EXPLAINS PROCESS – Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, Hon. Michael Pintard (left) listens intently as Sam Teicher, Coral Vita Co-Founder, explains the process of growing corals at the Coral farm in Freeport, Grand Bahama, during the Minister’s tour of the facility on Friday, March 12, 2021. BIS Photo/Andrew Miller
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FREEPORT, Grand Bahama - Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. Michael Pintard reiterated the government’s commitment to growing the Blue Economy, while seeking out different ways to take advantage of the Bahamas’ marine environment, as well as the country’s waterways inland.
He pointed out that in its efforts to grow the Blue Economy, the government has developed a number of important partnerships, with the most strategic being presently with the Food and Agriculture Organization, allowing the Bahamas to become a part of a broader Caribbean effort.
The Minister’s comments came during a tour of the Coral Vita facility in Freeport, Grand Bahama on Friday, March 12, 2021. Coral Vita is a coral farm in Grand Bahama with one objective – to help restore critical coral reefs in The Bahamas.
The company’s proposed project will address the impacts of climate change on marine resources. It will support SDG 13: climate action through sustainable marine practices, conducted during reef restoration.
“What we’re seeing today is an extremely important dimension of the ‘Blue Economy’ and the work that is being done by Coral Vita, we believe, has implications not just for the development of The Bahamas, but for the region and globally,” said Minister Pintard.
“So, we believe that it is important that we participate in research efforts that hold significant potential for the Bahamas.”
HOLDS SEA URCHIN – Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister, the Hon. Michael Pintard holds a sea urchin in his hand during a tour of the Coral Vita facility on Friday, March 12, 2021. Minister Pintard noted that the work that is being carried out at Coral Vita is substantial in helping to restore the coral reefs of The Bahamas. BIS Photo/Andrew Miller
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Minister Pintard noted that over the past several years, the government has entered into strategic partnerships with non-governmental agencies locally and other institutions that are engaged in serious research.
He called the work being carried out at Coral Vita “serious and fun research”, because at the end of the day, it will attract young Bahamians who would learn the craft and replicate the work that is being done at Coral Vita.
“We take it very seriously that internship opportunities be created for Bahamians, so that we can grow expertise in a wide range of areas,” said Minister Pintard.
“The reality is we are not a small island state, but rather a big ocean state. The Bahamas extends from the tip of Florida, all the way to Cuba. The majority of this country is in fact water. So, our sustainability as a nation depends on protecting the marine environment.
“We are happy to partner with Coral Vita; this is also one component of the Marine Blue Action Lab, which is a collaborative effort between the Government of the Bahamas and the Grand Bahama Port Authority and a host of multi-lateral organizations, NGOs and financiers, who are interested in creating a space, where a variety of companies, such as this, can live and operate in the same eco-system.
“So, for lack of a better term, we are seeking to pursue a model similar to Silicon Valley, where technology is the mantra or the title under which various businesses are developed. Well, we have an opportunity in Grand Bahama to create a space where companies from around the world, non-governmental agencies and universities, can come under one space, share ideas, share best practices that are being developed elsewhere, so that we can essentially save the planet.”
