Zoya Faessler

Activists protest dolphinariums in Turks and Caicos

The Turks and Caicos Islands have long been considered a haven for wild dolphins and whales, with laws forbidding their confinement. So a proposal to establish dolphinariums on two islands in the archipelago has been met with a storm of protest.

When Jamaica-based Dolphin Cove’s plans to build the attractions in TCI first became public in 2012, thousands signed a petition demanding the application be thrown out, and planning chiefs were bombarded with more than 100 angry letters from across the globe.

Further contention erupted when it emerged that the TCI governor had amended regulations to allow marine mammals to be kept for display, exhibition and performance.

The BBC reports that then Governor, Ric Todd, lauded the economic boost he said would “significantly complement” the British Overseas Territory’s tourism offerings.

Todd was not alone.

Many residents in Grand Turk welcome the fiscal stimulation they believe will be triggered by the facility, which recently secured outline planning permission.

But for its opponents – still staunch after a three-year fight – the real battle is just beginning.

The BBC reports notes Barbara Young, of environmental non-government organisation Pride, argues that tourists who visit dolphin parks are often ignorant of the animals’ plight.

Young, who campaigned for the release of some of the UK’s last remaining captive dolphins into the waters of TCI, has been campaigning for dolphins for decades. She alleges that dolphins are routinely fed medication to prevent stress-induced ulcers and given regular invasive endoscopies to monitor their condition.

This assertion is backed by a World Animal Protection/Humane Society of the United States report called ‘The Case Against Marine Mammals in Captivity’, which states that cetaceans in captivity are routinely given antibiotics and ulcer medications, and are in need of vitamin supplements because they are being fed nutrient-deficient frozen fish and have a history of premature death from a variety of causes.

The BBC notes that, for many dolphins, enclosure sizes are less than one percent of their natural habitat range.

The BBC reports also notes one of the most outspoken critics of building dolphin parks here in the TCI, is Former Director of the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs, Kathleen Wood, who described the “exploitation of dolphins for economic gain” as “the moral equivalent of slavery.”

by Zoya Faessler

Fishermen discards could increase prevalence of turtle disease in Turks and Caicos

Fishermen in the Turks and Caicos Islands could be increasing the local prevalence of a disease that is affecting turtle populations worldwide, by selectively harvesting healthy creatures and the throwing back infected animals.

That’s the result of a research led by the University of Exeter which surveyed green turtles in the Caribbean waters around the Turks and Caicos Islands (a UK Overseas Territory). The country regulates a small, legal fishery for the globally endangered species.

The research is published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science and supported by the Marine Conservation Society, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) in the UK and the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The team surveyed cases of green turtle fibro-papil-loma-tosis disease, which creates unsightly pink tumours on the turtles' flesh. Although benign, they can impede turtles' vision and movement, as well as feeding, swimming and organ function. The virus is not thought to be dangerous to humans.

Over two years, around 13 per cent of green turtles found in waters had the disease. In contrast, fishermen did not land any diseased turtles during this period, even though they were fishing in areas where diseased animals were prevalent.

Dr. Tom Strin-gell, from the University of Exeter's Centre for Ecology and Conservation, on the Penryn Campus, said: "Most of the fishermen they spoke to said they had caught diseased turtles, but said they didn't want to eat turtles with tumours, so they threw them back. 

“We know a lot about the consequences of culling diseased creatures to take them out of the general population, and this practice has the opposite effect, effectively increasing the proportion of diseased animals in the population," Dr. Strin-gell said.

Dr. Annette Broderick, from the University of Exeter's Centre for Ecology and Conservation, on the Penryn Campus, said: "Although green turtles are classified as globally endangered, as a result of centuries of over harvesting, many populations are now recovering and eating turtles may well become more common in the future. “Monitoring this disease is therefore important for both wildlife conservation and future issues relating to food and human health," she said.

"Our study suggests that fishers' choice may have local impacts on their target species. However, the large Caribbean green turtle nesting populations that contribute to the stock of young turtles in Turks and Caicos Islands waters are increasing,” said Dr. Peter Richardson, Biodiversity and Fisheries Programme Manager of the Marine Conservation Society. 

“This well-regulated fishery is relatively small compared to other turtle fisheries in the region, so the impact of the fishery on Caribbean green turtle populations is likely to be negligible," Dr. Peter Richardson added.

by Zoya Faessler

Another Student Benefits from TCHTA's TCI Hospitality Adventure Programme

During his high school years Cydacio Morgan realised he had a passion for cooking and signed up for TCHTA's Hospitality Adventure Summer Lit'l Chefs Programme in 2013, an opportunity which has propelled his future in Culinary Arts.

The former Lit'l Chef who is currently studying at Manchester Open-shaw College and pursuing a programme in Catering and Hospitality, is grateful for the recent donation of $1,000 by TCHTA through its Hospitality Adventure Programme, which gives him an opportunity to fulfill his culinary dreams.

"This is what we hoped for when we implemented the Summer Programme," noted Stacy Cox, TCHTA's Executive Director while presenting a cheque to Cydacio's father. "A programme which allows students to hone their skills in the hospitality field and proves to them that their dreams of becoming top Chefs, hoteliers, mechanical engineers etc can be achieved," she added.  

Cox also added, "After participating in the 2013 Programme Cydacio was afforded the opportunity to intern at Seven Stars Resort for 6 weeks then went on to work at Parrot Cay Resort for almost 2 years where he was welcomed as part of the team. We are so grateful that these resorts along with countless others as well as many local businesses continue to come on board and participate in our annual Hospitality Adventure Summer Programme giving kids like Cydacio an opening into the Tourism and Hospitality world."

Cydacio departed the island before he was able to collect the donation but sent a message through his father who collected the cheque on his behalf, "Pursuing a career in Culinary Arts is not easy but is worth it. I love what I do and I will not stop and am truly grateful for all the opportunities I have received in my drive to become one of the Top Chefs in the TCI."

by Zoya Faessler

Digicel Partners with National Church of God to host Annual Back to School Event

For the second year, Digicel has partnered with the National Church of God, headed by Pastor Branford E. Dean, to host the annual Back to School event, for 2015. 

Held at the Alice and Alice Shopping Center on Sunday August 30th, the event, in its 10th year, was organised as a means of giving back to the community, particularly to needy kids whose parents find it difficult to provide some of the basic essentials for school.

The Back to School event is also designed to be a time of entertainment and enrichment with acts such as a children’s gospel rap contest, pantomime dancing, praise teams & other gospel performances.

As partners, Digicel provided Barbers, who spent the evening providing haircuts free of charge for young boys who were gearing up for the first day of school; as well as providing a contribution to assist with the purchase of school kits, back packs and pencil cases with all the basic essentials.

Head of Marketing at Digicel, Trina Adams said “Digicel is always pleased to assist in efforts that give back to our communities in a meaningful way. This initiative by Pastor Dean is a tremendously worthy cause and helps to alleviate some of the financial burden that many families find difficult to bear, especially at this time of the year.”

Organiser, Pastor Branford E. Dean said of the event, “This event was envisioned by my wife 10 years ago. We had partnered with other local churches and organizations in the past, and each year the event grew in support. We are happy that Digicel continues to partner with us. We secured over 1400 school bags and a number of other school supplies, which we have given away as a way of helping our community.” 

by Zoya Faessler

PREMIER EWING REBUKES GOVERNOR BECKINGHAM’S REFERENCE TOTHE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AS HAVING CONCERNS FOR TERRORISM

The Governor in his press release last week communicated that he was instructed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to instruct the Chief Financial Officer to use his powers under the Constitution and Chief Financial Officer’s Ordinance to authorize an additional $2.2M to fund security cost for SIPT. 

My Government is on record condemning this action, which, while being within the legal authority of the Governor and CFO, is considered by my Government to be an abuse of power and without proper justification. Even though I have demanded I am yet to receive any information about any threat to national security or the security of any members of the SIPT that warrants such exorbitant additional expenditure. 

The only threat to national security that I am aware of is the constant threat of illegal immigrants and poachers traversing our maritime borders engaging in illegal fishing, and trafficking of human, guns and drugs. Such funding is better spent on the procurement of marine defense vessels and manpower to defend our boarders from these illegal activities, a responsibility that the UK Government has constantly shunned. 

The Turks and Caicos Islands is a peaceful nation of friendly people that enjoys some of the lowest crime rates globally, and we should not be compared to other countries where acts of terrorism abound. I condemn this characterization by the Governor and demand his retraction and clarification of this outlandish and unwarranted statement. The SIPT has been operating in these islands for the last five years without incident, at the expense of the tax payers of this country, and they seem to be no further ahead than when they started but they certainly are richer. 

The Turks and Caicos Islands’ House of Assembly, in previous sittings has appropriated funding for the SIPT and now, so too has the CFO and without the approval of Cabinet or House of Assembly, and in all of these instances, my Government’s calls for accountability and transparency for the expenditure of the people’s money have been blatantly ignored by the Governor, the CFO and the Commissioner of Police. This is surely not an example of good governance.  We have a right to know how much of the tax payers money is being spent and what specifically it is being spent on. We do not seek to compromise the investigations but making that information available after the trials have ended is totally unacceptable and we will therefore not approve another “red cent” for SIPT. 

Since coming to office in 2012 I have made representation to the UK Secretary of State, the FCO and DFID, both in writing and in person requesting them to assume the responsibility for the funding of the SIPT, as previously recommended by the UK Foreign Affairs Committee and Chief Prosecutor Helen Garlick, and the UK Government has consistently refused to accept its responsibility as a sovereign nation and provide support to these islands, but instead insists on providing employment and financial opportunities for the British on the backs of tax payers in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The economic prosperity of these islands came with the hard work of this Government and the hard work and sacrifice of the people of these islands, and such economic gains should be spent as a priority for the improvement of the lives of the people of these islands and not for the enrichment of SIPT and other UK tax payers. The UK’s insistence on the brow beating of the people both by their insistence on taxing the people to pay for SIPT as well as their recent denial of the people’s call for constitutional review are acts to be abhorred.

My Government will continue to make representation to the Secretary of State, FCO and FAC and agitate for the UK Government to live up to its responsibility as a sovereign nation and fund the SIPT or find alternate methods of exacting justice as recommended by the Report of the CARICOM Mission to the Turks and Caicos Islands and for them to uphold good governance instead of demonstrating the might of the Great British Empire in abusing its authority. 

My Government is prepared to take this fight to Whitehall as we will not accept this nor the UK’s response to the House of Assembly’s recommendations for constitutional amendments. It is past time for a frank discussion onthe future of the relationship between the UK Government and the people of these “beautiful by nature” islands. 

by Zoya Faessler

PDM LEADER CAUTIONS GOVERNMENT ON RUSHED IMMIGRATION BILL

We have just ended a forced consultation period on the Immigration Bills – a consultation repeatedly called for by the PDM and more specifically by myself as the Shadow Minister for Border Control. Until Friday, August 21, 2015, the consultation period was largely an online consultation with limited access to and difficulty accessing the Immigration Bill and with the need to request a face to face stakeholder meeting. As recent as yesterday, I was still providing individuals with a copy of the Immigration Bills.

In October when the PDM was successful in halting the Bill due to a lack of consultation and then knowing full well that it could not be presented in the current Session, we expected that the Government would have used the time to conduct meaningful and accessible consultations. Whilst we are grateful that the Government has changed its position following an acknowledgement of a request for same from PDM Members to hold public meetings, we unfortunately are not happy with the rushed, sham of a consultation as they have grown a reputation for.

A more detailed approach outlining what exists now, what is being proposed and the reasons for same, all in an effort to better educate and then a means to gauge the responses would have been the most effective approach. The responses from persons as early as the first public meeting here in Provo prompted the PNP’s own Party Treasurer to ask the Minister publicly for a longer educational process. The one week of public consultation in a whirlwind fashion has left many heads spinning and concerned over the rushed and hurried approach to something so critical and fundamental. This together with the absence of a true and full appreciation for the content of these life altering Bills, and the information to show the impact, our people are left seriously concerned.

Often times and as recent as the last House of Assembly Meeting on an immigration amendment, the Government had no statistics or pressing information to support their hurried approach on its major policy change. We note with amusement however, the many occasions where members of the Government have been sorely agitated by members of the PDM posing questions. Our people are now asking questions and they require answers.

We are sincerely troubled by the Government’s usual hurried approach to the passage of laws in this country and we are again publicly cautioning this Government to take better care of the people of these Islands and the country’s future. We must be careful to not pass laws based on any other reason than in the best interests of our people and to always be mindful of the fact that there are some decisions if not carefully made can adversely affect us as a people.

We therefore cannot see how this Government can possibly continue with its plan to force through the Immigration Bill on September 14th in the climate of mistrust, uneasiness and skepticism that it has created by their own approach to this important Immigration reform.

We are therefore admonishing the Government to take the wishes of the people into account, accurately reflect them and ensure that there is a proper balance between adequate protections for its people and the need for growth.

We are also calling on them to take another look at its Bills, engage in meaningful educational and informative consultations and carefully consider the proposals made to them. 

by Zoya Faessler

Another Student Benefits from TCHTA's TCI Hospitality Adventure Programme

During his high school years Cydacio Morgan realised he had a passion for cooking and signed up for TCHTA's Hospitality Adventure Summer Lit'l Chefs Programme in 2013, an opportunity which has propelled his future in Culinary Arts.

The former Lit'l Chef who is currently studying at Manchester Openshaw College and pursuing a programme in Catering and Hospitality, is grateful for the recent donation of $1,000 by TCHTA through its Hospitality Adventure Programme, which gives him an opportunity to fulfill his culinary dreams.

"This is what we hoped for when we implemented the Summer Programme," noted Stacy Cox, TCHTA's Executive Director while presenting a cheque to Cydacio's father. "A programme which allows students to hone their skills in the hospitality field and proves to them that their dreams of becoming top Chefs, hoteliers, mechanical engineers etc can be achieved."  

Cox also added, "After participating in the 2013 Programme Cydacio was afforded the opportunity to intern at Seven Stars Resort for 6 weeks then went on to work at Parrot Cay Resort for almost 2 years where he was welcomed as part of the team. We are so grateful that these resorts along with countless others as well as many local businesses continue to come on board and participate in our annual Hospitality Adventure Summer Programme giving kids like Cydacio an opening into the Tourism and Hospitality world."

Cydacio departed the island before he was able to collect the donation but sent a message through his father who collected the cheque on his behalf, "Pursuing a career in Culinary Arts is not easy but is worth it. I love what I do and I will not stop and am truly grateful for all the opportunities I have received in my drive to become one of the Top Chefs in the TCI."

by Zoya Faessler