Size Matters single release

Friday, June 25th was an exciting time for us here in Abaco and for the campaign. This was the big day to release the long anticipated campaign song. It is titled none other than 'Size Matters'. Geno D. the artist who recorded  the lyrics penned by yours truly was on hand to lend support at we talked briefly about the campaign over the airwaves of Radio Abaco 93.5 fm, the local radio station on Abaco. Geno D. talked about his excitement to be involved in the project and how he himself has learned so much by partnering with us on the recording of the song. He even mentioned that he can visualize a female singer also singing the song. The DJ was quite impressed and in the closing remarks asked how can businesses sponsor the campaign and join in! I hope that this was the open door for more support of our campaign. I left a few copies of the single at the radio station for them to give away as giveaways during the day.

How do you get fishermen to change their ways?

My campaign focusses on reducing juvenile fishing of Spiny Lobsters in Abaco. Initially I thought the task would be overwhelming and my message unreceptive to fishers as I am female and know nothing about fishing other than wanting to eat from a fresh catch. So when I started working with fishermen I had to think of a creative way to engage them without having them ignore my message. I decided the best way was to call public community meetings with fishermen using visual media to create attention. I had a local designer make a floating banner for my fishermen's meetings that were displayed in various communities at least one week prior to the meeting date with a key message: "Come and find out how you can be a responsible fisherman and improve your catch.

Campaign Mascot visits local schools

The month of May was a very busy month for our campaign mascot Spike. Spike was busy visiting local schools in Abaco as a follow up from the Earth Day Science Fair in April. Schools that won prizes at the science fair did not recieve prizes on that day so it gave another opportunity for local students to be exposed to the campaign's message and be greeted by our mascot. This created great exposure for Spike as the local media covered the school visits in the print media and on the locals TV station. During these visits I gave a brief talk to schools in which teachers and students gathered in full school assemblies. My talk consisted on information to increase knowledge of local lobster populations, their life cycle, seasons and size limits. Students and teachers alike were amazed to find out that it could take up to seven years for one lobster to reach maturity.

Campaign Song

Earth Day Science Fair for local schools

Our annual Earth Day Science fair was a huge success. More than 400 students, teachers and parents all came out to support local school students as they competed in one of four categories. The theme for this year was: "Conserving Abaco's Lobster Populations Now & for the Future".

Conversation with local fishermen

                  On a recent visit to Moore’s Island (a remote fishing community south of mainland Abaco), I met with fishermen to talk about the “Size Matters” campaign. This fishing community has some unique challenges. Most of the income of persons on this island is derived from the fishing industry.

Size Matters Key Chain Tape Measures & Pens

These key chain tape measures will be given out to the public as a measuring tool to measure lobster tails in Abaco. They are light weight and come in two colors, yellow and blue. The campaign logo is attached on the top side of the tape.

Size Matters campaign materials

When I asked persons in the community what the minimum legal size was for lobster tails in the Bahamas, most of them quickly said "5 1/2 inches" which is correct. However when I asked them to show me what 5 1/2 inches looks like, most persons couldn't. These pens will be given out to the community for them to use when they sit down in a restaurant, go to a homecoming or a community social event in which lobster tails are sold. The message says "It is easy for me to measure". They will be able to quickly grab their pens and measure them up to a lobster tail as these pens measure the minimum legal size of 5 1/2 inches. 

Measuring lobster tails in Abaco Island to conserve the species

Earth Day Science Fair

I am really excited about the momentum that my campaign is gaining. I reflect back to the initial training sessions and the many unanswered questions that had my head spinning. I had no idea at the time that in such short time, this campaign would have gained so much buy in, not just from the local Abaco community but even those in the nations capitol and the rest of the Bahamas. Tommorrow is Friends of the Environment's annual Earth Day Science Fair. Each year we host this fair which attracts local schools from all over the island. Students compete in one of four categories grom grades 1-12. Our theme this year is "Conserving Abaco's Lobster Populations Now & for the Future". I am always excited about this event, because this is the time when students get to showcase their expertise by conducting their own mini experiments, showcase their research skills and abilities to speak to a panel of judges about their projects with confidence and knowledge.