BREEF & BahWen host 8th Annual Marine Conservation Workshop

The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) in partnership with The Bahamas Wildlife Enforcement Network (BahWEN) hosted its eighth week-long Marine Conservation Workshop from the 22nd to the 26th June 2026, at BahWEN Headquarters, West Bay Street. The long-term goals of the environmental education workshop were to strengthen collaboration and partnerships among law enforcement agencies, while increasing awareness and capacity for the conservation of The Bahamas’ marine environment and natural resources.

During the workshop, 30 participants from BahWEN, Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Department of Marine Resources, the Departments of Environmental Planning & Protection, Customs, Corrections, Agriculture, and Immigration, the Bahamas National Trust, and The Nature Conservancy engaged in a week of enriching experiences. The workshop featured presentations on key topics such as marine protected areas, climate change, invasive species, and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). The agenda also included in-depth discussions on fisheries regulations, led by experts from environmental

NGOs, the Department of Marine Resources, and BahWEN with a focus on the scientific principles behind the legislation. Each day, participants took part in classroom-based marine species identification, which was reinforced through practical field activities.

“BREEF is pleased to collaborate with BahWEN to host this workshop bringing together a variety of law enforcement personnel who all have a critical role to play protecting our marine heritage.” stated BREEF Executive Director Casuarina McKinney-Lambert. “A healthy marine environment is essential to sustaining our lives and way of life in our archipelago.” According to Commander Desiree Corneille, Lead Designate for the Bahamas Wildlife Enforcement Network (BahWEN), "Environmental crime does not recognize agency boundaries, and neither should our response. Every officer trained here returns to their organization with a shared understanding, a common purpose, and a renewed commitment to protecting the natural resources that sustain our

nation. Partnerships like these are how we build lasting conservation—not through individual effort, but through collective action."

Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Bahamas Education Coordinator Nina Sanchez shared: ““It is truly valuable to connect our law enforcement officers with how crucial the protection of mangroves and flats ecosystems are to the health of our fisheries. BREEF does an amazing job each year pairing classroom presentations with hands-on field experiences. During this workshop, we were able to see a small school of bonefish right off the boardwalk at Bonefish Pond National Park. It’s moments like these that highlight the importance of marine-managed areas, where you can witness socio-economically

important species like this thrive. It’s a powerful reminder that these ecosystems can continue to sustain us when we take the right steps to conserve and protect them.”

Throughout the week, participants took part in hands-on field activities, including educational snorkels at public beaches around the island. These enriching experiences offered an up-close look at the diverse marine ecosystems that make The Bahamas so unique.

One of the participants, Police Sergeant Ludwig Rolle “This Marine Conservation Workshop is very timely and important. I enjoyed the hands-on experience, and I hope to take the information I gained and share it with others.”

Another participant, T’Shura Ambrose, Chief Counsel at the Department of Public Prosecutions said “This was my first time snorkeling, and by the end, I felt more comfortable in the water. I am thinking of buying my own snorkel gear and going with a buddy because I know that is what BREEF recommends. I would rate my experience at the Marine Conservation Workshop a 100% a 10/10.”

"The Bahamas’ marine heritage one of its greatest assets,” said Louis Bacon, founder of the Moore Bahamas Foundation. “Protecting it depends on people who are prepared to work together, apply sound science and enforce the laws that safeguard these essential resources. By bringing together agencies from across the country, this workshop strengthens the relationships and expertise needed to ensure this environment remains healthy for generations of Bahamians to come. We are proud to support such an important effort.” This series of Marine Conservation Workshops provide law enforcement personnel with practical experience in Coastal Ecology, Marine Conservation, and Laws to empower participants to monitor and enforce marine resources regulations more effectively. This eighth workshop was made possible

through the generous support of the Moore Bahamas Foundation, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Builders Initiative,and Primat Foundation.

To learn more about BREEF and its work in promoting the conservation of the Bahamian marine

environment, please visit www.breef.org.