption. However, the IMO states that while ballast water is essential for safe and efficient modern shipping operations, it may pose serious ecological, economic and health problems due to the multitude of marine species carried in ships’ ballast water. These include bacteria, microbes, small invertebrates, eggs, cysts and larvae of various species. The transferred species may survive to establish a reproductive population in the host environment, becoming invasive, out-competing native species and multiplying into pest proportions. As a member of IMO, ships registered under The Bahamas must follow the Ballast Water Management Convention. The BWM Convention aims at preventing, minimizing and ultimately eliminating the different risks arising from the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms (e.g. Zebra mussels) and pathogens (e.g. microbes such as vibrio cholera). It requires ships to control and manage ballast water and sediments. The workshop is facilitated by the IMO and RAC/REMPEITIC-Caribe; participants include senior officials of government agencies, along with leaders of private sector companies.

In commemoration of 'World Food Day' (October 16), the Bahamas Agricultural and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) marked the occasion with the planting of various fruit trees on the campuses of several public schools, October 23 -- a project called 'ONE-2-ONE Tree Planting Campaign' that will continue through the months of October and November. 

BAMSI's objective is to plant trees across The Bahamas: in green spaces, public parks, and schools.  During the planting of a mangola tree  at Doris Johnson Senior High School on Prince Charles Drive, BAMSI Chairman, Senator the Hon. Tyrel Young said the objective is to promote food security: trees are a valuable source of food when they bear edible fruit. Also in attendance was Minister of State in the Ministry of the Environment, the Hon. Zane Lightbourne, who encouraged the students to plant trees in their backyards, on public parks or green spaces in their neighbourhoods.

Pictures show students assisting State Minister Lightbourne (left) and Chairman Young (centre) in planting a mangola tree on the grounds of Doris Johnson Senior High.  Also pictured is Principal, Kent Lightbourn. Other tree planting ceremonies that day were held at C.I. Gibson Junior High School and C.V. Bethel Senior High School.

In Grand Bahama, more than 40 enthusiastic volunteers got their hands dirty in a grand-scale planting on the famous Gold Rock Beach at The Lucayan National Park.

Together with the Sandals Foundation, we sought to restore this iconic beach after the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Whereas the site has been victim to invasive casuarina trees that leave it susceptible during times of natural disasters like Dorian, the 1,000 native plants that we planted will build resilience against future storms.

Read more about this restoration initiative on Grand Bahama.