iNews Briefs, More & Community Events
Cayman Islands Community Events
FRI JUNE 19
Botanic Park Closure
The Botanic Park will close at 230pm on Friday (19 Jun)
Needs Assessment Unit Closure
The Needs Assessment Unit will be closed on Friday (19 Jun)
Purple Dragon Karate Showcase
The Purple Dragon Karate Showcase is Friday (19 Jun) at the Arts & Recreation Center in Camana Bay at 6pm.
Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Essay Contest
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Essay Contest for CI students under 16 will focus on ‘How has the cruise industry improved my country.’ For full contest guidelines and entry forms, contact [email protected]. The deadline is Friday (19 Jun)
CayFilm Festival at the National Gallery
CayFilm Festival at the National Gallery is Friday and Saturday (19 — 20 Jun). For details visit www.cayfilm.com.
SAT JUNE 20
Car Boot Sale
You’re invited to participate in a car book sale in front of Atlantic on Godfrey Nixon Way on Saturday (20 Jun) from 6am until 8am. Reserve a space by calling 916.3796.
Father’s Celebration
The Central Scranton Community is celebrating Fathers on Sunday (20 Jun) at 6pm at Central Scranton Park with a Dad’s Fashion Show and a Karaoke Competition.
On The Wings of Song
The Cayman National Choir presents On The Wings of Song on Saturday (20 Jun) at 7:30pm at Cayman Prep Primary School Hall.
Disco Wet Fete Fundraiser
Cayman Athletics Football Club will be having a Disco Wet Fete at the Little League Field of Dreams on Saturday (20 Jun) from 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Summer Saturdays
Celebrate summer every Saturday on The Crescent at Camana Bay with fun activities for kids of all ages. Little tykes can chase bubbles as they float by while bigger kids build fortresses with Imagination Playground and teens challenge their friends to Jumbo Lawn Games including limbo, connect four, corn hole and more. The event is Saturday from 10am until 7pm.
SUN JUNE 21
Free Vaccine Clinic
Due to the Parvo Virus breakout, Island Veterinary Services is hosting a free vaccine clinic for all unvaccinated puppies and dogs. The Clinics start on Sunday (21 Jun) from 10am until 2pm at Island Vet.
Boatswain Bay Presbyterian Church Graduate Services
Boatswain Bay Presbyterian Church invites you to their Annual Graduate Services on Sunday (21 Jun) at 7pm.
MON JUNE 22
RCIPS Community Clinics
The RCIPS will be hosting a number of community clinics at various locations within the Cayman Islands during the week of June 22-27th . These locations will include supermarkets, the Cayman Islands Hospital, district clinics etc.
Cayman Islands DoE Fishing Line Poster Competition winners announced
In honour of World Environment Day (June 5th), Department of Environment held a poster competition to highlight the threat of entanglement in discarded fishing line and promote a new fishing line recycling programme.
Children were encouraged to create posters showing the damage caused by fishing line left in the sea, including dangers to corals, sponges, turtles, birds, and other wildlife.
In the Junior division, joint first place winners were Delissa Sarah Tatum (age 9, West End Primary School) and Aiden Powery (age 9, homeschooled). Second place was awarded to Sahara O’Connor (age 10, Red Bay Primary School) and third place to Christian Perez (age 9, Sir John A Cumber Primary School).
In the senior division, first place was awarded to Jose Daniel Unruch (age 15, John Gray High School), second place to Mackenzie Morse, and third place to Michaela Morse (both age 16, Triple C School).
According to Department of Environment “We were delighted with response to the poster competition. We had excellent participation from schools and received nearly 100 student entries.”
First place entries in both categories will be used to create signs for fishing line recycling bins, to be placed in approximately 40 locations across the three islands. Winning poster entries and those which were awarded outstanding achievement status will be displayed at the Cayman Turtle Farm from 19 June 2015, with other public display locations to be announced.
The Department of Environment expressed their thanks to the sponsors of this initiative, in particular Atlantis Submarine Cayman which has sponsored all of the recycling bins and accompanying signs. DoE officials also commented that “we are extremely grateful to the sponsors for the poster competition prizes: Atlantis Submarines, Camana Bay, Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment, Cayman Kayaks and Cayman Turtle Farm”. CUC is helping with the installation of the bins by supplying and installing pole for the bins to be affixed to.
Fishing line recycling bins will be installed at dive shops, public boat ramps, fishing shops, and other locations across the three islands. A full list of locations will be posted on www.doe.ky
Cuba, second tourist destination in the Caribbean in first quarter of 2015
By AGENCIES from Cubasi
Cuba, second tourist destination in the Caribbean in first quarter of 2015
According to the Organización Caribeña del Turismo (Caribbean Tourism Organization) in its 2014 annual report, Cuba was the second tourist destination in the Caribbean, only surpassed by the Dominican Republic. The net visitors corresponding to the two Caribbean countries were 3 001.958 and 5 141.377, respectively.
As recorded by the aforementioned Caribbean Organization in its latest report on May 29 this year, Cuba not only continues to occupy the second position, but the gap between the two preferred Caribbean countries is shorter, as Cuba received from January to March 1 135 610 visitors compared to the 1,499,402 of the Dominican Republic.
Everything seems aligned for Cuba to become, since last December, the new center of interest and a must-see. Proof of this is the recurrent news of airlines increasing flights frequency to the island (American, Canadian, German, Mexican, Polish…), other than reopen old airlifts (Spanish), or starting new routes (China). In addition, leaders, government representatives, investors and numerous companies from around the world have walked around the island, as they do not want to stop being at the forefront of business operation and opportunities with Cuba, including the new horizons of luxury tourism that seem clear.
Former Cayman Islands judge called to the Bar
Former Grand Court judge Alexander Henderson (70) was called to the Bar of the Cayman Islands on Wednesday morning before Justice Charles Quin in a traditional admission ceremony.
Former Justice Henderson’s credentials and eligibility requirements were submitted by attorney David Dinner of Dinner Martin law firm.
Mr. Henderson has given an undertaking not to appear as an advocate in court.
Canadian medical student suspected of killing fellow student in Caribbean
From The Canadian Press
Police say a Canadian man has been arrested as a suspect in the homicide of an American woman on a Caribbean island.
The Edmonton Journal reports the man is from Edmonton.
Police and prosecutors in Saba, an island belonging to the Netherlands, would only refer to the 27-year-old accused by the initials O.J.E.
They say both the man and woman were students at Saba University School of Medicine.
The 24-year-old woman was found dead in her apartment on April 15.
An autopsy revealed she died of a homicide, but no details have been released on the cause of death.
Police spokeswoman Lucia Beck says national police from the Netherlands and the FBI are helping with the case.
Dr. James Lewis, associate dean of the medical school, declined to comment.
For more:
Cayman Islands celebrates Saturday (20) as World Refugee Day
On June 20th, World Refugee Day (WRD), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) commemorates the strength and resilience of the more than 50 million people around the world forced to flee their homes due to war or human rights abuses.
While in many places of the world the concept of “refugees” is rather far removed, here in Cayman it is a part of our lives as Cuban migrants are regular arrivals on our shores, usually in homemade crafts destined for Central America.
“I think that, due to the fact that it is a somewhat regular occurrence here in Cayman, we don’t often take the time to really think about what it takes to leave one’s home country,” states Cayman Islands Red Cross Director Jondo Obi. “To pick up and leave everything behind- and often times that includes family, children- is an incredibly difficult decision, not made lightly. It is really brave,” she adds.
UNHCR has been hosting a series of regional consultation conferences, the latest having taken place here in Cayman in September 2014. “The caliber of these conferences- including the one in Cayman- is worth mentioning,” explains Mrs. Obi “as the attendees were the Chief Immigration Officers and Heads of Government from the region. It was really intended to get to those who are making laws and policies about refugees”, she adds. ! ! UNHCR partnered with the Red Cross Movement to better assist refugees in the Caribbean region. As there is no official UNHCR representation in the region, it was a natural partnership between the two organizations who share the mission of helping vulnerable people in crisis and treating them with dignity and humanity.
“The Cayman Islands Red Cross is working closely with UNHCR as well as the Cayman Islands Government in our effort to improve the way which we currently deal with refugees here in Cayman. One of the things that became very clear at these consultation conferences is that no single agency will be able to address this issue, so it is important to recognize that civil society has an important role to play. Furthermore, there is no need to reinvent the wheel as there are great examples of best practices within the region- all we need to do is share our experiences with our neighbors and learn from each other,” explains Mrs. Obi.
The focus of the UNHCR WRD 2015 is to remind everyone of our common humanity, emphasizing that refugees are ordinary people living in extraordinary times, and that not all refugees are a burden to the societies where they seek refuge. “There is this notion that a refugee is a drain on local services, a problem, another mouth to feed or body to clothe, but that is far from the truth” states Deputy Director, Carolina Ferreira. “If we keep looking at people in terms of dollars and cents we strip them of their dignity as well as their talents, and the immeasurable contributions they can make, not only to their local communities but to the world.
Look at Einstein- we all know he was a genius, but how many of us know that he too was a refugee?” she adds.
For more information on the Red Cross’ work with refugees, contact [email protected].
US Coast Guard repatriates 54 Haitian migrants
From Caribbean News Now
Haitian migrants interdicted aboard a grossly overloaded vessel south of St John, US Virgin Islands
MIAMI, USA — The crew of the US Coast Guard Cutter Valiant repatriated 54 Haitian migrants to Cap Haitian, Haiti, on Tuesday.
While on patrol, a Caribbean Air and Marine Branch aircraft reported a suspicious sailing vessel south of St John, US Virgin Islands, on Wednesday. A boatcrew from Coast Guard Station San Juan, Puerto Rico, arrived on scene and provided life jackets to the suspected migrants aboard the grossly overloaded vessel.
The Coast Guard Cutter Forward arrived on scene and safely embarked 54 Haitian migrants before transferring them to the Coast Guard Cutter Valiant for repatriation. Two suspected smugglers were brought in for further investigation.
“This smuggling attempt unnecessarily put lives at great risk, including the lives of young children,” said Cmdr. Timothy Cronin, Coast Guard 7th District deputy chief of enforcement.”There have been no changes to US immigration laws and the Coast Guard, along with its interagency partners, will seek to prosecute smugglers to the fullest extent of the law and promptly return illegal migrants to their respective county of origin.”
Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.
Since October 1, the Coast Guard 7th District estimates that 2,231 Haitians, 2,700 Cubans and 468 Dominicans have attempted to illegally migrate via the sea. These numbers represent the total amount of at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean and Atlantic.
For more: http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-US-Coast-Guard-repatriates-54-Haitian-migrants-26558.html
Accessory after the fact charged dropped by Cayman Islands judge
Last Wednesday (17), Cayman Islands Crown counsel Nicole Petit advised Justice Quin that a formal declaration was being filed to show that the Crown would not proceed against Graham David Lauer.
Lauer had been accused of being an accessory after the fact of murder after providing accommodation for Jose Guadalupe Sanchez, 28, with intent to impede his apprehension or prosecution after the fatal shooting of Solomon Webster in West Bay on Sept. 7, 2014.
Sanchez had been found ‘Not Guilty’ of murder when during the trial Justice Quin found there was no case for Mr. Sanchez to answer.
FCC Slaps AT&T with $100M fine for limiting ‘unlimited’ services
By Chris DiMarco, From Legaltech News
Commission claims AT&T slowed connections of unlimited data plan customers that
On June 17, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that communications provider AT&T Mobility will face a penalty of $100 million for its violation of the Open Internet Transparency rule. Commission officials said the wireless phone and data provider engaged in deceptive tactics that hid data plan details from consumers.
In 2007 AT&T began offering an unlimited data plan service that entitled consumers to use as much data as they wanted. That unlimited plan was discontinued in 2010, but consumers who had previously elected for it received “grandfathered” status, and could continue using the plan if they renewed it on a monthly basis. In 2011, however, AT&T updated its terms of service, and implemented the Maximum Bit Rate Policy, which gave the provider the ability to slow connection speeds once a user had surpassed 3GB of data usage.
According to the FCC’s investigation of throttling complaints, the data speeds of the unlimited plan after users had surpassed the 3GB threshold were “orders of magnitude slower than the normal network speeds AT&T advertises.” The Open Internet Transparency Rule of the Federal Communication Act requires that broadband access details be accurately disclosed by providers in a manner that facilitates the consumer’s right to making informed decisions about purchases. The FCC said the manner in which those data caps were implemented is a violation of that rule.
In court documents, the FCC said: “Based on the facts and circumstances before us, we find that AT&T apparently willfully and repeatedly violated Section 8.3 of the Commission’s Rules by: 1) using the term “unlimited” in a misleading and inaccurate way to label a data plan that was in fact subject to prolonged speed reductions after a customer used a set amount of data.” The commission also said the speed caps implemented by the Maximum Bit Rate Policy were not properly disclosed to customers.
“Unlimited means unlimited,” FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Travis LeBlanc said in a statement. “As today’s action demonstrates, the Commission is committed to holding accountable those broadband providers who fail to be fully transparent about data limits.”
In addition to its fine of $100 million, AT&T is also required by the FCC to detail what steps it has taken to alleviate its violation of the Open Internet Transparency Rule.
A similar complaint was filed against AT&T by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2014. AT&T attempted to have those charges dismissed on the ground that the FCC and not the FTC should be responsible for the regulation of common carrier services. But that request for dismissal was denied on the grounds that data is not regulated as a common carrier service. The company may still face additional fines from the FTC on this issue.
Cayman Islands Water Authority announces Bodden Town pipeline project almost complete
Cayman is pleased to announce that Phase I of the Bodden Town pipeline project is expected to reach completion by the end of June, weather permitting.
The first phase of the project, which began on 11 May, 2015, affected Bodden Town Road from the Cemetery to Gun Square Road. So far, the Authority has laid 1720 feet of pipeline and has approximately 300 feet more to install.
Customers along the new pipeline will be given notification prior to being connected to the new pipeline as this process may require an interruption in water service.
Phase II of the project will affect Bodden Town Road from Gun Square Road to Manse Road and is expected to commence in 2016.
The Authority appreciates the continued cooperation of the motoring public during the final weeks of Phase I. Motorists are reminded that, from 9:00am — 4:00pm, Monday to Friday, access via Bodden Town Road will be restricted, allowing for business and local access only.
In particular, the Authority wishes to extend its gratitude to the businesses and residents of Bodden Town affected by the recent works for their patience and understanding.
For more information on the Water Authority, please visit www.waterauthority.ky.
Caribbean broken, but not failed — Kenny Anthony
From FreedomSKN
ANTHONY… Now is the time to decide.
THE Caribbean islands may be broken, but they are not failed economies, stated Prime Minister of St Lucia Dr Kenny Anthony in opening the 3rd Regional Caribbean Growth Forum (CGF) yesterday.
Concurrently, the World Bank indicated that CGF led to the implementation of over 100 reforms in seven regional countries since its 2012 launch.
“We need to dispel the widespread view that we are all managing failed economies. I do not subscribe to that perspective. These economies may be broken, but I believe we can pick up the pieces. I believe that our historical task is to conceptualise, shape and define an economic model that answers to the times and to our needs,” stated Anthony in his opening address at the forum at the Sandals Resort in St Lucia on Tuesday.
The tourism-dependent economies of the Caribbean are expected to grow by 1.7 per cent in 2015 or the second slowest growth region within the world. The forum’s location in St Lucia is apt as that country recorded the region’s worst performance, with three consecutive years of negative growth between 2012 to 2014.
Anthony challenged the development agencies and panelists to develop a new phase of ideas and reforms to build upon the successes of the last CGF. Most islands in the Caribbean challenged by their small size, vulnerability to external shocks, debt and lack of competitiveness.
“Now is the time to decide. Now is the time to act,” he charged participant to end his 26-page speech.
The World Bank indicated that the 100 reforms represented varying levels of success. Jamaica implemented a number of these reforms, which contributed to its rise in the Doing Business Ranking from 85 to 58th. St Lucia implemented 39 per cent of CGF reforms to date, according to Tracy Polius permanent secretary within the Department of Planning and National Development in the Ministry of Finance,
Economic Affairs in St Lucia at a media briefing on Monday. She explained that some of the reforms were not possible to implement within 12 months. She said that the country would implement additional reforms it deemed necessary within the medium term.
The World Bank also launched a new report yesterday called Trade Matters, New Opportunities for the Caribbean. The report revealed that, despite high openness to trade of Caribbean economies, that its share in global trade fell from three per cent in the 1970s to nearly a quarter per cent in 2012.
It recommends improving the increasing air and sea connectivity and also increasing productivity by reducing electricity and transport costs.
For more: http://www.freedomskn.com/caribbean-broken-but-not-failed-kenny-anthony/
Cayman Islands DoE investigates turtle poaching incident
At 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday June 17th, the Department of Environment received a call to its 24 hour Sea Turtle Hotline (938-NEST / 938-6378) from a member of the public reporting an attempted turtle poaching incident on a beach in West Bay.
DoE Enforcement and Research Staff arrived on scene with Police backup to find a 400 lb green turtle on her back in the bushes, where poachers had been dragging her away.
The turtle was tagged and measured by DoE Research Officer Paul Chin and turtle conservation intern Lucy Collyer. After collecting samples for an ongoing genetic study, the team guided her back to the sea.
According to DoE Chief Conservation Officer Mark Orr, “We would like to say a big thank you to the concerned citizen and his trusty dogs for running off the poachers and standing guard until DoE and Police arrived on scene.”
DoE Research Officer Janice Blumenthal explained “A new research project funded by the Darwin Initiative is allowing us to quantify and reduce illegal take of turtles from our nesting population and from our waters. We are about to begin a second year of Darwin Funded night time monitoring, which will allow us to refine estimates of green turtle nesting population size, and we are currently analyzing data from a detailed surveys of households and restaurants with the aim of understanding and reducing the drivers of illegal take.”
DoE Conservation Officers are investigating the incident and anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Orr at 916-4271 or Crime Stoppers on 800-TIPS.
Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2015: Full list of broadcasters
From oneindia
The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 tournament, billed as the “Biggest Party in Sport” will be broadcast Live across the globe. Video: Gayle Vs Pietersen in ‘Big Six Challenge’ Some of the big names in international cricket will be in action from June 20 to July 26. Six teams will vie for the trophy and there will be 33 matches. Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Kevin Pietersen, Jacques Kallis are some of the cricketers set to enthrall the fans. Damien O’Donohoe, CEO, CPL, said, “Our global viewing figures almost doubled last year, from 35 million to 65 million, as word spread about the Biggest Party in Sport. “This year’s competition promises to be bigger and better than ever before, and we’re confident that we will continue to increase our global reach in partnership with some of some of the world’s most prominent broadcasters.” List of broadcasters Australia – Fox Sports Bangladesh – TBC Caribbean – ESPN & Guardian Media Group Digital (betting) – Perform India – Sony Six Middle East – OSN New Zealand – Sky New Zealand Pakistan – TBC South Africa – SuperSport Sri Lanka – Sony Six United Kingdom – BT Sport USA – ESPN OneIndia News
Zanzibar welcomes biggest water park of the Caribbean
From Curacao Chronicle.
The second week of July Zanzibar welcomes the Biggest Water park of the Caribbean at Jan Thiel Beach. Every day we will have a different water park. From XXL to a Slide and Game park!
Great for the whole family. Zanzibar said that they will keep us informed!
For more: http://curacaochronicle.com/social/zanzibar-welcomes-biggest-water-park-of-the-caribbean/
KM² Solutions continues expansion plans in the Caribbean and Central America
New York, NY – KM² Solutions is proud to announce the expansion of two BPO contact centers located in the Caribbean and in Central America. The expansion of these facilities is directly tied to the surge of new business from both existing clients and new client starts. Furthermore, the growth signifies KM² leadership within the region and demonstrates the scalability and readiness of KM2 for its clients.
In the Caribbean, the Bridgetown, Barbados facility has seamlessly relocated from a center of modest size to one with significantly greater capacity and state-of-the-art connectivity. The expansion to the new facility will encompass 70,000 square feet, housing anywhere from 1,200 to 1,500 seats. “We have increased staffing organically by significant numbers with existing relationships, adding to existing functions and starting new functions. In addition, we have recently added over 5 new account relationships in recent months” said Tony Jennings, VP Caribbean Operations.
In Central America, KM2’s facility in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, has just acquired an additional floor within the Altia Business Park. The new location of 14,500 square feet is projected to increase capacity by about 450 new seats, and will be occupied by the third quarter of this year. This move is driven by existing client growth; however the center is reserving capacity for new clients as well. The Altia Business Park is the first Class A, self-sustainable business park in the region.
KM² Solutions has become one of the leading nearshore BPO firms, offering the highest quality service to its clients, regardless of industry or size. The recent growth is a testament to the strong performance and cost benefits that KM² provides to its partners. The investments in additional capacity will allow for continued readiness as new and existing clients expand going forward.
About KM2 Solutions
KM2 Solutions is a leading provider of nearshore business process outsourcing (BPO) services, specializing in the finance, telecom, media, and technology industries. With contact centers throughout the Caribbean and Central America (St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Dominican Republic, and Honduras), KM2 provides clients with cost-effective, bilingual solutions for customer care, sales and retention, collections, customer support, and back office processing, through voice, chat, mobile, and email.
For further information, please contact: Joe Wester VP Sales at (262) 790-2656
Swipe card coming to ease travel between OECS countries
From CARIBBEAN360
CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Wednesday June 17, 2015 – Member states of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are planning to take their integration a step further with the introduction of a swipe card that will ensure hassle-free travel between countries.
Already there is no need to obtain a skills certificate to move and live in any OECS member state, and a driver’s license allows citizens to drive in any country in that sub-region.
Now Director General of the OECS Commission Dr. Didacus Jules says a biometric swipe card is coming.
“We have already designed a single biometric ID card that contains all the information that is required so that, in the near future, with the issuance of these cards, people from the OECS will not even have to fill out immigration cards to move – you just swipe and you move,” he said ahead of OECS Day tomorrow.
Dr. Jules added that the integration movement was progressing “admirably” and while there is still some way to go, “we’ve come a long way as well”.
“I think we need to take a balanced perspective and, the truth is, within the overall project of Caribbean regional unity, the OECS is far ahead,” he said.
The OECS is a nine-member grouping comprised of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands being associate members.
St. Lucia government defends embassy in Taiwan
From G98.7FM
St. Lucia’s government is defending the opening of its embassy in Taiwan. Prime Minister Kenny Anthony responded to call for answers from the opposition United Workers’ Party (UWP). The UWP’s communications manager Lionel Ellis asked about perceived “mysteries” surrounding the embassy’s opening, particularly with regard to the cost. However, in a statement, Prime Minister Anthony says there are no mysteries around the embassy in Taiwan, and that it did not cost St. Lucia one cent.
For more: http://g987fm.com/st-lucia-government-defends-embassy-in-taiwan#sthash.UCS4WgTH.dpuf
Partner from Cayman Islands law firm participates in Who’s Who legal
Who’s Who Legal: 2015 Project Finance Roundtable
Conyers’ Kevin Butler, Head of the Cayman Islands Office, participated in Who’s Who Legal’s project finance roundtable.
Kevin has advised on several project finance transactions involving the set-up of Cayman fund structures to support infrastructure, healthcare and energy projects. Cayman is increasingly becoming a popular domicile for project finance work due to the increased use of their offshore hedge and private equity funds.
The forum featured thought leaders from leading onshore firms as well, and discussed emerging domestic trends in project finance, the growth of alternative financing methods, popular target sectors and other key issues affecting the legal market.
To view the discussion, please click here: http://whoswholegal.com/news/features/article/32341/project-finance-2015-roundtable/
SOURCE: http://www.conyersdill.com/publications/view/who-s-who-legal-2015-project-finance-roundtable
Major Caribbean Coral Restoration Project expands to Curacao
From Caribbean Journal
A major Caribbean coral restoration project is expanding.
The Coral Restoration Foundation Bonaire has joined forces with the Coral Restoration Foundation to launch a similar project in Curacao.
CRF Curacao has already seen the establishment of a 10-tree coral nursery with both staghorn and elkhorn coral.
“Corals have been placed in the nursery where they will generate 2nd and 3rd generations of corals that once mature will be transplanted onto degraded portions of the Curacao reef,” CRF Bonaire said in a statement.
The project is being launched with support from the Ocean Encounter dive shop in Curacao.
The Bonaire project, which is seated at the Buddy Dive Resort, has been planting staghorn and elkhorn nurseries with the aim of then transplanting the corals to degraded portions of reef.
For more; http://caribjournal.com/2015/06/17/major-caribbean-coral-restoration-project-expands-to-curacao/#
World Bank driving process to link Caribbean by ferries
From CARICOM
The World Bank is driving the process to link the entire Caribbean by ferries with the results of an initial assessment being described as promising. The Bank’s Country Director for the Caribbean Sophie Sirtaine says the findings are worth further consideration so a feasibility study will be done.
She warns, however, that establishing a Regional ferry service will initially require significant subsidies from the government.
“We are, however, trying to see if we can develop it as a public private partnership so as to minimise the impact on the fiscal situations of countries but that still requires a lot of work. At this stage, we believe it is be possible to optimise the existing ferry systems that we have, that are not co-ordinated.”
For more: http://today.caricom.org/2015/06/17/world-bank-driving-process-to-link-caribbean-by-ferries-2/
FCCA Foundation honors Caribbean and Latin American students’ environmental awareness
From Curacao Chronicle
FCCAPEMBROKE PINES – Each year, the FCCA Foundation Children’s Environmental Poster Competition awards Caribbean and Latin American students’ efforts to create a poster depicting ways to protect the environment and promote awareness in their country.
This year’s competition featured finalists from 12 destinations ranging from juniors (ages 12 and younger) to seniors (13-16), with nearly $26,000 awarded to the participants and schools.
Though all participating students learned a valuable lesson, the finalists and first- to third-place winners took home a prize to and for their country. First-place winners earned a $3,000 scholarship for themselves, along with an equal donation for their schools to purchase art supplies; second-place winners and schools received $1,500 each; third-place winners and schools were awarded $1,000 each; and all finalists and schools received $200 each.
Omario Kelvin of Chetwood Memorial Primary from Jamaica took the junior division gold for “My Jamaica, Our Environment to Protect and Preserve,” which showcased recycling, reforesting, utilizing renewable energies and preserving marine ecosystems. Chloe Stuart of Eight Mile Rock High School from the Bahamas won the senior division for showing how the Bahamas can clean the coast, recycle, conserve water and reuse renewable energy by taking advantage of northeast trade winds and ocean currents in “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.”
Other winners included Diya Sachdev from St. Maarten taking second in the junior division; Nisa Olesya Sanchez from Belize winning second in the senior division; Homayra Nawar Sarah from Belize collecting third in the junior division; and Anissa Hoyte from the Cayman Islands placing third in the senior division.
