Turks and Caicos Islands Participates in UKOTs Biosecurity Training to Combat Invasive Species April 24-28, 2023

TurksandCaicos, June 22, 2023 – Ms. Zatanya Handfield, Vector Control Coordinator within the Environmental Health Department and Mrs. Roneta Huntley Thomas, Chief Plant Protection Officer within the Department of Agriculture, participated in the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) Biosecurity Project Training initiative held in Montserrat to address the threat posed by invasive species.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are home to a diverse range of unique and endangered species that are under threat from invasive species. These invasive species can cause significant damage to native flora and fauna and threaten the economic stability of the islands. The Biosecurity Project Training aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and detect invasive species and take action to prevent their spread.

The training program included hands-on workshops and field trips, where participants learned about the different species of invasive ants, mosquitoes, and fruit flies, and the methods used to identify and detect them. Participants also received basic training in entomological preservation techniques, including how to set up and maintain invertebrate reference collections.

Ms. Handfield in commenting on the training stated “The Turks and Caicos Islands are highly dependent on our natural resources, and invasive species pose a significant threat to the local environment and economy. We are grateful to be part of this initiative and will work to apply what we have learned to protect our unique ecosystems.”

The Biosecurity Training initiative is a collaboration between the UKOTs in invasive species management. It is funded by the UK Government’s Darwin Plus program, which supports conservation and environmental projects in the UK Overseas Territories.