The Bahamas is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) having more than 10,000 square kilometres of coastline, spread over more than 100,000 square kilometres of the Atlantic Ocean. This gives rise to an area in which countless marine and terrestrial species reside, making it an area considerably rich in biological resources.

Recognizing the value and vulnerability of this important resource, the government has taken considerable steps to support the sustainable use and management of the nation's biodiversity. As a result, The Bahamas ratified the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on September 9th, 1994.

Since becoming a party to the CBD, participation in enabling activities has allowed The Bahamas to complete the National Biodiversity Data Management Assessment in 2004, which resulted in the establishment of the National Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM) for Biodiversity Information and the CHM Website.

Because several different government and non-governmental institutions and agencies are providers and recipients of biodiversity data, this Website is a key facility for the integration of biodiversity management in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

It is the goal of this National CHM Website to allow for greater access and benefit sharing of biodiversity data and information for users within The Bahamas and others throughout the world.

Meet the National Sub-Committee on Biodiversity

The U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity

The CBD Clearing-House Mechanism

The Bahamas CBD Country Reports

National Biodiversity Policies & Legislation

Bahamas Species

National Parks and Protected Areas

Biodiversity Data Management Partners

Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network

The Bahamas Environment, Science & Technology Commission

Bahamas Ecosystems

This site has been visitedsince June1, 2005