government’s support for the BNT.
Pointing
out that the 18 new protected areas announced last year were aimed
at ensuring the sustainability of Bahamian marine resources,
he acknowledged the work of the BNT, in partnership with others, to
identify further areas for protection.
Experts consider the
establishment of a wide network of marine protected areas as critical to
the survival of many commercial fishery species.
In his annual
report to the members, President Glinton pointed out that 2015 would
be remembered for the expansion of the Bahamian protected area system,
outstanding corporate support for the BNT, and the 20thanniversary of
the the Discovery Club whichhas grown from a single club to 60 since
1996.
Officers re-elected at the Bahamas National Trust’s Annual General Meeting on April 14. From left: Allistair Chisnall, honorary secretary; Janet Johnson, deputy president; Lawrence Glinton, president; and Simon Townend, honorary treasurer. Chisnall is a partner at the law firm Graham Thompson & Co; Townend is a parter at the international accounting firm KPMG. Johnson is a senior director at the Ministry of Tourism, and Glinton is a senior executive at Pictet Bank & Trust Bahamas Ltd.
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“The new parks and protected areas declared last August
achieved the protection of over10 per cent of our near shore and marine
environment,”Glinton said, "which moves us closer to our national goal
of protecting 20 per cent of these areas by the year 2020.”
At the BNT Council meetings held on the
Friday and
Saturday
following the AGM, Lawrence H.Glinton and Janet Johnson were
re-elected as president and deputy president respectively. Glinton is a
senior executive at Pictet Bank and Trust Limited and Johnsonis a
senior director at the Ministry of Tourism. Alistair Chisnall, partner
at Graham Thompson & Co, and Simon Townend, partner at KPMG were
also returned as Honourary Secretary and Honourary Treasurer
respectively.
The entire BNT Council consists of 29 members (15
elected and 14 appointed)who represent various government and
scientific organizations both locally and in the United States.