The Tribune

THE Bahamas is perfectly placed to lead the way in saving the world’s oceans, a world renowned marine scientist told a gathering of scientists and conservationists on Monday night.

Speaking at the opening of the second annual Bahamas Natural History conference, American oceanographer, explorer and author Dr Sylvia Earle said the history of marine conservation efforts and the responsive attitude of successive governments mean that no country is now better placed to set an example for the rest of the world.

“The Bahamas can be the leader in showing the way to save the oceans, and by extension, our way of life,” she said. “You can do this, you can be the beacon for the world.”

What’s more, according to Dr Earle – a former National Geographic explorer-in-residence who was named Time Magazine’s first Hero for the Planet in 1998 – the timing couldn’t be better.

Acknowledging that the behaviour of human beings over thousands of years has put the future of the planet in jeopardy, Dr Earle said despite this, there is now more hope than ever.

“New technologies allow us to explore and exploit more, but with that comes new responsibilities,” she said.

“The Economist (magazine) and others are now looking at oceans with new eyes, with new respect. This new interest is like having a new beginning.”

And, she told government officials in attendance, including Prime Minister Perry Christie: “You have a chance as leaders in terms of valuing natural history, to put in place policies that have an impact.

“A chance to take the policies we have to protect land resources and extend them to the sea.”

The Prime Minister, who spoke after Dr Earle, responded to her challenge, telling those in attendance that his government is exploring several ways of further enhancing environmental protection.

Just last week, he said, Cabinet ministers met with scientists from the University of Miami to discuss possible research projects in the Bahamas, and how the results could be used to inform public policy going forward.

Mr Christie also pointed to the Agricultural and Marine Science Research Institute now under construction in Andros as evidence of his government’s commitment to ocean conservation.

The 2014 Bahamas Natural History Conference (BNHC) is taking place this week 2014 at the Harry C Moore Library at the College of the Bahamas .

Like the inaugural conference held in March 2013, it has attracted local and international researchers, educators, natural resource managers, students and naturalists.

This year’s theme for the conference is ‘Discovering our Ephemeral Isles’ which was inspired by the book ‘The Ephemeral Islands’, the definitive natural history book about the Bahamas.