Dignitaries Gather in Bahamas for Opening of MSC Foundation’s New Conservation Centre
by Marsha Mowers
The MSC Foundation is celebrating the opening of Marine Conservation Centre in Ocean Cay.
Island dignitaries gathered to celebrate the opening of the MSC Foundation’s brand-new Marine Conservation Centre at Ocean Cay in the Bahamas.
The Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Honourable Philip Davis, marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle, and MSC Foundation representatives were among those to officially inaugurate the facility. Key Cabinet ministers from The Bahamas, local Bimini Council members, other dignitaries and key stakeholders from The Bahamas were also in attendance, alongside MSC Foundation partners.
The MSC Foundation’s Marine Conservation Centre will be a base for biologists, scientists, students and island visitors alike, and will feature interactive pavilions, a lecture hall, a Bio Lab, and a land-based coral nursery.
MSC says the opening is a significant investment in the future of The Bahamas, reinforcing the nation’s leadership in marine conservation and sustainable tourism.
Its goal is to advance not only scientific research but to provide educational opportunities for Bahamian students, researches and conservationists.
“The opening of our Marine Conservation Centre marks a defining moment in our multigenerational commitment to ocean conservation,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Chair of the MSC Foundation Executive Committee. “It brings to life the MSC Foundation’s concrete plans for restoring coral reefs, advancing science, and creating training opportunities for Bahamian and international students. With the continued support of the Government of The Bahamas and local authorities, our work here is contributing to the circular economy through ecosystem preservation, regeneration, and knowledge sharing.”
The Foundation began collaborating with the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University in 2020 to develop the Super Coral Reefs Program through Florida-based graduate internships in marine science. Since 2022, they have been working with the Bahamas Department of Environmental Planning and Protection to identify and propagate hardy coral species at Ocean Cay.
