TCI News
Officials address ‘Illegal Fishing’ in Turks and Caicos
#TurksandCaicosIslands – April 22, 2020 — It has come to the attention of the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) that individuals have been seen hunting sea turtle in Thompson’s Cove, Providenciales.
The Department would like to remind the general public that the Turks and Caicos Islands are currently adhereing to a ‘shelter in place’ order as enforced by the Turks and Caicos Islands Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations of 2020. As such, fishing is not permitted, unless you have applied for and have received exemption from the Governor as required in accordance with the abovementioned regulations.
Furthermore, the general public is reminded of the following regulations as it pertains to fishing, and turtle catch, in particular:
Fisheries Protection Ordinance, Ordinance 5 of 1941, as amended:
Restrictions on taking, processing, etc. marine products without a license
4. (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) any person who, not being the holder of and acting in conformity with the conditions of a license authorizing him so to do –
(a) takes or is in possession of any species of marine product; or
(b) processes or exports any species of marine product;
Commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $50,000 or to a term of imprisonment of twelve months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Fisheries Protection (Amendment) Regulations 2014:
- Only green and hawksbill turtles between 18 and 24 inches shell length can be captured;
- No capture of hawksbill turtles (closed season) from 1 August to 31 March, each year;
- No capture of loggerhead, leatherback, olive ridley and Kemp’s ridley turtles;
- No capture of nesting turtles, or collection of turtle eggs;
- Captured turtles must be landed live and uninjured;
- No export of sea turtle products;
- Turtles cannot be kept in captivity unless for rehabilitation and release;
- Restriction on the export of queen conch from 15 July to 15 October each year. The restriction does not apply to the export of shells or pearls or pearls or shells worked into jewelry or shell craft items, if the shells or pearls were harvested outside the specified period and are intended for non-commercial or personal purposes.
Please contact the DECR immediately should you see such activity taking place, at environment@gov.tc, or by contacting the Turks and Caicos Islands Royal Police Force.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#USA, June 5, 2023 – Kamala Harris, United States Vice President will journey to Nassau Bahamas in June for a
top level meeting with Caribbean leaders, marking the first time she will visit the region since occupying office in 2021.
According to the White House in a statement, the meeting will bring attention to a range of regional issues. Harris and the Caribbean leaders will continue talks on the shared efforts to address the climate crisis, such as promoting climate resilience and adaptation in the region and increasing energy security through clean energy.
Additionally, the statement informed that Harris’ trip “delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance cooperation with the Caribbean in pursuit of shared prosperity and security, and in recognition of the common bonds and interests between our nations.”
The June 8th meeting builds on and strengthens the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030, which was launched by the Vice President and Caribbean leaders in Los Angeles at the Summit of the Americas as further mentioned by White House Statement.
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 5, 2023 – A champion swimmer, marathon runner, Ivy League graduate and world traveler with a huge smile– that is Alexandra Truwit; at only 22 years old, she has a whole life ahead of her, one that may have now been made exponentially harder by the loss of her foot in an incident which continues to be unconfirmed, but reported as a shark attack off the coast of Providenciales.
Magnetic Media learned Truwit, who is a very experienced swimmer, was on a private charter captained by an
employee of Big Blue Collective (not a Big Blue Charter). She was bitten by what eyewitnesses think could have been a Caribbean Reef Shark and her foot below the ankle was completely severed.
It’s a heartbreaking incident exacerbated by the young woman’s obvious love for- and proficiency in- the water.
The Yale website describes Truwit as a Two-time USA Swimming Academic All-American. Featured as a ‘Teen Titan’ in her high school, she was one of ten young people chosen for the school’s magazine.
Truwit, who has a twin brother, cites nail art and baking as her life joys. Already having survived ‘mono’ as a teen, she volunteers as a Special Olympics “hugger” and started a Special Olympics club at her high school.
She was airlifted from the Turks and Caicos on the day of her accident and there have been no updates on her condition so far. Residents in the TCI and the US have expressed via social media their best wishes for the young achiever and must now wait, hoping for the best possible outcome.
One resident said, “So sorry Alexandra you had to encounter such a traumatic experience while on vacation on our beautiful Island. I am praying for a successful surgery and speedy recovery for you, hopefully, the surgeon can work their magic for you.”
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 5, 2023 – There are sweeping changes coming to the civil service this year after years of complaints about delays and understaffing.
“For the year 2023/24, the office of the Deputy Governor has a very ambitious public sector transformation centered around improving service delivery and the customer experience.” 
This came from Governors Appointed Member Willin Belliard, as he rose in the budget debates on Thursday May 18 to detail the revamp.
Phase one of E-procurement which will allow for the virtual submission of tenders is to be implemented. Along with that will come E-Jobs, a similar system touted to make job applications virtual, swift and easy.
Implementation of the Human Capital Procurement Program is also on the list of deliverables. Human capital is sorely lacking in the Turks and Caicos across the public and private sectors with hundreds of vacancies sitting open and resignations continuing to pile up.
Public servants will also find it easier to enroll into the all new Public Sector Pension Plan with the advent of a portal to remove the need for paper based applications.
The previously announced pay grading exercise is on the table to be completed and a Contract management unit has now been created to manage the delivery of projects that taxpayers are funding.
Residents of the Turks and Caicos have complained bitterly about the state of the civil service in the country for years. From police records to the treasury, the service is characterized by low staffing, frustrating wait time and long lines.
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