The Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme Hosts Second Webinar Featuring a Briefing from Partnership Principals

Mark your calendars to join the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme (BOPP) on Thursday, December 9th at 6pm AST for the second installment of its free virtual public webinar series, B.E.A.C.H.—the BOPP Environmental Awareness Chat Hour. This series is designed to share with the broader island community a variety of topics related to BOPP, including perspectives from diverse ocean users; science-based and public processes that help BOPP balance the needs of human uses and the natural environment; and local research being conducted in coastal and offshore ecosystems.

The upcoming episode of B.E.A.C.H., a “BOPP Principals Briefing,” will feature the three BOPP Principals: Ted Waitt, Founder and CEO of the Waitt Institute; the Hon. Minister Walter Roban, JP, MP, Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs; and Dr. William Curry, CEO and President of the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS).

Weldon Wade, BOPP’s Communications Coordinator, will moderate the event. “I’m honored to be hosting this special episode of B.E.A.C.H. alongside BOPP’s Principals,” he said. “This is a great opportunity to share the history of this partnership, some of our key activities and achievements to date, and to hear insights from the individuals key to the creation of BOPP.”

Discussion will touch on a variety of topics, including the Waitt Institute’s multifaceted approach to creating effective ocean plans; the role of marine spatial planning in identifying areas of ocean risk; the importance of clean energy alternatives for island nations; the recent COP26 Climate Summit; the value of a participatory process in developing sustainable ocean plans; how Bermuda can leverage the ocean as its biggest fixed asset; and the role that BIOS plays as source for experiential education opportunities for Bermuda’s high school and college-level students.

“Our contributions, whether in collaboration with the Government of Bermuda or with international partners, means that Bermuda continues to be a hub of scientific and educational activity that contributes to our understanding of threats to the ocean and the increasing risks posted by climate change,” Curry said. “BOPP will ensure this legacy lives on by leveraging current scientific understanding to preserve marine biodiversity for both its intrinsic environmental benefit, and its socioeconomic value. BIOS is pleased to be part of this initiative that will no doubt serve as a model for other countries around the world.”

This is a free virtual event for the public. Register online at www.facebook.com/BermudaOceanProsperity and follow BOPP @BermudaOceanProsperity on Facebook and Instagram to get more updates.

About BOPP
Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme is an inclusive initiative to support sustainable growth of our ocean economies while maintaining the health of the ocean from now into the future. Led by the Government of Bermuda, in collaboration with the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences and the Waitt Institute, this partnership has vowed to identify sustainable economic growth possibilities for ocean industries like fishing and tourism, as well as create a binding marine spatial plan to sustainably manage Bermuda’s ocean environment. The partnership also commits to preserving 90,000 square kilometers (50,000 square miles) of Bermuda’s waters as fully protected fisheries replenishment zones to support ocean livelihoods well into the future.