An Ocean Future for The Bahamas: Remembering, Reclaiming, Reimagining

Antonese Anthon

Ocean Queen

Antonese Anthon, the Ocean Queen, is 29 years old and the mother of Raymond Paul, the Ocean King. Antonese lives in the settlement of Arthur’s Town on Cat Island, The Bahamas. Antonese is a hard worker and a dedicated mother and spouse. As of now Antonese is a waitress at Shanna Cove Resort where she loves to interact with the guests and enjoys engaging in meaningful conversations with the guests who visit from all over the world. Antonese is in training with the Cat Island Conservation Institute to become a Certified Community Marine Scientist. She is learning how to have an appreciation for ocean life and her surroundings through the community-based conservation programs. Although she has only been involved with the work of Young Marine Explorers and the Cat Island Conservation Institute for a short period of time, it has opened up her eyes to a whole new and different world she had no idea existed.

Sumayyah Cargill

Bahamas Development Bank

Sumayyah Cargill is a Canadian-educated industrial engineer who is focused on systemic improvement and change management in the business environment. Following employment abroad as an analyst and technical writer she returned to The Bahamas and worked as Communications Specialist for the Public Financial Management and Performance Monitoring Reform Project under the Ministry of Finance. She is currently Unit Head of Strategic Development and Initiatives at the Bahamas Development Bank where she is focused on integrating Sustainable Development Frameworks into daily operations for the Bank and generating projects that combine creative financing, technical assistance, and policy advocacy for innovation in the colored economies.

Cristina Mittermeier

Co-founder, SeaLegacy & Only One

Born in Mexico, Cristina Mittermeier is a marine biologist, photographer, and writer known for her use of powerful and emotive imagery to propel conservation efforts. For the past 25 years, her work has centered on the delicate balance between human well-being and healthy ecosystems. Cristina is the co-founder of SeaLegacy, a nonprofit invested in the health and sustainability of the ocean, and of Only One.

Paul Nicklen

Co-founder, SeaLegacy & Only One

Co-founder of SeaLegacy and Only One, Paul Nicklen is a Canadian-born photographer, filmmaker, and marine biologist specializing in polar ecosystems. He has documented the beauty and the plight of our planet for over 30 years, creating an emotional connection with wild subjects in extreme conditions. For 20 years, Paul has been an assignment photographer for National Geographic.

Nikita Shiel-Rolle

Conservation biologist & climate justice advocate

Nikita Shiel-Rolle’s deep passion for the ocean, exploration, and education, coupled with her love for The Bahamas, has shaped her goals as a conservation biologist. During her undergraduate career at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science, Nikita founded Young Marine Explorers, an organization committed to conservation and youth development. Nikita is also the owner of Cat Island Mermaid, a conservation art and wellness business, and Ocean Soul Farm, a hydroponic farm start-up exploring food security solutions. A leader in driving the development of a sustainable blue economy in The Bahamas, Nikita established the Cat Island Conservation Institute with the support of a diverse group of thought leaders, in response to Hurricane Dorian which devastated the Northern Islands of The Bahamas in 2019.

Lashanti the Siren

Marine conservationist

Lashanti Jupp was born and raised on the beautiful islands of The Bahamas and has always been passionate about the marine environment. She is a marine conservationist and uses Siren Sundays, her web series, as a platform to raise awareness of environmental issues for people who are not environmentalists or conservationists. Lashanti attained a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from Barry University in North Miami, Florida, and recently completed an MPhil in Conservation Leadership at University of Cambridge. She believes the first step in conservation is breaking the myth that humans are separate from nature; humans play a key role in every ecosystem. Lashanti aspires to reconnect people with nature by saving the world, one ocean at a time, with one conversation at a time.

Lavado Stubbs

Filmmaker

Lavado Stubbs is an award-winning director and producer, born and raised in Nassau in The Bahamas. He harnessed his talents early on in his hometown before branching out to the United States via Los Angeles and Canada via Toronto. Over the years, Lavado has developed a cinematic style rooted in Bahamian culture to bring the world a visual style that has yet to be seen before. In 2014, he received the Bahamian Icon Award and firmly established his place in his country’s history while providing inspiration to the younger generation to follow their creative pursuits with all of their heart. Lavado went on to form his own production company, Conchboy Films. He has progressed the brand from a small startup to a budding creative organization, nailing work for critically acclaimed short documentaries and music videos. In addition to these achievements, Lavado and the company have seen great success through their work on short films and music videos along with commercials, documentaries, and many other multimedia projects with Bahamian companies and international artists.