Source: best, 2005a

11. 
    Effectiveness of the NBSAP
    

Furthermore, the following has been identified by stakeholders as the main constraints to effective implementation of the NBSAP and integration of biodiversity into the national planning process:

• 
  Fragmented approach due to a number of persons and collective groups working to obtain individual goals which may be in line with national goals;
  
• 
  Lack of knowledge on the importance of biodiversity and what individuals can do to protect biodiversity;
  
• 
  No continuous education awareness programme on biodiversity;
  
• 
  Research remains individualized and information is not easily accessible and shared;
  
• 
  Existing policies need to be implemented and enforced, with proper follow-up;
  
• 
  No driving force to spur agency action and follow-up;
  
• 
  Inadequate resources such as manpower, funds and limited capacity of organizations; and
  
• 
  Lack of political will because biodiversity is not viewed as an economic driver.
  

12. 
    Domestic and International Funding
    

In 2009, The Bahamas established the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), which will provide funding up to US$ 50,000 for the conservation of biodiversity through specific community projects. The Bahamas SGP focuses on projects under the GEF thematic areas of Biodiversity, Climate Change and Land Degradation.

The Bahamas is viewed as having an economy of transition, making it ineligible for funding from a good number of the international organisations. The two main sources of international funding have been provided by the GEF and FAO. FAO has assisted The Bahamas with funding for agriculture, marine and water resources projects and GEF has provided funding for marine and water resources projects.

13. 
    The Way Forward: How to revise and improve implementation of the NBSAP
    

An ongoing governmental educational programme needs to be established along with a funding mechanism to sustain the programme. The educational programme should be amalgamated with the existing educational programmes undertaken by the NGOs and geared toward the general public, politicians and the school populous. The sustainable development course offered at the College of The Bahamas should be a mandatory course for all students and the environmental studies included in the school curriculum should be strengthened and expanded.

Through the gathering of information for this report, it was discovered that a great deal of research has been undertaken in The Bahamas by international counterparts for various reasons. At times specific research is carried out to assist The Bahamas, such as the coral reef monitoring in San Salvador by Earthwatch. Even though assistance is provided for research in The Bahamas, the country does not have any monitoring procedures, standards or formats for the gathering and presentation of data. Guidelines should be developed so datasets collected by different groups can be compared on the same basis. When permits are issued for research in the country, it is mandatory for researchers to submit three copies of their research to the Government of The Bahamas. A copy should be provided to the BEST Commission, the College of The Bahamas (COB) and to the relevant government agency in which the research is related. If COB is provided a copy, this would provide access to the research and a database can be created within the COB’s library for all research undertaken in the country. COB can forge ties with other organisations and encourage more students to undertake research in The Bahamas.

The following has been identified by stakeholders as issues that should be included in the NBSAP:

• 
  Development of a national biodiversity storage of genetic bank e.g. seed bank
  
• 
  Biosafety issues such as GMOs and importation of goods;
  
• 
  Relating biodiversity issues to climate change;
  
• 
  Incorporation of invasive species information;
  
• 
  Issues relating to the conservation of traditional knowledge;
  
• 
  Mechanisms for sustainable financing for institutional strengthening and research;
  
• 
  Development and implementation of management and monitoring plans for the bird reserves;
  
• 
  Re-vitalization of the Botanical Gardens;
  
• 
  Develop a monitoring system that can be updated in real time; and
  
• 
  Issues relating to carbon sinks and biodiversity.
  

14. 
    Specific information requested in COP 8 decisions
    

7. 
   Integration of biodiversity concerns in sectoral plans, policies and projects
   
   1. 
      Agriculture Resources Sector Five Year Plan
      

The specific agriculture objectives are:

• 
  Vegetable, root crop and herbs: Increase in production and productivity of selected commodities for import substitution.
  
• 
  Tree crops: Develop, expand and improve the existing tree crop production systems.
  
• 
  Ornamental horticulture: Engagement and intensification of ornamental systems in The Bahamas.
  
• 
  Livestock: Establish a system of integrated livestock production, allowing for access to markets and based on principles of sustainable development so as to improve livelihoods, food security and animal health and welfare.
  
• 
  Agro-processing: To support the cottage type processing industries in the sparsely populated Family Islands and encourage and strengthen the links between the commercial agro processors and the farming communities to minimize the periods and levels of gluts.
  
• 
  Land and water: To promote sustainable use of land and water resources in agriculture.
  

1. 
   Management Objectives of the Agriculture Sector Plan for addressing threats to agriculture biodiversity identified in Chapter 1
   

An ornamental research and development programme will be established within the Gladstone Road Agricultural Complex (GRAC) with the initial research priority being, to investigate possible invasive species pathways for importations from Florida and mites which affect the Ficus species. Recommendations from the research would be considered for improved legislation and regulatory protocols within the industry.