Times of the Islands Summer 2015

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & maritime affairs
faces and places
Adopter can monitor the growth and health of their coral.
Lionfish are an invasive species first observed in TCI
waters around 2006. Since that time they have become
increasingly populous and pose a serious threat to the
healthy reefs surrounding the TCI. This is because they
eat other marine creatures, such as snapper, grouper,
young lobsters, and parrotfish. Since lionfish will never
be eradicated from TCI waters, an effort must be made
to control their population to help protect the commercial
fisheries.
To this end, TCRF has been working with local fishers
in an effort to encourage them to fish for lionfish.
Although lionfish have a venom in the spines of some of
their fins, the flesh is poison-free and very good eating,
being similar in taste and consistency to that of snapper.
Local restaurants are interested in serving lionfish
on their menus and a few currently do, but more fishers
have to be actively fishing lionfish in order to control
their numbers. This effort is not yet complete, but is one
of TCRF’s many ongoing projects.
Other projects that the TCRF has been working on
include supporting coral monitoring efforts, providing
scholarships to local students to attend a summer session
at the School for Field Studies on South Caicos, humpback
whale research, removal of abandoned (“ghost”) fish
traps, working with DEMA on swim zone installations,
and many others.
There are many other projects that TCRF has completed,
has underway, or are in the planning stage. Each
one is tied to the organization’s mission of helping to
preserve and project the environment of the Turks &
Caicos Islands.
In its first five years of operation, TCRF has raised
over $300,000 and approximately 86% of those funds
have gone directly into projects undertaken by the organization.
As TCRF enters its second five years of operation
it will continue to grow, to raise money and invest those
funds into environment protection and conservation projects
throughout the TCI. a
Above and below right: Organisers, volunteers, and guests raised much needed funds to help Nepal. The April 2015 Nepal earthquake killed
more than 8,000 people and injured more than 19,000. This was one of several events held in Providenciales to help Nepal.
Nepal Earthquake Relief Fundraiser
With the support of local businesses and the community,
over 350 guests attended a Nepal Earthquake Relief
Fundraiser on the evening of May 2, hosted by Chopsticks
Asian Restaurant. The event raised $42,500 to help
people affected by the April 2015 earthquake in Nepal.
Highlights included an Asian buffet, $5 cash bar, performances
by Natasha North from the UK and Dexter Landy
from Providenciales, a silent auction, raffle prizes, and
fireworks. Organizers Chris and Sarah Haggie, Ajay Vyas,
Johanne Karam, and Shona McKenna made sure everything
ran smoothly on the night. 100% of ALL proceeds
of this fundraiser were sent directly to help the relief
effort in Nepal. Funds raised were split evenly between
Medecins Sans Frontiers and the Chhatrapati Free Clinic
in Kathmandu.
By Claire Parrish
For more information, visit www.TCRF.org.
From left: Guests peruse silent auction selections. Natasha North performed with Dexter Landy.
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