Business
Fisheries database officially handed over
By Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
(PRESS RELEASE) — The successful completion of training sessions for fisher folk and other key fisheries stakeholders has resulted in the official handover of a central fisheries database to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The training workshops, which consisted of three components, were a part of the Darwin Plus funded project entitled, “Capacity Building in Fisheries Evidence, Networks, and Management (Virgin Islands)” in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Director Mr. Theodore James stated that the training workshops enhanced skillsets and increased knowledge in the area of fisheries management, which is a key area in the Virgin Islands economy.
He added that the workshops were comprehensive and aimed at effectively establishing the fisheries database, and equipping officers with the requisite skills to collect, analyse, and manage fisheries data.
Mr. James said, “We are now better positioned to perform analyses on the fisheries data we collect and receive. The support provided through the Darwin Plus funding initiative and collaboration with the United Kingdom Government’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences, Cefas, on this component of the project has made significant inroads towards our goal of greater insight into fisheries in the Virgin Islands.”
The workshops were attended by stakeholders in fisheries, including government officials from the Premier’s Office, Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The final training exercise was facilitated by Marine Scientific Advisor Shannon White from United Kingdom Cefas and Government Information Services Analyst William Procter.
Mr. Procter stated the training workshops and handover was a result of over two years of collaboration between Cefas and the VI Government, aiming to facilitate and improve fisheries management in the Virgin Islands.
The successful completion of the training sessions also resulted in the official handover of a central fisheries database by the United Kingdom Government’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas), to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
“This data collection, storage, and analysis procedure was developed to provide valuable understanding of fisheries data now an in the future,” the facilitator explained, adding, “It has been great to work with the VI Government and all stakeholders and it is good to see how this will be used in VI,” Mr. Procter stated.
The Darwin Plus funded project “Capacity Building in Fisheries Evidence, Networks, and Management (Virgin Islands)” aims to enhance the knowledge and capacity of the Government of the Virgin Islands staff, fisher folk and key fisheries stakeholders for fisheries management. The project also seeks to improve the collation and display of fisheries data and evidence.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries continues to strive towards responsible management of resources to maintain a conducive environment in which the fishing and agriculture sectors can thrive.
The government of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has issued a tender for proposals to revolutionise its digital economy. This ambitious project will involve the development of digital identities, ID systems, payment platforms and data exchange frameworks. The winning bid will be responsible for evaluating the current state of government agencies and the territory’s digital public infrastructure.
According to the tender released on September 12, the chosen consultant will report directly to the Permanent Secretary and collaborate closely with the Digital Transformation Steering Committee. The consultancy will be structured into three key phases:
Phase One: Digital Maturity Assessment
This phase will involve assessing the current digital maturity of government entities by identifying gaps and benchmarking against best practices. The assessment will cover IT infrastructure, policies, platform development and maintenance, service delivery channels, data management practices, and the digital literacy of government employees.
Phase Two: Strategy Development and Implementation Roadmap
In this phase, the consultant will develop a comprehensive Digital Transformation Strategy and an implementation roadmap. This will include outlining initiatives, timelines, resource allocation, prioritisation, risk management, and a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework.
Phase Three: Enabling Environment
The final phase will focus on reviewing the existing legal, regulatory, and policy framework. The consultant will propose reforms to align with international standards and best practices in data protection, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
The tender explained that this phase will also aim to promote innovation and growth in the digital economy while safeguarding public interest and consumer rights. Additionally, it will ensure that digital transformation efforts are inclusive and suited to the specific context of Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The consultant will also conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment and develop a comprehensive cybersecurity framework.
Wally Castro Marine, organisers of the 2024 Xmas in July event, have donated £6,000 to Beyond the Reef, a non-profit organisation dedicated to marine education and preservation in the British Virgin Islands. The funds were raised through the sale of the event’s official reusable stainless steel tumblers, one of several eco-friendly initiatives introduced this year.
“This initiative reflects our desire to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our beaches,” said Wally Castro, owner of Wally Castro Marine. “We are proud to support a local organisation that shares our dedication to environmental stewardship.”
The 2024 Xmas in July event, held on 20th July at Pond Bay Beach in Virgin Gorda, attracted nearly 5,000 attendees and 500 vessels. It set a new standard for eco-conscious planning by minimising its environmental impact through reusable products and strict waste disposal measures.
Members of Beyond the Reef were actively involved in overseeing tumbler sales, while the Valley Sound Lions Club provided local dishes, further supporting the fundraising efforts.
“We are deeply grateful for this donation,” said Kendyl Berna, founder of Beyond the Reef. “Our oceans are a vital but fragile resource, and it’s crucial that everyone who enjoys the sea does so responsibly.”
The event, organised by Wally Castro Marine in partnership with the BVI Tourist Board and Marcos Rivera, highlights the importance of sustainable tourism in the region.
“By choosing the BVI, attendees support our local economy and marine tourism industry,” said Clive McCoy, BVI tourism director. “They also help our local non-profits continue their vital work.”
For more information, visit Wally Castro Marine’s website or contact the BVI Tourism Office in Puerto Rico.
Leading telecommunications provider Flow has reaffirmed its commitment to fully restoring its fixed network, including broadband, landline, and television services, after widespread damage from Tropical Storm Ernesto. The company’s technical teams have been working tirelessly to reconnect customers affected by the storm, which disrupted essential services across the region.
Since Ernesto made landfall, Flow has mobilized additional resources, including field technicians and engineers, to expedite recovery efforts. The primary focus has been on assessing and repairing damaged infrastructure, reconnecting homes and businesses, and ensuring that critical services are brought back online throughout the Territory.
“Within the first three days, we restored 95% of mobile connections. Our fixed network connectivity has significantly improved from 20% to 93% for internet service,” said Nadia A. James, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Flow. “Our teams are dedicated to restoring connectivity for impacted customers and are working around the clock, seven days a week, to make this happen. We will continue to update the community on repair progress.”
Restoration efforts are underway in numerous Tortola communities, including Belle Vue, Road Town, Huntum’s Ghut, Lower Estate, Long Look, Greenland, Fat Hog’s Bay, Sea Cow’s Bay, Towers, Carrot Bay, Mount Healthy, Spooner’s Estate, and Chalwell Estate. Concurrent work is also taking place in Virgin Gorda.
“We know how vital connectivity is, especially in the wake of a storm,” added James. “Our goal is not just to restore services but to rebuild a stronger, more resilient network that can withstand future storms. We are committed to reconnecting our customers and delivering the reliable service they expect from Flow.”
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