The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Government will next week launch public consultations on the first attempt to develop an integrated National Maritime Policy covering the Bahamas’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The consultation documents, released by the Government this week, seek feedback on a variety of issues, such as the absence of “overarching legislation” for the maritime industry; “under-representation of Bahamians” in the cruise industry; how to combat poaching and the protection of the marine environment; and climate change.

“The purpose of the National Maritime Policy is to establish a framework that can guide the planning and development of maritime activities in a rational and sustainable manner for the social and economic development of the Bahamas,” the National Maritime Policy consultation document said.

“This policy is the basis for effective co-ordination among all government agencies with responsibility for maritime and ocean affairs, and the harmonisation of national actions in relation to the marine resources of the Bahamas.”

It added that the National Maritime Policy would cover “the coastline and all marine and archipelagic waters within the 200 nautical mile limits of the exclusive economic zone of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas”.

The ultimate goal, according to the consultation document, is to support ongoing economic activity; ensure the maritime industry’s economic development and expansion, both locally and internationally; protect the marine environment; and ensure the safety of vessels in Bahamian waters.

How in-depth such a policy is remains to be seen, but the Bahamian maritime industry represents a ‘third pillar’ for the economy - if all its different parts are pulled together.

While a major employer and economic activity generator, the Bahamian maritime sector has traditionally operated in silos.

Sectors such as fisheries, maritime careers, the shipping registry, and businesses such as the Grand Bahama Shipyard, Bradford Marine, Freeport Container Port, Arawak Cay port and New Providence-headquartered shipping companies have all tended to operate as isolated, disparate parts that rarely bind together.

Given the Bahamas’ dependence on the sea, and its historic traditions, it appears the Government has recognised this situation to be unacceptable.

Among the questions posed in the consultation document are whether there should be a single piece of legislation to govern marine environment management.

The paper acknowledges: “There is currently no overarching legislation dealing with maritime activities and The Bahamas does not have a marine licensing regime, other than for fishing.

“The security of marine resources from illegal and unregulated exploitation is a major concern for the Bahamas.”

The consultation also seeks feedback on the skill sets necessary to grow the Bahamian maritime industry, and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to the sector.

“The development of an ocean-based economy will depend to a large extent on the availability of relevant skill sets to respond to the needs of the market. Identifying future skills needs and market demand trends is critical to achieving the stated visions and goals,” the consultation document admits.

“The Government of the Bahamas has identified the need to diversify economic sectors in the Bahamas, and in this context is keen to promote the ‘ocean economy’ as a way of diversifying the economy and creating employment opportunities.

“The Government recognises that the ocean offers further potential for economic benefits to be derived from the sea - both from living and non-living resources - and there is a need to explore ways of realising this potential.”

The consultation paper also seeks Bahamian views on maritime industry investment strategies; incentives to get more Bahamians involved in the sector; the fees and levies charged on the industry; and promoting this nation as a yachting and maritime destination.

“The maritime sector contributes significantly to the country’s foreign exchange earnings from both cargo and cruise shipping activities,” the consultation document said.

“Some sectors, such as the cruise ship industry, employ significant numbers of people, but Bahamians are significantly underrepresented in this industry, despite it being a mainstay of the local economy and the fact that the Bahamas is the single largest flag for cruise ships.”