The Bahamas Postal Services has released a set of colourful marine-themed commemorative postage stamps to mark the 20th anniversary of the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF).
Founded by the late Sir Nicholas Nuttall in 1993, BREEF is a non-profit foundation that addresses ongoing concerns on the changing conditions of the Bahamian marine environment.
The underwater images on the stamps were taken by BREEF, Stuart Cove Dive Bahamas, Sandy Voegeli, Grant Johnson, and Katie Grudecki.
Casuarina Lambert-McKinney, executive director at BREEF explains the vision and mission goals for BREEF.
“Our vision for The Bahamas is one in which people appreciate the value of our seas and where all take responsibility and action to ensure a healthy marine environment for the future. BREEF recognises that a healthy sea supports our culture anniversary of and economy, and makes The Bahamas a truly special place in the world,” she said.
“There is a tremendous diversity of life to be found on Bahamian coral reefs, seagrass beds, sand flats, mangrove creeks and in the open ocean. It is therefore essential for BREEF to advocate daily for the sustainable use of the marine environment through education, research and environmental policy.”
BREEF was involved in creating last year’s now popular, definitive marine life stamp issue and it is hoped that this new commemorative issue of 15, 50, 65 and 70 cent stamps will help create the need for further public awareness of the marine environment both in The Bahamas and abroad.
Two of the new stamps feature the Nassau Grouper, a now endangered species that has experienced severe population decline throughout the region.
The oceans of The Bahamas constitute over 95 per cent of Bahamian territory.
BREEF is a known advocate for an annual closed season for the iconic Nassau Grouper during its winter breeding period.
The push for the closed season was based on scientific evidence of population collapses throughout the region due to overfishing.
BREEF is now calling on the government to implement a fixed closed season for the Nassau Grouper in order to protect the species and the fishing industry.
The closed season traditionally runs during the spawning season from December 1 until February 28, to allow the fish to reproduce.
BREEF is calling urgently for the announcement of this year’s Nassau Grouper closed season.
