Bermuda now has an island-based chapter of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association.

It is a proactive, marine industry-led organisation of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need to protect ocean, lake and river resources.

Founded more than 10 years ago in North America, Namepa networks, educates and mentors to increase environmental awareness and motivation of people within shipping and land-based industries and the wider community, through co-operation with international organisations and the adoption of public awareness campaigns.

Carleen Lyden Walker co-founder and executive director of Namepa and an IMO maritime ambassador was in Bermuda to congratulate the founders of the island’s chapter, which is called Bermepa,” she said.

“We are so pleased to recognise the effort and commitment of the founders to create a Bermepa,” she said.

“Bermuda is the ideal location for such an initiative as it embraces the tenets of protecting the marine environment. Further, Bermuda is home to many shipping interests who will support this important work.”

Paul Scope, Marilyn Feldman and Tammy L Richardson-Augustus, the founding members of the Bermuda Marine Environment Protection Association Ltd launched Bermepa last week.

They said it was imperative to form Bermepa in order to:

• respond to The Environmental Imperative;

• reinforce Bermuda’s commitment to protecting the marine environment;

• build community relations;

• provide a portal for industry, regulators, environmental groups and educators;

• promote the Bermuda maritime industry and its value proposition to global society.

Ms Richardson-Augustus, legal officer, confirmed that “Bermepa was incorporated as a local company limited by guarantee, and whilst it will be a not-for-profit organisation the founders do not intend to apply for charitable status.

“Bermepa is part of an international network of organisations with an interest in promoting sound environmental practices and thereby we will be able to collaborate with global leaders in industry, government, regulatory and environmental organisations committed to preserving the marine environment”.

Mr Scope, president, who conceived of the idea over two years ago hopes that Bermepa will serve as a consolidator for marine environment actions in Bermuda, adding: “We are excited to introduce an industry-driven umbrella organisation for engaging regulators, governments, conservation groups, educators.

“We look forward to forming strategic alliances with existing institutions in the marine environment protection space and encouraging effective compliance of our members with national and international laws and regulations adopted for the protection of the marine environment from pollution”.

Ms Feldman, vice-president, of Bermepa, said: “We would like to encourage persons working in the marine industry to join Bermepa so they can take advantage of the many opportunities afforded by being a chapter of Namepa. These include access to community relations programmes and educational materials and endorsement of your company through leadership and participation in industry events.”

Jamahl Simmons, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, was at the launch of Bermepa, and congratulated the new chapter.

The event was held at Willis Towers Watson’s headquarters in Hamilton.

Mr Simmons acknowledged that the formation of Bermepa continued Bermuda’s strong legacy of stewardship of the marine environment.

Other attendees at the launch included local industry founding members, along with representatives from Bermuda Business Development Agency, Bermuda Shipping & Maritime Authority, Appleby (Bermuda) Ltd, Department of Fisheries, Bermuda Zoological Society, Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences.