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