TCI News
Project Lemon Aid: Inspiring the Next Generation of Ocean Stewards in Turks and Caicos
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — Monday, 21 July 2025: The Department of Education extends heartfelt thanks to Sharks4Kids for once again bringing their engaging and impactful marine education programme Project Lemon Aid, to students across
the Turks and Caicos Islands. Project Lemon Aid is a community-driven education and research initiative by Sharks4Kids, focused on enhancing marine science, shark conservation, and ocean literacy among students in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Supported by local partners like the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) and Big Blue Collective, the program provides engaging, hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning with real-world shark research.
A key feature of the initiative is allowing students to join scientists in the field to observe juvenile lemon sharks in their natural mangrove habitats. This year, the team hosted four field trips for 31 students and teachers from Clement Howell High School, British West Indies Collegiate, and A. Louise Garland High School. Participants engaged in measuring sharks, collecting DNA samples, and inserting PIT tags, while also learning about shark anatomy, mangrove ecology, and conservation.
One student, Keegan James, shared, “Seeing baby sharks changed my perspective. It was an amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone.” “I had fun on this trip. We learned about multiple things, including various species of sharks. We also learned about the lemon sharks in TCI and how they affect the mangroves and the overall ecosystem. My experience has been overall a blast, and I thank you for the opportunity to experience this.” -Marcelle McDonald, Clement Howell High School.
During the spring 2025 trip, Sharks4Kids reached nearly 1,400 students across 11 schools and the Edward C. Garland Youth Centre, including 16 sessions at Enid Capron Primary School. The team also distributed 300 activity packets, 110 posters, 100 3D model sharks, and coloring pages to foster ongoing discussions about marine life.
““Our goal is to empower students with knowledge and spark a lifelong interest in science and conservation,” said Jillian Morris, Founder
and President of Sharks4Kids. “By bringing shark science directly into classrooms and providing immersive field experiences, we show students that science is not only important—it’s exciting and accessible.”
Honourable Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, praised the continued collaboration, stating, “Partnerships like these offer transformative learning opportunities for our youth. They help bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, especially in the critical area of environmental stewardship.”
Special thanks to Ms. Simmons from the Ministry of Education for her assistance; our local partners: DECR, the Ministry of Education, and Big Blue Collective; our supporters, Save Our Seas Foundation, Rock the Ocean, and Sandals Foundation.
To learn more about Project Lemon Aid or to support future educational initiatives, visit www.sharks4kids.com/lemon-shark-research
Photo Captions:
1st insert: Student conducting field research with Project Lemon Aid team.
2nd insert: Project Lemon Aid team visiting with C. Hubery James Primary School in North Caicos.
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
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