Business

In response to what they feel as moves by a “completely unacceptable” regulatory body (the Bahamas Fly Fishing Industry Association [BFFIA]), the Abaco Fly Fishing Guides Association (AFFGA) formally requested that the Department of Marine Resources to abandon installing the BFFIA as the regulators for the entire industry.

The Department of Agriculture offered a beekeeping workshop in Abaco on March 20. Together with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Department of Cooperatives, the Starlight Foundation and Gold Stream Ltd, the workshop was held on two separate days.

Abaco real estate veteran Chris Farrington has rejoined Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty as their broker in Green Turtle Cay, Abaco.

Molly McIntosh returns “Home” to manage Bluff House Beach Resort & Marina.

Colors by the Sea Restaurant and Bar was introduced to Abaco on February 5 by owner Jennifer Duncombe. Already, it is becoming a favourite among locals and visitors who’ve left online five-star reviews about the friendly staff, excellent food and good prices.

Choice Hotels International’s Ascend Collection of independent properties has added the 25-room Hope Town Harbour Lodge in Abaco to its portfolio.

Two marine research scientists spent eight days on Abaco from 29 February to March 8 in conjunction with a multi-year study being conducted across the entire Bahamas. This was the first time on Abaco for researcher Liz Wallace of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida though Chris Haak of the University of Massachusetts has been here before working on other tagging projects.

An online petition in favour of a banking ombudsman for The Bahamas has garnered 1106 signatures from as far away as the United Kingdom, spanning islands throughout the Caribbean, The Bahamas, the United States and Canada as of press time. In that time, a successful town meeting held on March 12 saw an outpouring of support for Spicer while people shared their own banking horror stories. The case has also gained the attention of international, national and local media outlets.

The Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) held their annual financial services conclave at the Pavilion at Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour on March 11 through 12 where senior officers of financial institutions discussed strategies to make the industry more competitive.

A meeting for persons of the entire South Abaco community (which includes Cherokee Sound, Casuarina Point, Bahama Palm Shores, Schooner Bay, Crossing Rocks and Sandy Point) was held on February 26 in the Crossing Rocks Primary School. The goal of the meeting was for the South Abaco community to meet with persons from Schooner Bay Ventures Limited to discuss differences that had risen and make plans for the way forward.