News
Duke and Duchess impressed with Coral Farm in Grand Bahama
By: Andrew Coakley
Bahamas Information Services
#TheBahamas, March 28, 2022 – Their Royal Highnesses Prince William and Duchess Catherine got up close and personal with a project that is dear to Prince William’s heart, during their tour of Coral Vita Coral Farm in Grand Bahama.
The tour of the Coral farm took place on Saturday, March 26, 2022 as a part of the Royals’ Official Visit to The
Bahamas. Since founding Coral Vita, Sam Teicher and Gator Halpern have been recognized as part of Forbes 30-Under-30 Social Entrepreneurs, Echoing Green and JMK Innovation Prize Fellows and WeWork Creator Awards Global finalists.
Prince William expressed fascination with the work being done at the Coral Farm, listening intensely during a summary of what they do at the Coral Farm, and asking questions about some of the various corals being grown at Coral Vita.
Prince William and Duchess Catherine were invited to plant a Propagule, a mangrove in the Mangrove Farm at the Coral Vita site. They both got their hands dirty, as they scooped up some of the soil to properly plant the Propagule.
Prince William and Duchess Catherine chatted with four young volunteers at Coral Vita farm, following the planting.
“Keep up the good work, Duchess Catherine told the young ladies. “What you’re doing here is great work and what you do is going to greatly help restore the coral reefs on your island.”
They were given an extensive tour of the facility, where they got a first-hand look and explanation from founder Sam Teicher about how the project was started and how growing coral actually worked.
The Prince and the Duchess boarded a yacht where they were taken to an area off of east Grand Bahama to plant coral there.
Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Vaughn Miller, who was on hand with the Government delegation touring the Coral Vita facility with the Prince and Duchess, said that he was impressed with what is being done at the coral nursery, adding that he would like to see more Bahamians get involved in the project.
“I spoke specifically with one of the partners of this project about Bahamians becoming much more involved with this and possibly being trained so that they can take this same project to the other family Islands replicate this
project there.
“You know the stony coral tissue disease is spreading rapidly and has become a real issue in this country. Thank God there is now a solution for it and we can do restoration work. So, hats off to what they’re doing here, not just with the coral, but with the mangroves.”
As a result of Hurricane Dorian, Grand Bahama lost over eighty percent of its mangroves: Minister Miller said this is an important restoration project not just for Grand Bahama and Abaco, but for the islands around The Bahamas.
Prince William, after listening to what the plans are for restoring the mangroves in Grand Bahama, noted that what happened after Hurricane Dorian was devastating for The Bahamas and was glad to see that Coral Vita’s work was helping to restore all that was lost since the storm.
Coral Vita, which opened in Grand Bahama in 2019, is the world’s first land based commercial coral farm. They cultivate 24 different types of indigenous coral with innovative techniques that speed up growth by 50 percent (micro fragmenting) and make the coral more resistant (assisted evolution) to the rising temperatures and acidity.
Photo Caption:
Header: Both Prince William and Duchess Catherine got an opportunity to plant a Propagule, which is like a seed for mangrove, during their tour of Coral Vita Farm in Grand Bahama on Saturday, March 26, 2022.
1st insert: Prince William asked a series of questions during the tour of the Coral Vita Farm on Saturday, March 26, 2022 in Grand Bahama. Workers at the facility explained how coral is grown at the facility. Looking on in the background is Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Vaughn Miller and Minister for Grand Bahama, Hon. Ginger Moxey. At right is Sam Teicher, one of the Founders of Coral Vita Farm.
2nd insert: Upon their arrival at the Coral Vita Farm in Grand Bahama on Saturday, March 26, 2022, Prince William and Duchess Catherine got a brief history on the reason and purpose of establishing the Coral Vita Farm.
(BIS Photos/Lisa Davis)
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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