The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) through the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) strongly supports the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) which was proclaimed by the United Nations to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
The International Day for Biological Diversity is observed every May 22, however, the DECR observes it every day. The TCI National Environmental Centre (NEC) exhibits various materials to showcase the biological diversity of the Territory. The NEC is conveniently located at the Lower Bight in Providenciales, immediately in front of the Bight Park in Providenciales. The DECR is seriously implementing various measures both in terrestrial and marine ecosystems to ensure that biological diversity in the Territory is protected.
This year, 2009, the theme for the International Day on Biological Diversity (IDB) is Invasive Alien Species (IAS) - one of the greatest threats to biodiversity, and to the ecological and economic well-being of society and the planet. Designation of IDB 2009 on the theme of invasive alien species provides Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and those dealing with IAS, opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and increase practical action to tackle the problem.
Two weeks ago, the DECR has spearheaded a multilateral consultative meeting aimed at addressing the issues associated with AIS. A week later, the DECR and all other concerned government agencies had met again to figure out how to best combat the entry of unwanted invasive species.
Invasive alien species are plants, animals, pathogens and other organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health. In particular, they impact adversely upon biodiversity, including decline or elimination of native species - through competition, predation, or transmission of pathogens - and the disruption of local ecosystems and ecosystem functions. These species generally threaten native biodiversity as is evidenced in the Turks and Caicos islands with the presence of the pine scale insect and the lionfish.
The problem continues to grow at great socio-economic, health and ecological cost around the world. Invasive alien species exacerbate poverty and threaten development through their impact on agriculture, forestry, fisheries and natural systems, which are an important basis of peoples’ livelihoods in developing countries. This damage is aggravated by climate change, pollution, habitat loss and human-induced disturbance.
Globalization has resulted in greater trade, transport, travel and tourism, all of which can facilitate the introduction and spread of species that are not native to an area. If a new habitat is similar enough to a species’ native habitat, it may survive and reproduce. For a species to become invasive, it must successfully out-compete native organisms for food and habitat, spread through its new environment, increase its population and harm ecosystems in its introduced range.
Prevention is the most cost-efficient and effective method against invasive alien species. Halting the establishment of potentially invasive species in the first place is the first line of defense. Governments conduct customs checks, inspect shipments, conduct risk assessments and set quarantine regulations to try to limit the entry of invasive species. However, global inspection and risk analysis capacity is usually not sufficient. The TCI government is strictly requiring sanitary and photosanitary permits for all incoming plant and animal products. List of invasive and/or potential invasive species in TCI is being made, in consultation with stakeholders. Once the list is made, entry of invasive species into the Territory will not be allowed.
