Bahamas News
PIMS and BLUEQUEST Partner to Open New Coral Nursery in Nassau
May 2, 2025—NASSAU | A vibrant new coral nursery has taken root just offshore from Nassau, creating an exciting opportunity for Bahamians and visitors to engage with marine conservation through immersive ecotourism. Born from a dynamic partnership between Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) and BLUEQUEST Bahamas, this nursery utilizes advanced micro-fragmentation techniques, enabling coral fragments to grow up to 40 times faster than natural rates.
Led by dedicated Reef Rescue Network (RRN) specialists Anwar Godet and Alex Frans, alongside BLUEQUEST founder Allison Longley, over 250 vibrant micro-fragments of endangered reef-building corals—including elkhorn and staghorn—have been carefully sourced from nearby reefs and successfully placed into the nursery.
Longley, who has dedicated her career to educating others about the importance of marine conservation says,”Sharing my passion for the ocean has been a dream come true. Connecting people through memorable snorkeling experiences and inspiring action to protect our coral reefs is incredibly rewarding.”
In addition to nurturing coral fragments, the nursery features two reef balls. These concrete structures are now home to “corals of
opportunity,” or corals that might not otherwise survive where they are living. They attract juvenile fish, enhancing biodiversity and ecological resilience. Beneath the waves, visitors can witness young coral colonies forming, teeming with colorful fish and marine life—a reminder of the potential of artificial reefs. More than just a conservation initiative, this project also introduces the interactive “Reef Rescue Snorkel Experience,” enabling participants to snorkel directly above the coral nursery. Guided by BLUEQUEST marine experts, snorkelers learn firsthand about coral species, reef ecosystems, and restoration techniques, empowering them to become ocean advocates.
“This project is about bringing people together, educating them, and inspiring them to care about coral reefs,” says Alex Frans, RRN coral restoration specialist. “When people see for themselves how incredible and important coral reefs are, they become passionate about protecting them.”
Coral reefs around the world are facing significant threats; in The Bahamas, they are particularly vulnerable to climate change, pollution,
and overfishing. Globally, healthy coral reefs support up to 25% of marine biodiversity, support food and livelihoods for 1 billion people, and protect coastlines from storms. With coral cover declining by more than 50% in recent decades, initiatives like this new nursery are essential for reversing these losses and restoring marine ecosystems.
This nursery joins more than 50 others within the Reef Rescue Network, the Caribbean’s largest coral restoration initiative, which has successfully planted over 10,000 nursery-reared corals throughout The Bahamas alone. By integrating ecotourism with scientific conservation, PIMS and BLUEQUEST foster environmental stewardship and provide direct economic benefits to local communities.
Ready to dive in? Book your Reef Rescue Snorkel Experience through @bluequestbahamas or https://live.vcita.com/site/bluequest and become part of the coral restoration story.
Photo Captions:
1st insert: The team behind Nassau’s newest coral nursery! From left to right: Anwar Godet (PIMS), Allison Longley (BLUEQUEST), and Alex Frans (PIMS) are leading the charge in coral reef restoration and community education.
2nd insert: A close-up look at the coral dome nursery, bustling with coral fragments poised for reef restoration after they grow big enough to be planted onto the nearby reef.
3rd insert: Underwater innovation at its best—coral dome nurseries provide ideal environments for accelerated coral growth.
4th insert: Reef Balls are cement-based structures that attract juvenile fish and encourage coral settlement and growth.
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
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