Re-structuring – 1989
From 1989 to 1996, the Institute was headed by Mr. Lennox Ballah, who was among those persons who had pioneered the concept of the IMA as a regional marine research organization. During his tenure as Director, Mr. Ballah was instrumental in having the organization restructured through Act 13 of 1990 which amended the original Act and replaced the two governing bodies, the Marine Affairs Council and Board of Management, with one body – a Board of Governors responsible for policy. Act 13 of 1990 made the Director and management staff responsible for the management of the day-to-day activities of the Institute. Additionally, the new legislation stressed the IMA’s Caribbean mandate and its ambit was both coastal and marine.