Jo-Jo the Dolphin does the rounds and continues to delight visitors and residents of the Turks and Caicos. On a cold and wet day last week Jo-Jo surprised our intrepid snorkelers by making an appearance at French Cay, a tiny coral island 18 miles south of Provo (see Trip Advisor Report 20th March 2011). The very next day Jo-Jo is back in Grace Bay and trailing our boats up the coast to Fort George and all the way back to our dock. Even our office guru Tanya was caught squealing with delight. A very thoughtful visitor, sadly not on one of our eco-tours, was kind enough to send in a collection of Jo-Jo photos including the one pictured. This was taken on the 15th March.
The Humpbacks are everywhere. Our Team has been seeing and hearing almost everyday. Eager to get in on the action “Style & Fashion” aka Paul and Philip slipped off for what was supposed to be an hour and came back 5 hours later after hanging with 3 whales and 3 dolphins!
Both Stella’s have their groove back.
Get on and come out on the water with us. March should be epic!
Its official. If you don’t already know. Small groups rule! Laura (our dive instructor) and Jay Noddle and friends (Big Blue guests) were diving off Grace Bay on Aquarium and were closely eye balled by 2 large Bottlenose Dolphins. THE PERFECT DIVE!
When not teaching Wes (our kite instructor) is out there riding the perfection that can be found in the TCI.
Last week 20 + knots blew in from the south east and opened up a whole host of stashes. The second Go Pro is on its way and soon Wes and Philip will be coming at ya from all angles.
Big thank you to Wes Matweyew (kite), Norma, Cardi (boat captain) and Calroy (kayak guide) for helping to collect the garbage that was left behind and drifted onto Leeward Point and Little Water Cay.
We will continue to try to keep these areas as clean as possible. So we build up piles and collect them when we have the time.
Last weekend I (Mark Parrish) had the pleasure of diving with two old friends. One was my old colleague and technical diving buddy John Garvin and the other a long time guest and visitor to the islands Jay Noddle. We had two excellent dives in Grace Bay with plenty of great marine life encounters but the most exciting find was a Leopard Flatworm cruising over the seafloor like a hovercraft, its long dark body standing out clearly against the white sand. With much excitement we sat mesmerized as this large, 4” Leopard Flat Worm then proceeded to swim upward towards a coral head, its body gracefully undulating through the water. What a treat.
The joint expedition to assess the wetland areas of the Turks and Caicos continued through the week with visits to North Caicos, Middle Caicos and Grand Turk. Mark Parrish of Big Blue caught up with the team to help lead a trip to the vital wetland areas between South Caicos and East Caicos. Initial findings and observations were then presented to an open meeting of stakeholders and interested parties at the National Environmental Centre. Aspects of the proposal that will be submitted to the Darwin Initiative later in the year were discussed including the designation of particular wetlands as new RAMSAR sites, the ‘wise use’ of these areas, and available international cooperation for RAMSAR sites. Ralph Higgs of the TCI Tourist Board invited Wesley Clerveaux, Director of the Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources (DECR) to a joint meeting with the TCI National Trust to assess cross department cooperation and use of resources. Dr. David Stroud suggested that the TCI might be the first country in the world to have a network of managed RAMSAR sites and explained how RAMSAR protection can be applied to mangroves, coral reefs, sea-grass beds and Karst or underground wetlands. This is set to be an ongoing project of significant importance to the environmental health of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Big Blue Unlimited has joined forces with the Turks and Caicos Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources (DECR) and together with UK partners from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust (WWT) are assessing management plans and expansion of RAMSAR sites in the TCI. Several areas across the Turks and Cacios Islands are being visited this week. Currently there is one RAMSAR site in the TCI and this comprises the wetlands and mangroves on the southern parts of North and Middle Caicos. It is hoped that a number of other sites, some already exisiting National Parks and Nature Reseves, can be lifted to the lofty status of RAMSAR protection. Successful management and stewardship of these areas by all stakeholders will help protect valuable fish and invertabrate nurseries as well as irreplaceable habitat for numerous birds including the pelican, flamingo and heron/egret families.
Brian Manca (DECR) Mark Parrish (BIG BLUE) Dr Matthew Simpson (WWT) Dr David STroud (JNCC)
Adopt a Mangrove
Mother Nature and Human Nature working together – for a change.
Big Blue has set out to help the “Adopt a Mangrove” campaign in its efforts to support local conservation initiatives. It also provides an
opportunity for visitors to the Turks and Caicos to take part by donating time and money to this valuable program.
The Adopt a Mangrove Campaign is a conservation initiative to restore impacted areas and to reduce climate change by planting mangroves. It will act as a major campaign for Turks and Caicos Islands residents to unite in reducing the affects of climate change. Most importantly, community support of this endeavor will show our governing authorities and the world that the citizens of the TCI are serious about
preserving our Protected Areas, protecting our environment, and banding together to reduce climate change.
At present, there are 200 small mangroves now thriving on “Star Island” with another 200 seedlings in the nursery system being readied
for the transplant stage. For a donation of $25 you can adopt your very own mangrove and plant it on Big Blue’s Kayak Ecotour! On the guided kayak ecotour you will explore mangrove channels, learn about their ecological importance, and then stop at the planting grounds to plant your very own seedling!
Once “Adopt a Mangrove” has received your donation, you will be sent an e-certificate and your name will be added to the list of supporters. You will also have the option of receiving adopt a mangrove’s e-mail updates that will detail the annual growth and survival of our Star Island mangroves, as well as the new planting projects that they intend to undertake as the program and the mangroves grow.
For TCI residents, the adoption program can include plantings along the canal sustems and other backyard wetland areas where appropriate.
Private homeowners can protect and stabilize their waterside properties with mangroves and feel good about reducing their own
carbon footprint.
For more information please contact Big Blue at info@bigblueunlimited.com or visit www.merangel.net/mangroves
The Big Blue kayak expedition to the eastern side of Caicos Islands at the end of November was a huge success. Despite some logistical hurdles the 3-day trip ran smoothly and an incredible amount of wildlife was recorded. Perhaps of greatest interest was the varied nature of the terrain that was explored and the long circular route that was established including a short potage.
Big Blue’s high performance Valley Sea Kayaks were shipped to South Caicos in advance of the expedition. Transport by air for the team members was provided by TCI helicopters and offered the opportunity to survey the dense network of mangroves, cays and tidal channels from above. This research proved to be immensely valuable although potential routes seen from the air can be much harder to determine from kayak level on the water. Tides also play a huge role in determining what and where you can access. The tidal range is not huge, 50cm or so on spring tides, but timing it correctly is essential.
The first day explored the small cays to the north of South Caicos and paddlers interchanged between the rougher ocean side and the sheltered leeward sides. The islands, barely solidified sand dunes, are covered in coastal plant including various palms, cacti, sea grapes and casuarinas which give way to vast colonies of red and black mangroves on the water’s edge. The ends of these cays offer some surprisingly spectacular cliffs, sweeping turquoise channels, and gorgeous sheltered beaches; perfect locations to stretch cramped legs, cool off with a swim, and enjoy a well earned picnic lunch. Almost every Cay seemed to be home to a different osprey family and associated nest.
The majority of the time was spent exploring the mangrove channels and interconnecting waterways. The bird population; herons, egrets, sandpipers, kingfishers, and flamingos, was very healthy. The fish life consisted of large schools of mojarra, baby barracuda and bonefish. The occasional juvenile lemon or nurse shark and turtle were also spotted. The most noticeable aspect of the trip was the solitude and total wilderness. There was no one around, there was no development, and the wildlife unused to seeing people. At the end of each day kayaks were left on the nearest beach and a motorboat transported the guests back to South Caicos for the night. Accommodation and memorable seafood was enjoyed overlooking the Harbour at Cox’s Hotel.
Using a GPS and photographs taken from the air a circular route through the mangroves and out to the coast on the southern tip of East Caicos was established. Another longer route via Hog Cay has been tentatively identified and partly explored. It will have to be completed on another expedition. Big Blue offers customized small group exploratory kayak expeditions throughout the Caicos Islands. Please contact Mark for more information and prices.
