AGP Executive Report

Ocean Protection: Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme brought Government and tourism businesses together to discuss how the Blue Prosperity Plan could protect reefs and marine life while supporting ocean-based tourism. The plan includes a proposal to fully protect 20 per cent of Bermuda’s waters. Sargasso Sea: UK Overseas Territories Minister Uma Kumaran visits October 18–19 to sign the Hamilton II Declaration, building support for conserving the Sargasso Sea under the UN high-seas biodiversity agreement. Seabed Carbon: Scientific diver Ben Harris has collected seabed cores in Bermuda as part of a global study measuring carbon stored in ocean sediments and how disturbance or protection affects it. Hurricane Records: A National Hurricane Centre meteorologist says historical storm records are imperfect, and researchers are reassessing past hurricanes—including storms that affected Bermuda—to improve today’s understanding and forecasts.

Ocean Conservation: Bermuda and the UK will sign the Hamilton II Declaration during Minister Uma Kumaran’s October 18–19 visit, building support for protecting the Sargasso Sea. Separately, industry and Government representatives discussed a proposal to protect 20 per cent of Bermuda’s waters while supporting sustainable marine tourism. Hurricane Preparedness: At an insurance conference, former NOAA leader Nancy Hann urged the industry not to rely too heavily on AI, stressing the value of direct storm observations; a catastrophe-modelling expert also warned that models can quickly become outdated. Harbour Response: Crews responding to last month’s boat fire near Saltus Island deployed environmental protection equipment around the vessel, which later sank.

Sargasso Sea: Bermuda and Britain will seek wider backing for protecting the Sargasso Sea under the High Seas Treaty, with the Hamilton II Declaration due to be signed during a British minister’s visit next week. Climate Preparedness: Hurricane specialists warn that historic storm records are imperfect and catastrophe models can quickly become outdated — a reminder that reliable data matters as Bermuda prepares for future risks. Sustainable Finance: The Bermuda Monetary Authority is refining proposed fund sustainability disclosures, aiming to give investors clear information and curb misleading fund names. Food Resilience: A local food sovereignty series argues that agriculture needs to be presented as a viable career to young Bermudians, helping build a more self-sufficient food system. Marine Protection: Ferry and tug crews responding to a Hamilton Harbour boat fire rescued people and deployed environmental protection equipment around the damaged vessel.

Hurricane Risk: At Bermuda’s ILS conference, catastrophe-modelling expert Karen Clark warned that models more than two years old may fail to reflect changing risks. NOAA meteorologist Christopher Landsea said historic hurricane records are imperfect and are being reassessed, including data on the deadly 1922 storm that struck Bermuda. Food Resilience: Bermuda’s Food Sovereignty Forum says clearer agriculture career pathways could help young people see farming as a profession and strengthen the island’s food self-sufficiency. Marine Protection: Ferry, tug and navigation crews who responded to a boat fire near Saltus Island rescued the occupants and deployed pollution-control equipment before the vessel sank. Sustainability: Bermudian climate-risk specialist Venetia Furbert has launched a consultancy to help financial organisations put sustainability goals into practice. St Mary’s Church in Warwick also marked its 400th anniversary with a Bermuda cedar planting.

Marine Protection: Ferry, tug and navigation crews were honoured for rescuing people during a Hamilton Harbour boat fire and deploying environmental protection equipment around the damaged vessel, which later sank near Saltus Island. Youth and Conservation: Two young Bermudians are heading to Borneo and Malaysia for a ten-week Raleigh expedition that includes community and environmental projects, with opportunities to experience the region’s wildlife and natural habitats. Sustainability: Bermudian climate-risk professional Venetia Furbert has launched Sustenance, a consultancy helping financial institutions turn sustainability goals into practical strategy and action. Native Trees: St Mary’s Church marked its 400th anniversary with a ceremonial planting of a Bermuda cedar.

Youth & Conservation: Two young Bermudians are preparing for a ten-week Raleigh expedition to Borneo and Malaysia, where they will take part in community and environmental projects and experience the region’s wildlife. Bermuda Cedar: St Mary’s Church marked its 400th anniversary with the ceremonial planting of a Bermuda cedar, the island’s native tree. Harbour Protection: Ferry, tug and Aids to Navigation crews were recognised for rescuing people from a boat fire near Saltus Island and deploying environmental protection equipment around the disabled vessel, which later sank. Sustainability: Bermudian climate-risk professional Venetia Furbert has launched Sustenance, a consultancy helping financial institutions turn sustainability goals into practical strategy and action.

Marine Protection: Ferry, tug and Aids to Navigation crews were honoured for rescuing people from the burning Hakuna Matata near Saltus Island and deploying environmental protection equipment before the vessel sank. Storm Preparedness: A former leader of NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters is speaking at this week’s ILS Convergence in Bermuda about the science and missions behind weather forecasting and disaster readiness. Sustainability: Bermudian climate-risk professional Venetia Furbert has launched Sustenance, a consultancy helping insurers and financial institutions turn sustainability goals into practical strategy and action.

Storm Preparedness: A former NOAA Hurricane Hunters leader is speaking at Bermuda’s ILS Convergence this week about how weather and ocean research supports forecasting and disaster readiness. Sustainability in Finance: Bermudian sustainability professional Venetia Furbert has launched Sustenance, a consultancy helping insurers and financial institutions build sustainability into strategy, risk management and resilience.

Sustainability: Bermudian climate-risk professional Venetia Furbert has launched Sustenance, a consultancy helping insurers and financial firms build sustainability into business strategy, risk management and resilience. Ocean Conservation: Items from Jaws author and ocean advocate Peter Benchley’s collection—including Bermuda-linked memorabilia—will be auctioned to benefit WildAid and ocean education and conservation efforts.

Sustainability: Bermudian climate-risk expert Venetia Furbert has launched Sustenance, a consultancy helping financial firms turn sustainability goals into practical strategy, risk management and innovation. Ocean Conservation: Items linked to Bermuda from the late author and ocean advocate Peter Benchley are among nearly 300 pieces going to auction on October 29, with proceeds benefiting ocean and wildlife conservation groups.

Sustainability: Bermuda climate-risk professional Venetia Furbert has launched Sustenance, a consultancy helping financial firms turn sustainability goals into business strategies, risk planning and practical action. Sustainable Tourism: Tourism Minister Owen Darrell joined Caribbean leaders in Guyana to discuss a “smart, sustainable and inclusive” future for regional tourism, with Bermuda also represented by a young delegate. Ocean Conservation: Items from the late Jaws author Peter Benchley’s collection, including Bermuda-linked memorabilia, go to auction on October 29; proceeds will support ocean and wildlife conservation groups.

Sustainability: Bermudian climate-risk professional Venetia Furbert has launched Sustenance, a consultancy helping insurers and other financial firms turn sustainability goals into practical strategy, resilience and innovation. Energy: A recent opinion piece warns that Bermuda’s energy system faces serious risks, though the available report gives no further detail. Ocean Conservation: Items linked to Bermuda in the late author Peter Benchley’s upcoming auction will help raise funds for WildAid and marine education and conservation group Beneath the Sea. Regional Tourism: Bermuda’s tourism minister joined Caribbean partners in Guyana to discuss a future for tourism that is smart, sustainable and inclusive.

Sustainability: Bermudian climate-risk professional Venetia Furbert has launched Sustenance, a consultancy helping financial firms turn sustainability goals into practical strategy, risk management and innovation. Ocean Conservation: Items from late author Peter Benchley’s Bermuda collection will go to auction on October 29, with proceeds supporting ocean-conservation groups. The collection includes shipwreck artifacts recovered around Bermuda. Sustainable Tourism: Tourism Minister Owen Darrell joined regional talks in Guyana on making Caribbean tourism smarter, more sustainable and inclusive.

Sustainability: Bermudian sustainability professional Venetia Furbert has launched Sustenance, a consultancy helping organisations turn sustainability goals into business strategy, reporting and practical innovation. Ocean Conservation: Bermuda-linked shipwreck artifacts are among the Peter Benchley items going to auction on October 29; proceeds will support ocean conservation and education groups. Coastal Protection: The Royal Bermuda Regiment Coastguard is seeking two new patrol boats, specified to support environmental monitoring as well as search and rescue, safety inspections and maritime enforcement. Clean Energy: A ministerial update on a balcony solar pilot programme puts renewable energy back on Bermuda’s agenda.

Sustainable Tourism: Bermuda’s tourism minister joined Caribbean leaders in Guyana to discuss a future for tourism that is smart, sustainable and inclusive, with a Bermudian youth representative also taking part. Ocean Conservation: Items from the late Jaws author Peter Benchley’s collection—including artifacts recovered from Bermuda shipwrecks—will be auctioned on October 29, with proceeds supporting ocean conservation and education groups. Coastal Protection: The Royal Bermuda Regiment Coastguard is seeking two new patrol boats equipped for tasks including environmental monitoring, search and rescue, and maritime safety. Greener Buildings: Brookfield’s Ninety One office building is 90 per cent leased and is Bermuda’s first multi-tenant building to earn LEED Platinum certification for sustainability.

Ocean Conservation: Items from Bermuda shipwrecks are among nearly 300 Peter Benchley possessions going to auction on October 29, with proceeds supporting ocean conservation and education groups. Clean Energy: Bermuda’s energy system has been flagged for combustion risks, while a government balcony-solar pilot points to efforts to expand renewable power. Maritime Protection: The Royal Bermuda Regiment Coastguard plans to acquire two patrol vessels equipped for duties including environmental monitoring and search and rescue. Greener Buildings: Brookfield’s Ninety One office building, now 90% leased, is Bermuda’s first multi-tenant property to earn LEED Platinum certification. Transport: Bermuda had 50,560 registered vehicles at the end of 2024, up 1.1% from 2023.