On the 22 April 2022, the TCI Government held a Climate Change Summit during which the TCI Climate Change Charter was signed by TCI Government Officials and several non-governmental organizations, including TCRF.
6 April 2021. - Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) is a highly deadly, fast moving disease that affects approximately 30 species of hard corals on the reefs of the TCI. First observed on the reefs of South Caicos and West Caicos in early 2019, the disease spread quickly to reefs off NW Point, Grace Bay and continues to spread eastward past Pine Cay recently being observed on the reefs off Middle and North Caicos.
Scientists in Florida have been dealing with this disease since 2014 and through a great deal of research identified the antibiotic, amoxicillin, mixed with a specially developed, proprietary ointment base was the most effective option for stopping the progression of this disease. The antibiotic paste is pressed into the coral tissue at the edge of a disease lesion. The ointment base expands in sea water to fill the ridges and valleys of the coral skeleton slowly releasing the antibiotic into the coral tissue and minimizing the amount of antibiotic leaching into sea water. Obviously this is a time consuming and expensive way to deal with the disease, but doing nothing would result in severely damaged reefs. For example, the School for Field Studies on South Caicos reports that their reefs have lost approximately 60% of live coral coverage since the disease outbreak in early 2019.
Although there was some resistance from the TCI Government to the use of antibiotics in the marine environment, they agreed that we needed to test this treatment to determine its effectiveness on TCI reefs and to watch for any untoward effects on the marine environment. TCRF began trials of the antibiotic treatment in early 2020 and recently completed and filed its final report of those treatment trials with DECR.
The treatment trials were conducted at six locations around the TCI – three on Provo reefs, two on Grand Turk’s reef and one on Salt Cay’s reef. The results clearly demonstrated that the treatment was nearly 90% effective in stopping disease progression on infected corals. All the control colonies that were not treated died within a few days or weeks. The treatment was very effective across all coral species treated. No untoward effects were observed – fish would occasionally nibble on the ointment, but seemed to ignore it after the first nibble.
“We are very excited to see such a high efficacy rate for our treatment program,” said Alizée Zimmermann, Executive Director of the TCRF. “Our results are consistent to slightly better than seen in other parts of the Caribbean where this treatment is being used. It is now considered to be the standard of care for treating SCTLD by the scientists studying the disease.”
These results are very encouraging and the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources has recently granted TCRF a research permit to expand the treatment effort. The treatment effort with the antibiotic ointment will continue and will target large colonies. They will be tagged with special tags instructing any divers observing these colonies to take photos of the colony and send them to TCRF at SCTLD@tcreef.org. This will assist in our ongoing monitoring effort of the treatment program.
In addition, TCRF is teaming up with Ocean Alchemists, the company that developed the special ointment base for the amoxicillin, to test a new, non-antibiotic treatment. This treatment option utilizes a proprietary formulation of naturally occurring products and it is impregnated into hemp rope which is then applied around the edge of a lesion. TCRF will be comparing the effectiveness of this new treatment option to the current standard of care, the amoxicillin ointment. Testing of the new treatment should begin within the next month.
“No one is crazy about using antibiotics in the marine environment, but the alternative would result in the loss of many decades to hundreds of years old coral colonies on the reefs that protect our islands from storm surge and wave action,” said Ms. Zimmermann. “So we are excited to be involved in conducting research on potential alternative therapies that don’t involve antibiotics.”
About TCRF
Founded in 2010, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is the only active environmental advocacy organization in the TCI. It is an organization that provides funding for education, research and conservation programs to individuals, organizations and agencies that help to preserve and protect the environment of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Our goal is to have at least 85% of all funds raised through voluntary contributions from divers and snorkelers visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands directed to the Fund’s programs.
Anyone wishing to donate or assist the TCRF in any way can contact them through their website, www.TCReef.org. Scuba divers visiting the islands are encouraged to make a $10 donation through the purchase of a dive tag that can be attached to their dive gear to show their support. Snorkelers visiting the islands can show their support through the $5 purchase of a pink or blue silicone wristband. Visitors can also support TCRF by purchasing a rash guard designed each year by a different local artist. A complete list of outlets for TCRF merchandise can be found on the organization’s website.
Alizee Zimmermann
12 January 2021. - The Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) is pleased to announce the hiring of its first full-time Executive Director. Alizee Zimmermann will start on 1 February 2021 as the first (and still only) paid employee of the 11-year-old organization.
“Alizee has been working with TCRF for over a year as our Project Manager for the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) treatment and education effort and I am pleased that she has agreed to come on board as our first Executive Director,” said Don Stark, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund. “Alizee has quickly become a regional leader and mentor on all aspects of SCTLD and is very enthusiastic about the mission of the TCRF.”
Alizee was born in Grand Turk and raised on Providenciales. Having grown up on, in, and under the water, she has a fervent passion for the ocean and specifically the marine environment of the TCI. She became a certified diver at the age of 12 and at the age of thirteen Alizee was part of the islands’ very first Junior National Park Program where her passion and understanding for the need for conservation was nurtured. She got to ‘break ground’ for the current Environmental Center and present a speech to members of government who were present on the need to protect our greatest asset. At fifteen she left the islands to further her education, receiving an International Baccalaureate Diploma before continuing on to The University of Edinburgh where, at the age of twenty-one she graduated with a Master’s of Arts with Honours in English Literature.
She returned home in late 2008 for a couple years before moving to China in 2011. For 5 years, Alizee worked as an English Language teacher abroad in China, Vietnam (where she also became a dive instructor), Spain & The Netherlands where she worked with varying levels and ages ranging from Primary to university professors looking to work abroad. She returned to the TCI in 2016 and has worked as a freelancer on various boats including the Aggressor Liveaboard. Alizee is also an illustrator and has collaborated on an educational children’s book called ‘Sarai Saves the Cay’ which was a TCI Government education and outreach project.
Since returning to the TCI, Alizee has volunteered for the TCRF and shown interest in furthering her marine education which led to TCRF sponsoring Alizee to attend an AGRRA Trainers Training program in The Bahamas in early-May 2018. Becoming an AGRRA Benthic Trainer gave Alizee the opportunity to start doing more meaningful work and collecting data on the health of the reefs. She partook in an expedition to East Caicos to survey all the reefs off that uninhabited island as a baseline study and has become more and more involved in helping with Environmental impact assessments leading her to work on a range of development projects.
“I am very excited about this opportunity to work with an organization which leads the way in TCI environmental advocacy and action,” said Mrs. Zimmermann. “I look forward to continuing the excellent work the organization has done to support conservation efforts in the TCI for the past eleven years.”
About TCRF
Founded in 2010, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is the only active environmental advocacy organization in the TCI. It is an organization that provides funding for education, research and conservation programs to individuals, organizations and agencies that help to preserve and protect the environment of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Our goal is to have at least 85% of all funds raised through voluntary contributions from divers and snorkelers visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands directed to the Fund’s programs.
Anyone wishing to donate or assist the TCRF in any way can contact them through their website, www.TCReef.org. Scuba divers visiting the islands are encouraged to make a $10 donation through the purchase of a dive tag that can be attached to their dive gear to show their support. Snorkelers visiting the islands can show their support through the $5 purchase of a pink or blue silicone wristband. Visitors can also support TCRF by purchasing a rash guard designed each year by a different local artist. A complete list of outlets for TCRF merchandise can be found on the organization’s website.
August 6, 2020 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aggressor Adventures and the Turks & Caicos Aggressor staff joined forces with the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF). Last week, the yacht staff and TCRF volunteer divers spent three days at sea surveying coral reefs and tending to “coral ladders” for reef restoration efforts. The conservation accomplishments included:
· Nine (although 3 of the group are team leaders, they are all volunteers and were all guests and enjoyed the wonderful services of Aggressor) guests volunteered for coral reef surveys and restoration work while enjoying the comfort and premier service that Aggressor Adventures is known for;
· Volunteer divers were trained in 14 coral species identifications and diagnostics of coral diseases;
· The TCRF dive leaders, volunteer divers, and Aggressor staff worked together to complete six critical Atlantic Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) surveys as well as 40 roving diver surveys to document and quantify impacts from stony coral tissue loss disease on the reefs;
· The team selected and mapped 16 coral colonies for disease treatment and future monitoring;
· And, the team set-up a new nursery structure for corals in an existing coral nursery while being trained in necessary nursery maintenance; Aggressor Adventures adopted a coral ladder complete with six rungs of fast-growing, endangered staghorn coral fragments that were cataloged, re-tagged, and hung by both volunteers and staff working together.
This vital conservation work was, in part, made possible by Aggressor Adventures providing a discounted charter for local divers. “As a company with a focus on sustainability, we are pleased to partner with the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund and help support the import conservation work they do locally to protect their beautiful coral reefs that we all love to dive,” says Wayne B. Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures.
“The work we do benefits all watersports operators as well as all the residents of the TCI. We are extremely grateful to Aggressor Adventures for the support they have given TCRF over the past 10 years which has allowed us to continue our important work,” said Don Stark, Chairman of the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund. “This was an amazingly productive and fun trip that gave us the opportunity to complete a great deal of work in a very short period of time,” said TCRF Project Manager and Trip Leader, Alizee Zimmermann.
A short video of these conservation activities is available here; https://vimeo.com/444642123?fbclid=IwAR3tQtOtdyQEamvVXLfVm8RxL4ktRanyK6QXsDOBOvPE1QCHVvrFhoPteII
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About Aggressor Adventures: Aggressor Adventures is in the adventure-making business. We’re a world-class team of uncompromising explorers dedicated to continually creating unique and extraordinary exper- iences for our guests. We are passionate scuba divers, seasoned captains, culinary masters, discerning concierges, and wild safari experts. We are avid protectors of our oceans, rivers and lands, nature, and the environment. We awake each and every day eager for adventure. Let us immerse you in new experiences, change the way you see the world, and create your Adventure of a Lifetime.®"
About Turks & Caicos Reef Fund: Founded in 2010, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is the only active environmental advocacy organization in the TCI. It is an all volunteer-run organization that provides funding for education, research and conservation programs to individuals, organizations and agencies that help to preserve and protect the environment of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Our goal is to have at least 85% of all funds raised through voluntary contributions from divers and snorkelers visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands directed to the Fund’s programs. Anyone wishing to donate or assist the TCRF in any way can contact them through their website, www.TCReef.org.
Global Coral Reef Week – July 1st to 14th
Who: Coral Reef Scientists & Concerned Citizens
What: Digital Conference to Share Research & Knowledge
When: July 1 – 14, 2020
Where: www.CoralReefWeek.org & Global Coral Reef Week YouTube channel
Why: Reduce impact of global conferences while still effectively sharing science
Contact: Don Stark, Chairman, Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (donstark@tcreef.org or via WhatsApp: 649-347-8455)
Many coral reef scientists see exceptional value in sharing research with colleagues and the public, but also struggle with the high ecological and financial costs of attending traditional conferences. The ecological costs include carbon emissions from the travel of attendees. Thereby, a traditional conference designed to strengthen global knowledge on coral reefs directly contributes to the destruction of coral reefs.
With multiple widespread bleaching events in the past 5 years and the emergence of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease as an immediate threat, we are truly at the point where we need all hands on deck to tackle climate change and the protection of our reefs. There are many things we can all do to contribute to the battle against the climate crisis. Frankly, we need to do them all. We needed to be doing them all decades ago. While we need societal and political support to be effective in slowing down the climate crisis and avoiding the worst predictions, coral reef scientists, managers, and enthusiasts can lead by example by changing our business-as-usual approach to conferences to decrease our carbon emissions. We cannot save the reefs through research alone. We also need to be part of the energy that drives the necessary unprecedented social change.
When people asked the late Ruth Gates, ‘what can I do to help save the coral reefs?’ she advised that we pick something and do it. That’s what has been done with Global Coral Reef Week. The organizers decided it was time for the coral reef research community to have a conference format that did not require them to emit CO2 through flying. With a vision of virtually connecting a collection of local hubs across the globe, so that participants could network in person with their local colleagues while sharing their research with the global community, in August of 2019, Chelsie Counsell, Franziska Elmer & Judith Lang, committed their spare time to organizing Global Coral Reef Week. With low CO2 emissions and high access to science as our core mission statement, they welcomed every location interested to host a local event. The School for Field Studies on South Caicos was one of these 16 international locations that decided to be part of the first ever Global Coral Reef Week. We excited about this idea because traditional conferences are often out of reach for local scientists and practitioners due to the financial costs of attendance.
The world doesn’t always follow plans, and as COVID-19 continues to up-end everyone’s sense of normal, we are operating entirely virtually for the inaugural Global Coral Reef Week conference. We have over 100 contributed research talks and recorded workshops available for viewing on the Global Coral Reef Week YouTube channel, nine plenary talks followed by live discussion sessions with the speakers, three live sessions with multiple speakers dedicated to specific locations and topics, two virtual networking events, and a trivia event. Thanks to sponsorship from The Company of Biologists, Tradewind Colours, Marine Conservation without Borders, and donations from colleagues, this virtual conference is completely free. To date, over 1000 people have registered to participate in Global Coral Reef Week, partly due to immense advertisement in Brazil by Encontro Recifal Brasileiro. People can visit www.coralreefweek.org and subscribe to receive email updates and links to content.
3 March 2020. - The Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) is pleased to announce a new sponsorship partnership with the developers of South Bank Resort and Marina, providing the TCRF with a dedicated office and training facility located at the marina facilities.
“We are very pleased to have the support of this marina and resort development and to be located in an area that is in the process of becoming a vibrant part of Providenciales,” said Don Stark, Co-Founder and Chairman of the TCRF. “This office space provides us with an excellent venue in which to conduct training sessions and educational workshops. We’ve already used the facility to train our first eight Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease volunteers.”
Ingo Reckhorn, Director of Windward Long Bay - the development firm behind South Bank - stated: “South Bank has been crafted as a destination for lovers of the marine environment surrounding our islands. Protecting the wonders above and below the surface of our beautiful waters is tremendously important to us and our buyers. We cannot think of a more fitting organization to align ourselves with than the TC Reef Fund, especially given their most recent mission to take on safeguarding our coral reefs.
The facility is located on the second floor of the recently renovated South Bank Marina buildings and overlooks the marina.
About South Bank Resort and Marina
South Bank is a residential resort and marina development located on 2,200 linear feet of Providenciales’ southern shoreline.
It consists of distinct neighborhood each featuring a unique relationship with the water garnering a vibrant community for lovers of the ocean, contemporary architecture and outstanding service. Three neighborhoods were released for sale in 2019 offering a variety of home options:
· The Boathouses: a community of 1 - 3 bedroom townhouses each with a dedicated boat dock on the rear terrace ranging in size from 1,464 – 2,336 sq. ft. of covered living space and prices starting at USD 795,000.
· The Lagoon: a collection of 3 - 5 bedroom villas located on a generous beachfront swimming lagoon. With lot sizes from 0.24 – 0.55 acres and about 3,000 sq. ft. of covered living space, the Lagoon Villas start from USD 1.85m.
· The Ocean Estate: positioned directly on Long Bay beach or along the striking iron shore, the Ocean Estate Villas offer a contemporary setting that embraces the ocean access and views. The Villas come in three different ‘Ocean Estate’ layouts ranging from 4,500 to 7,700 sq. ft. of covered living space, with the option of four to seven bedrooms. Dedicated boat docks are available and prices starting from USD 4.45m.
Windward, the visionaries behind the development, are specialists in residential waterfront developments, their most recent success being Blue Cay Estate, a 16 home residential waterfront development in Leeward, Providenciales. Turks and Caicos-based studio Blee Halligan Architects designed South Bank.
The Marina at South Bank
With the new development comes a significant upgrade of the Caicos Marina and Shipyard as this south side yachting destination transitions to become The Marina at South Bank. The improved facility will increasingly focus on customer service for residents and transient boats that dock for short, medium or long-term. Boat fueling, a new sundry shop, renovated buildings and parking areas will soon be accompanied by a new main dock and floating docks
About TCRF
Founded in 2010, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is the only active environmental advocacy organization in the TCI. It is an all volunteer-run organization that provides funding for education, research and conservation programs to individuals, organizations and agencies that help to preserve and protect the environment of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Our goal is to have at least 85% of all funds raised through voluntary contributions from divers and snorkelers visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands directed to the Fund’s programs.
Anyone wishing to donate or assist the TCRF in any way can contact them through their website, www.TCReef.org. Scuba divers visiting the islands are encouraged to make a $10 donation through the purchase of a dive tag that can be attached to their dive gear to show their support. Snorkelers visiting the islands can show their support through the $5 purchase of a pink or blue silicone wristband. A complete list of outlets for TCRF merchandise can be found on the organization’s website.
TCRF’s First SCTLD Training Class
11 February 2020. - On February 6, 2020, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) conducted it’s first training session with volunteers who will assist in fighting the deadly stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD). SCTLD is a highly contagious and fast killing new coral disease that was first observed in South Caicos in January 2019, on the reefs of West Caicos in May 2019, in Grace Bay in August 2019 and on Grand Turk reefs in November 2019. The TCRF finally received permission from the TCIG’s Department of Environment and Coastal Resources to begin treating diseased corals.
“We have our starting team of eight volunteers who are experienced divers and who have flexible schedules who can now start attacking this deadly disease,” said Don Stark, Chairman of the TCRF. “These eight spent a day learning to identify the susceptible species, differentiate SCTLD from other coral diseases, how to prepare the antibiotic treatment and, finally, how to administer the treatment.”
The cause of SCTLD is unknown but is believed to be a bacterial pathogen. Research in Florida where they have been dealing with the disease since 2014 have found that the most effective therapy is an antibiotic called, amoxicillin (if you have kids and they’ve ever had an ear infection, this is the most common antibiotic used to treat that problem). The antibiotic is mixed in a base (either shea butter or a special base developed by a company in Florida just for this purpose). The antibiotic paste is then applied to the margin around an infected leision on a target coral head. The researchers in Florida have found this approach to be between 67% and 80% effective in stopping the progression of the disease.
“Because this is a treatment done on a coral head by coral head basis, it is very time consuming,” said Alizee Zimmermann, Project Manager for the TCRF’s treatment effort. “We are going to need more volunteers who are experienced divers, who have flexible schedules and who do not have a penicillin allergy to tackle this potentially devastating problem. We also need a lot of eyes on the reef, so we will be conducting special training sessions for volunteers who may not fit the requirements to be one of the treaters, but who can help us gather data on the extent and progression of the disease by doing what we call “roving diver surveys. A special training session for that type of volunteer will be held in the next few weeks. In the meantime, we are planning our first trip out to treat corals later this week.”
Roving diver surveys are a simple technique which involves swimming in a line at a fixed depth for a minimum of 10 minutes and counting all the corals in an area approximately six feet wide. The susceptible species are tallied as undiseased, potentially diseased, diseased, or dead. A large number of volunteers are needed to conduct these surveys all around the TCI. Any diver interested in becoming a roving diver surveyor should contact the TCRF at info@tcreef.org.
“We are extremely grateful to those businesses and individuals who have stepped up to the plate to help finance this effort,” said Mr. Stark. “This is going to be an expensive proposition we are undertaking and hope that we can entice other businesses and individuals to help with donations.; Anyone interested in donating can contact TCRF directly at info@tcreef.org or at 347-8455.”
SCTLD affects 20 species of corals that create much of the structure of our coral reefs. These include brain corals, pillar colors and boulder corals. It is not thought to affect sponges or soft corals such as sea whips and sea fans, but these species do little to provide coastal protection or habitat for fish and other animals that live on the reefs. When a stony coral dies from SCTLD, it begins to erode and the structure of the reef begins to decline.
About TCRF
Founded in 2010, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is the only active environmental advocacy organization in the TCI. It is an all volunteer-run organization that provides funding for education, research and conservation programs to individuals, organizations and agencies that help to preserve and protect the environment of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Our goal is to have at least 85% of all funds raised through voluntary contributions from divers and snorkelers visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands directed to the Fund’s programs.
Anyone wishing to donate or assist the TCRF in any way can contact them through their website, www.TCReef.org. Scuba divers visiting the islands are encouraged to make a $10 donation through the purchase of a dive tag that can be attached to their dive gear to show their support. Snorkelers visiting the islands can show their support through the $5 purchase of a pink or blue silicone wristband. A complete list of outlets for TCRF merchandise can be found on the organization’s website.
Minister of Environment Ralph Higgs and TCRF Chairman Don Stark
14 January 2020. - As we have reported last year, SCTLD was confirmed at coral reefs off South Caicos and West Caicos. We now have further evidence that SCTLD has spread to reefs on Providenciales and Grand Turk. SCTLD is a lethal (as high as 80% mortality rate) and fast moving coral disease and it affects 20 species of reef building corals.
The Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) has been actively pursuing permission from the TCI Government to begin treating affected corals since August of last year but were only given permission to monitor progress of the disease. Despite the opinion provided from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the UK Government that amoxicillin antibiotic should not be introduced into TCI waters to treat this disease, the TCIG has agreed that the risks of adverse effects from the introduction of minute quantities of antibiotic into the ocean is far outweighed by the risk to not treating infected corals. Therefore, TCIG has agreed to allow TCRF to begin treatment of affected corals.
“TCRF would like to thank Minister for the Environment, the Honorable Ralph Higgs for his support in getting the Government’s approval to begin treatments,” said Don Stark, TCRF Chairman. “We understand this was a difficult decision given the FCO’s strong recommendation against the use of the antibiotic amoxicillin on the reefs, but we appreciate their ability to see that the risk/reward ratio for treating versus not treating favored moving forward with treatment.”
Treatment of affected corals involves applying a bead of antibiotic mixed in shea butter around the perimeter of a lesion on an affected coral head. This technique has been in use in Florida for nearly 5 years and has been quite successful in controlling the disease. But it is a labor-intensive process since it has to be done on a coral head by coral head basis. Clearly the TCI’s Department of Environment and Coastal Resources doesn’t have the manpower to undertake this large effort by themselves, so TCRF volunteers will be working under the supervision of DECR and a TCRF Project Manager to tackle the task.
TCRF volunteers who are experienced divers and who have flexible schedules will be trained in coral identification, how to identify SCTLD and in the preparation and application of the antibiotic treatment.
Training of volunteers will begin within the next two weeks so treatment activity can occur as quickly as possible. TCRF plans to spend at least two days a week treating and monitoring corals on the TCI reefs.
About TCRF
Founded in 2010, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is the only active environmental advocacy organization in the TCI. It is an all volunteer-run organization that provides funding for education, research and conservation programs to individuals, organizations and agencies that help to preserve and protect the environment of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Our goal is to have at least 85% of all funds raised through voluntary contributions from divers and snorkelers visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands directed to the Fund’s programs.
Anyone wishing to donate or assist the TCRF in any way can contact them through their website, www.TCReef.org. Scuba divers visiting the islands are encouraged to make a $10 donation through the purchase of a dive tag that can be attached to their dive gear to show their support. Snorkelers visiting the islands can show their support through the $5 purchase of a pink or blue silicone wristband. A complete list of outlets for TCRF merchandise can be found on the organization’s website.
28 August 2019. - The Turks and Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) released today the financial statements for its 9th Fiscal Year, which ended on 31 July 2019.
“We are pleased to have successfully completed our 9th year as the Turks & Caicos Islands only environmental advocacy non-profit group in the Country,” said Don Stark, Chairman of the TCRF. “We raised over $100,000 again in fiscal year 2019 and all of that money went back into environmental protection and awareness projects.”
TCRF reported total income of $100,179 for the fiscal year and total expenses of $125,596. Specific projects accounted for over $93,000 of the total expense. Another $16,542 in expenses were related to operations that enabled completion of those projects. “Our goal from the beginning has been to have 85% of every dollar raised going toward projects and we have met that goal every year, with 87% of the dollars expended going to specific projects and the operational expenses, such as the costs of running our vessel, the Reefsaver, needed to complete those projects,” said Mr. Stark.
Despite the fiscal year expenses exceeding income, the TCRF has a very healthy balance sheet with over $95,000 cash on hand at the end of July 2019.
“TCRF heads into fiscal year 2020 with strong financials and a healthy outlook for our 10th year. We expect 2020 to be another successful year for our organization and we continue to succeed without full time paid staff,” said Mr. Stark.
About TCRF
Founded in 2010, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is the only active environmental advocacy non-profit organization in the TCI. It is an all volunteer-run organization that provides funding for education, research and conservation programs to individuals, organizations and agencies that help to preserve and protect the environment of the Turks & Caicos Islands through education, research and advocacy. Our goal is to have at least 85% of all funds raised through voluntary contributions from divers and snorkelers visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands directed to the Fund’s programs.
Anyone wishing to donate or assist the TCRF in any way can contact them through their website, www.TCReef.org. Scuba divers visiting the islands are encouraged to make a $10 donation through the purchase of a dive tag that can be attached to their dive gear to show their support. Snorkelers visiting the islands can show their support through the $5 purchase of a pink or blue silicone wristband. A complete list of outlets for TCRF merchandise can be found on the organization’s website.
A Maze Coral with Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease
7 August 2019. - The Turks and Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF) are requesting urgent assistance from coral reef users and the general public in controlling the spread of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD). As we have reported in recent press releases, SCTLD has been confirmed at coral reefs off South Caicos and West Caicos. We now have further evidence that SCTLD has spread to reefs on Providenciales.
We want all coral reef users and the general public to know that:
1. SCTLD is believed to be caused by a bacterial pathogen; therefore, it can be spread by direct contact from divers and fishers if precautions are not taken.
2. It has come to our attention that some dive operators have been attempting to help the situation by clearing away diseased tissue from infected coral heads. Because SCTLD is a bacterial pathogen, these activities are probably spreading the disease.
3. TCRF is hoping to work together with DECR to implement a plan to combat and monitor the disease, but we need reef users and the public to be aware of best practices to help control the disease.
Here is what you can do:
1. Report any suspected sightings of SCTLD immediately to DECR (environment@gov.tc) and TCRF (donstark@tcreef.org).
2. Avoid any contact with infected corals (they can easily be mistaken as bleached corals). Touching and removing diseased tissue will only spread the disease.
3. If you do observe SCTLD while diving or fishing (even if you do not touch it), please disinfect your dive and/or fishing gear before using it again. TCRF has acquired disinfection tablets and will provide them to you free of charge. Alternatively, a bleach solution can be used.
4. Avoid fishing and diving at known infected sites, if possible, to avoid spreading the disease, until treatment is underway.
5. If you have observed SCTLD while diving or fishing, do not get in the water again until your gear has been disinfected.
SCTLD is a highly infectious disease that affects more than 20 coral species in TCI. The disease has a known mortality rate of 80% in affected corals. TCRF has applied for a Darwin Plus grant to initiate a comprehensive management plan to deal with SCTLD. When funding becomes available, we will be training all stakeholders in best practices regarding how to control the disease. Until this funding kicks in, we have reached out to private donors, who are providing funding for emergency treatment and monitoring.
Alizee Zimmerman (TCRF) and Roddy McLeod (DECR) attended a training workshop in Florida on August 1 and 2 to learn about the latest treatment techniques for SCTLD. TCRF already has treatment materials in TCI and will begin antibiotic treatment protocols as soon as Alizee, Roddy and other volunteer divers complete the an more detailed assessment of the situation. We are asking the public to report on locations of infections only. Please do not attempt to control the disease yourself without adequate training and information. We will continue to provide the public with updates as this situation develops.
We appreciate your cooperation in this matter, and please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or if we can provide you with any additional information regarding SCTLD in TCI.
About TCRF
Founded in 2010, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is the only active environmental advocacy organization in the TCI. It is an all volunteer-run organization that provides funding for education, research and conservation programs to individuals, organizations and agencies that help to preserve and protect the environment of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Our goal is to have at least 85% of all funds raised through voluntary contributions from divers and snorkelers visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands directed to the Fund’s programs.
Anyone wishing to donate or assist the TCRF in any way can contact them through their website, www.TCReef.org. Scuba divers visiting the islands are encouraged to make a $10 donation through the purchase of a dive tag that can be attached to their dive gear to show their support. Snorkelers visiting the islands can show their support through the $5 purchase of a pink or blue silicone wristband. A complete list of outlets for TCRF merchandise can be found on the organization’s website.