Caribbean News
Long road to normal but IGUANAS are fine; Officials give suspected cause of inferno
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 12, 2023 – Around 9396.4 square miles of land on Little Water Cay was burned in the two day blaze on the uninhabited islands described by the Department of Environment and Coast Resources, DECR as an “inferno.”
A campfire is believed to be the cause of the destruction. They say it could have spread to Casuarina Duff as it can smolder deeply for days before conditions allow it to generate obvious flame and smoke.
The update came from the DECR on Wednesday afternoon.
“Little Water Cay and Half-moon Bay is a popular site for tour guides and watersports operators to make campfires near the Casuarina forest, for beach cookouts. This activity is believed to have been the cause of the fire on the sandbar this last weekend,” the DECR said. 
They explain that fire has threatened the sandbar since the invasion by Casuarina Pine which is very flammable. In addition, “recent habitat restoration efforts have resulted in dry wood on the ground which exacerbated the fire.”
In terms of worry over the native Rock Iguanas that live on the island, the DECR indicated, “The area has not been ideal rock iguana habitat for several years, but some iguanas were living there as the control of non-native mammals has allowed numbers to increase and their occupancy to spread. The fire itself was not problematic to the ecosystem: Although habitat recovery will have to involve control of Casuarina seedlings (which are encouraged by fire and other disturbances), the fire has consumed the fuel that has been a risk for years.”
We were told that when the Cay reopens, iguanas will be able to return and carry out their natural role. The DECR warned that despite the good news it will take time for the natural environment to be back to normal.
“As the non-native species are carefully controlled, the indigenous wildlife will recover over time, and the functional ecosystem (which hasn’t been intact since the introduction of the invasive pine species, cats and rats) will return.”
The press release also reminded that it is a violation of the National Parks Ordinance to set fires within Protected Areas without a permit from the DECR, and DECR does not grant permits for lighting fires in Half Moon Bay or Little Water Cay, due to the high fire risk and sensitive iguana habitat of the cay.
By: The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter
May 9, 2024 – The FCCA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), has launched an annual scholarship in honor of former Prime Minister of Barbados, The Right Honorable Professor Owen Seymour Arthur, who played a significant role in advancing the cruise trade association’s vision.
The annual gift of US$25,000 will be awarded to a different Caribbean destination each year to support the work of either an educational institution or a nonprofit organization chosen by the destination.
Barbados will receive the inaugural Owen Arthur scholarship, and next year’s scholarship destination winner will be announced at the ‘Shining Stars FCCA Foundation Dinner’ during Seatrade Cruise Global 2025.
“I am honored that the Foundation can continue the legacy of The Right Honorable Professor Owen Seymour Arthur, who truly inspired my career and empowered so many throughout the Caribbean, as well as making it possible to have the current partnership between the cruise industry and the Caribbean,” said Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA. “Hopefully this scholarship can live up to his memory by providing a platform for future generations in the region.”
By: The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter
May 9, 2024 – The historic UN Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island States (SIDS) brought global attention to the significant challenges faced by small islands, underscoring that their concerns were big issues for all.
On April 26, several key figures who contributed to the 1994 Barbados meeting gathered in Bridgetown to commemorate its 30th
anniversary. The outcome of the 1994 meeting was the Barbados Program of Action, which delineated how the world community should address the unique vulnerabilities of islands, particularly in response to climate change.
Despite initial reluctance from powerful UN members to hold more than one SIDS conference, subsequent gatherings in Mauritius and Samoa and a fourth global conference scheduled for Antigua and Barbuda in May 2024 are a testament to some of the successes of the SIDS process.
In Antigua and Barbuda, the international community will convene to review the sustainable development progress of SIDS and propose a new decade of partnerships and solutions to accelerate their journey toward resilient prosperity.
The Barbados meeting last month provided a reflective journey for many, as attendees, including Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, paid tribute to the late Ambassador Miles Stoby of Guyana, the visionary behind the initiative and for whom Barbados was, fittingly, a second
Caption: Ambassador Lyutha al Mughairy (widow of Ambassador Miles Stoby) greets Garth Sandiford, son of late Barbados Prime Minister Erskine Sandiford. Looking on are Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and former UN Under-Secretary General Peter Hansen.
By: The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter
May 9, 2024 – The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC), held April 22-24 at Radisson Grenada Beach Resort was a resounding success.
The conference is the Caribbean’s foremost event for high-level networking and dialogue on sustainable tourism, providing a crucial platform for tourism policymakers, private sector stakeholders, thought leaders, and strategic partners to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Caribbean tourism.
The meeting highlighted the essential pillars necessary for creating a transformative and regenerative legacy under the theme “The 5 Ps for a Legacy of Caribbean Tourism Sustainability: People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose & Partnership”.
Thought-provoking addresses from Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, set the stage for discussions about the future of Caribbean tourism.
PM Mitchell stressed the need to include a broader array of stakeholders in the tourism conversation, while Stewart highlighted the importance of partnerships and unity within the sector. The conference was marked by authentic displays of Grenadian culture and dynamic panel sessions.
Caption: Adam Stewart of Sandals Resorts International delivered the keynote address.
The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter
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