News
TCIG nesting bird awareness
#TurksandCaicos, August 1, 2023 – The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) would like to remind residents and visitors of the Turks and Caicos Islands that the summer seabird nesting season is underway. Many species of gulls, terns, noddies, and other seabirds nest on the cays and remote beaches from May through August yearly.
DECR notes that all birds and their nests and eggs are protected in Turks and Caicos Islands under the Wild Birds Protection Ordinance, specifically:
Section 3 (1) “Any person commits an offense against this Ordinance who – (a) Wilfully kills, wounds, or takes, or attempts to kill, wound, or take any wild bird;(b) takes, removes, injures or destroys any nest or egg of any wild bird.”
This includes disturbing nesting sites by landing on seabird cays, walking through nesting areas, and allowing pets onto seabird cays or into nesting areas. Breeding seabirds can be highly sensitive to human activities at or near their nesting sites. Disturbance can affect nesting success and have longer-term impacts on colonies. Eggs are fragile and easily broken, eggs and small chicks can die if left unattended, and adult birds can abandon their nest resulting in breeding failure if disturbance is persistent.
Most of the remote cays on which seabirds nest are Protected Areas under the National Parks Ordinance (see list at end of article); those seabirds and their nests are also protected from disturbance by that Ordinance. Many of the remote seabird nesting cays are classified as Sanctuaries, for which landing without written permission from DECR (including landing on the beaches) is prohibited.
Seabirds may also nest in open areas on other islands, especially on beaches and dunes. Many species of seabirds do not make nests and keep their well-camouflaged eggs and chicks directly on sand or rock, which makes walking through a nesting area very dangerous to the eggs and chicks.
If you enter an area where seabirds are flying closely and noisily overhead, it is important to leave the area immediately. Do not attempt to throw objects or sand at the birds. They will not leave their nests. It is also crucial that eggs or chicks, even if seemingly abandoned, are not removed from the wild. As visitors to their habitats, and stewards of their ecosystem, it is our responsibility to minimise disturbance in this crucial time of their life cycle.
DECR Director Lormeka Williams explains, “Seabirds come to land only once per year to reproduce, and even seemingly small disturbances can ruin a nesting year. We are only beginning to understand the vital ecological role of nesting seabirds to the health of our coral reefs and their fascinating domino effect whereby the perfectly-balanced nutrient load from their nesting areas promotes not only increased fish presence, but also the health of large pelagic fish such as sharks.”
Dr. Rhiannon Auston of University of Liverpool has been working on seabird research in collaboration with DECR and the Turks and Caicos National trust for several years.
Dr. Austin states, “Seabirds are important components of healthy marine ecosystems. Many species are marine top predators that eat huge quantities of fish and roam over large stretches of the oceans to find food. Therefore, they link offshore and nearshore ecosystems, and playing important roles in nutrient cycling and maintaining healthy
reefs.” Dr Auston continues, “Seabirds are sensitive to changes in food availability and breed on land, making them relatively easy to monitor. Thus, they are excellent indicators of the health of marine ecosystems and are great tools for management.”
Follow seabird research in TCI on social media: @tciseabirds
Cays within Sanctuaries, where landing without written permission is prohibited, include the following:
Caicos Bank: French Cay, Seal Cay, Seal Pup Cays, White Cay, Pear Cay, Indian Cay, Shot Cay, Bush Cay.
Turks Bank: Long Cay, Big Sand Cay.
Other cays that are protected as National Parks or Nature Reserves include the following:
Caicos Bank: Chalk Sound Cays, Little Water Cay, Mangrove Cay, Lizard Cay, Bird Cay, Star Island, Fort St George Cay, Grouper Cay, Stubbs Cay, Three Mary Cays, East Bay Cays, Guana Cay, Middleton Cay, Horse Cay, Iguana Cay, Small Moxey Bush, Dove Cay, Long Cay, Six Hills Cays, Fish Cays, Little Ambergris Cay,
Turks Bank: Gibb’s Cay, Round Cay, Penniston Cay, Pear Cay, Martin Alonzo Pinzon Cay (East Cay).
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have
charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.
The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:
- One Count: Robbery
- One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
- One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear
Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.
The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.
The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.
Mr. SIMON faces the following charges:
- One Count: Robbery;
- One Count: Gang Membership
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.
The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.
Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition
- One Count: Unlawful Entry
Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY.
The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.
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