Times of the Islands Spring 2024

TURKS & CAICOS NATIONAL MUSEUM COLLECTION MARINAS.COM
From top: This aerial view of South Caicos shows the seaside town of
Cockburn Harbour and the spread of salinas behind it.
Lobster fishing has always been a major source of income for South
Caicos fishermen. Lobster are processed and shipped to the U.S.
elevated site which was then known as Kersteiner Hill
after its owner Emily Ann Stubbs-Kersteiner.
As a part of their agreement, the company constructed
a terminal building at the airport in 1967 built under the
supervision of South Caicos’ very own Mr. Walter Malcolm,
Sr.. Additionally, the runway was resurfaced, with fencing
and lights to facilitate night landings also added.
In order to further facilitate their tourism product, the
company established a refueling station at the airport and
at their dock facility by the hotel. These activities opened
South Caicos up to further tourism development by air
and sea. Brazilian pilots also stopped over in South Caicos
enroute to South America. This generated an upsurge in
tourist arrivals, making the Admiral’s Arms “the place to
be.” In-house generators were added to provide electricity.
This action resulted in many local residents clamoring
for electric services. This public demand resulted in the
Caicos Company Holdings Ltd. starting the first private
electric company in the TCI.
During this era, the first major fishing plant operated
by Mike Derby was established in South Caicos where lobsters
were processed and shipped to the United States.
South Caicos is also known as home to the bonefish, popular
for fly fishing tourists and hungry locals alike.
The lucrative fishing business gave South Caicos the
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