No Lobster on the menu in Turks and Caicos

 

Despite considerable domestic political issues the Turks and Caicos tourist board have made considerable progress in ensuring that their destination conforms too many of the recommendations coming out of the 2009 Caribbean Sustainable tourism conference.

 

The event, which was held on the island this time last year, had a major impact on tourism strategy and has resulted in some significant changes in legislation and the formation of new collaborative associations between operators and government.

 

Like many Caribbean nations Turks and Caicos depend heavily on the waters around them for both food and tourism. As of this year Lobster is not permitted on any menu at certain times of the year to preserve stocks and heavy fines are in place for transgressors. Equally local fishermen are now incentivised to catch the "alien" and intrusive Lion Fish. $300 for 300 fish is the message and it equally  gentle encourages these to replace lobster on the menu.

 

General moves to conserve water at all levels of the industry have been put into place and this strategy move came out of one of the many joint committees set up between all stakeholders to ensure that all aspects of implementing a more sustainable policy is taken into account. Another move has been to move seven properties of national interest into the hands and governance of the National trust.

 

Brian Been of the tourist board said at STC - 11 in Barbados "We have received great encouragement from the industry to implement many of the recommendations coming out of last year"s conference. The government in turn has tried to work much more closely with operators and has in fact deployed local management to many of our national attractions. We are confident of this continuing as we continue to receive an allocation for the accommodation tax"