MARINE ACTIVITIES REPORT By: Davina Layne – Environmental Officer 21st April 2010

Overarching premise As an island most of the activities we undertake inland will impact our marine environment With this in mind some of the activities highlighted in my presentation may not be specific marine activities but are essentially educational, all in an effort to heighten the awareness of environmental issues amongst our members, strategic partners and the general public so that in essence someone coming into contact with the marine or any other environment will treat it responsibly. With this in mind I will review activities /projects/events which have been our main focus during my tenure (a period of 2 years)

Addition of the Environmental News Section in our Weekly Newsletter 1. Addition of the Environmental News Section in our Weekly Newsletter BHTA has a Weekly newsletter which serves a purpose of being an informational as well as an educational piece. This section of the fact sheet seeks to not only be an informational piece but also to highlight issues and show simple ways of being environmentally friendly and prompt persons into action. We regularly focus on coral reefs and other marine issues and Special days e.g. World Maritime Day.

2. Participation in and contribution to various policy workshops, seminars and panels re climate change and tourism; and also other environmental sessions including the LBS protocol.

3. Green team training for every member organisation and to the wider public In 2009 we embarked on a comprehensive training programme initially for members and strategic partners but this was extended to non members and the wider public. The programme covers The green team session will focus on greening as a holistic process of reducing our impact on the environment we live in, while improving our bottom line!  We can do this by: Wasting less energy Wasting less water Understanding "rethink, reduce , reuse , recycle" Understanding the importance of monitoring waste Reducing our use of chemicals and harmful substances And therefore Reducing COSTS Maintaining the environment we are selling Improving staff/guest health Improving our own image

4. Beach Walk and Talk

In collaboration with the BMT and Barbados Sea Turtle Project 5. Turtle Activity In collaboration with the BMT and Barbados Sea Turtle Project In collaboration with the BMT and Barbados Sea Turtle Project this will be held in 3 weeks. Various hotels where turtles nest along the South Coast have been identified to participate in this event. All in an effort to ensure that hotel employees know how to deal (or not to deal) with turtles

5. Beach Clean Ups Our member properties organise clean ups at various times of the year every year. Last year we also participated in the International Coastal Clean up Day in September and hope to continue this indefinitely. A Clean up will also be organised during Environment month this year. 8

West Coast Beach Restoration 6. West Coast Beach Restoration In collaboration with the BMT and Barbados Sea Turtle Project this will be held in 3 weeks. Various hotels where turtles nest along the South Coast have been identified to participate in this event. All in an effort to ensure that hotel employees know how to deal (or not to deal) with turtles 9

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6. Other We regularly promote marine and other activities of other agencies (Coastal Zone Management Unit, Ministry of Tourism etc.) We in general this year have made a commitment to work very closely with NGOs such as BMT and The Future Centre Trust and so will participate in and promote all activities coming out of these agencies as well. 11

Thank You