General Safety Tips (December 19th, 2008)

Here are some safety tips while you are on holiday in the Caribbean:

Centipede/Scorpion Bites

Not lethal, the severity and degree of discomfort depends on an individual sensitivity. If there is any doubt, a doctor should be seen, especially if a child has been bitten.

Coconut Palms

Never leave a baby or a smal child beneath a cocunut palm beacuse of the possibility of falling coconuts.

Manchineel

Avoid contact with Manchileel trees or fruit as the fruit is poisonous and the sap from trees can cause blisters to the skin.

Mosquitoes and Sandflies

People with sensitive skin may be botheres. There are many repellents to prevent bites.

Sea Urchins

A black sea egg with long black spines. If the spines are protruding form your skin then you can carefully try to remove them, but if they are beneath the skin do not try to pick them out as this could cause infection. If you leave them in your skin they will eventually dissolve. To be safe soak with vinegar or some form of antiseptic.

Sun

Use plenty of sun cream as even on a cloudy day the suns rays are still very strong and can cause painful sun burn and even dehydration.

Whilst enjoying a great holiday in the Caribbean, a bit of caution can avoid simple injuries and allow you to have a pleasant vacation.

The Sustainable Grenadines Project (December 19th, 2008)

The sustainable grenadines project is a collaboration among several committees and organisations in Grenada, Barbados, Carriacou, St Vincent and the Grenadines. The project is committed to the conservation of the coastal and marine environment and sustainable livelihoods for the people of the Grenadines. This is being ac hived through capacity building and increased awareness of the environment for non-governmental organisations and community groups.

Core Projects and Activities

A brief description of interesting core projects and activities of the project:

Attachments/Exchanges

Attachments and exchanges promote learning-by-doing and expose members of active NGOs to best practices in the region. Past echanges have benefited from sailing instruction, seamoss farming, heritage park development, water taxi association strengthening, nature trail development and NGO development.

Water Taxi Project

Water taxi operators were trained in green boat operations, environmental stewardship and safety at sea and two association members were provided with office space ad equipment. Association members were trained in leadership, record keeping, office procedures, basic accounting, conflict management and negotiation skills. The training and help will help reduce the negative impact on the environment as the trained members can act as environmental stewards while earning a livelihood on the sea.

People and Corals Project

This project promoted coral reef conservation throughout the Grenadines. New coral reef conservation concepts and approaches have been introduced in primary schools. Teachers were trained and books provided for 18 schools in the Caribbean.

Reef Check Training and Monitoring

Reef Check is part of the global initiative to monitor the health of coral reefs in areas of limited economic resources. Reef sites in the Grenadines are monitored bi-annually by divers in St Vincent, Mustique and Union island who were trained in Reef Check methodology for reef survey and being monitored.

Seamoss farming

This project aims to provide an opportunity for sustainable local economic development through seamoss mariculture and processing. Training and seeding of two modules from technical experts, informing the residents of the potential of seamoss farming.

In all these projects will help provide for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future for us to enjoy the pleasures of scuba diving and sailing holidays in the Caribbean.