The Tribune

THE Government’s Forestry Unit has teamed with the Bahamas Project for Marine Conservation to host the National Mangrove Management Plan inception workshop.

The workshop, held on June 16 at the Courtyard Marriott in Nassau, brought together government agencies, conservation partners, technical experts, community representatives and other key stakeholders to support the development of a co-ordinated national framework for the conservation, restoration, sustainable management and long-term monitoring of mangrove ecosystems across The Bahamas.

The Forestry Unit, in a statement, said mangroves are among The Bahamas’ most valuable natural ecosystems, providing nursery habitats for fisheries, protecting coastlines from storm surge and erosion, supporting biodiversity and strengthening climate resilience.

It added that the development of a National Mangrove Management Plan represents an important step toward improving national co-ordination and guiding future mangrove-related actions. The workshop provided an opportunity to introduce the proposed planning process, gather stakeholder input, identify existing data and knowledge gaps, and discuss island-specific priorities, threats and opportunities.

Participants held technical presentations and break-out group discussions focused on policy, governance and sustainable finance; spatial data, GIS and monitoring; threats, pressures, restoration and management responses; and stakeholder engagement and awareness.

Danielle Hanek, acting director of the Bahamas Forestry Unit, said stakeholder participation is central to developing the National Mangrove Management Plan, particularly because this requires collaboration among government, civil society, academia, local communities and conservation organisations.

“This workshop reaffirmed the deep commitment Bahamians share to conserving our mangroves - vital national resources that protect our coasts and sustain our fishing communities,” she said.

“As the Government’s focal point for mangrove management, the Forestry Unit remains steadfast in ensuring these ecosystems are managed sustainably for the benefit of all Bahamians.

“Most importantly, this workshop ensured that as we advance the National Mangrove Management Plan, every voice is at the table, shaping a future that reflects the needs of all our islands.”

The workshop also supported ongoing data collection and information gathering for the plan, including identifying existing datasets, past and current mangrove-related projects, priority areas for conservation and restoration, community concerns and opportunities for improved co-ordination.

The Forestry Unit said the information gathered will help inform the next phases of the National Mangrove Management Plan’s development process, including technical assessments, stakeholder consultations, spatial analysis, socioeconomic considerations and the preparation of national recommendations.