Melisa Bent-Hamilton and Dr. Anthony Husemann

Biography

Melisa Bent-Hamilton graduated from the University of the West Indies in 2002 with a BSc. in Hotel Management. Currently, as a graduate student at the International College of the Cayman Islands, she is very involved in college activities and has been elected as one of the Student Representative for the Academic Council Board at ICCI. With over 10 years’ experience at working in the hospitality industry, she has been afforded several leadership and managerial roles, but her true passion lies in teaching.

As a native of Jamaica where her son and husband reside, she has worked and lived in the Cayman Islands for the past two years, and has been active in several groups including her church community.

Dr. Tony Husemann attended St. Mary's College, Maryland, on a National Merit Special Scholarship in 1973, where he majored in biology and minored in mathematics, graduating with honors in 1976 with a B.Sc. degree. From there he attended Bowling Green State University’s graduate programme in biology, but fell in love with teaching and moved to California in 1978 to pursue post-baccalaureate studies in Life Science Education at Sonoma State University. He subsequently earned a Ryan Single Subject Teaching Credential in 1983, and taught in California public schools from 1980-84, and from 1984 to 1988 in a Cayman Islands high school.

Husemann continued his education at Columbia International University, South Carolina, 1988- 1990. He then transferred to the University of South Carolina to complete a masters of education in adult education, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1991.

Returning to the Cayman Islands, he served as principal of another local high school, and after several more years of teaching and school leadership, Husemann moved on to Calvary Christian Academy (CCA), Ft. Lauderdale, where he taught science from 2003-2008. He also earned a PhD in management and organizational development, graduating summa cum laude from Capella University, St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2006, following which he served as Calvary Christian Academy’s academic administrator, from 2007-08. At present he is the director of graduate studies at the International College of the Cayman Islands, where he has been since 2008.

Article Title

Support for the Sustainable Management of Coral Reefs and Mangroves in the Cayman Islands by Quantifying Their Economic Value

Abstract

Coral reefs and mangroves are not only integral to the marine ecosystem in the Cayman Islands as they provide a variety of services such as fisheries, storm protection, and tourism, but more importantly, they are what the island is built upon. However, the impacts from a combination of human activities, from fishing to pollution, and increasing temperatures from global warming could potentially see the end of the coral reefs and mangroves. The aim of this research paper is to provide a rationale for increased investment in the protection of Cayman Islands’ coastal ecosystems, and to explore sustainable ways to finance coastal and marine conservation. Both empirical and theoretical investigations carried out in this study will assess the values of tourism, fisheries, shoreline protection, and other coastal ecosystem services. Support for its sustainable management should ultimately increase the chances of these effects being taken into account in decision making as it is cheaper to save the coral reefs and mangroves now than in ten years (or less) when they, and also our island, are gone.

Schedule


A detailed schedule may be found HERE
Book Fair and Cultural Exhibits 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Keynote Reception 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Conference Opening 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm


Morning Session 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
(Includes a 10-minute coffee break)
Luncheon & Cultural Interlude 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm
Afternoon Sessions 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
4:15 pm - 7:00 pm
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Book Fair / Historical and Cultural Exhibits Continue 9:00 am – 5:30 pm


Morning Session 9:00 am – 11:15 am
Luncheon & Cultural Interlude 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Afternoon Sessions 12:20 pm – 3:20 pm
3:40 pm - 5:10 pm
Book Fair / Historical and Cultural Exhibits Continue 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Closing Plenary and Cocktail Reception 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

*Plenaries will be scheduled during morning and luncheon sessions.

Persons whose papers have been accepted present on Day Two and Three of the conference.