E75. Navigating the impact of sargassum in the Turks and Caicos Islands

In this episode we speak with Tyann Henry, who has been the Environmental Officer for the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources in the Turks and Caicos Islands since 2021, having previously held the same position for three years with the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources. During her career, Ms Henry has also worked at the Institute of Marine Affairs in Trinidad and Tobago, where she spent seven years working on age and growth research in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Programme. She holds a Master's degree in Integrated Coastal and Marine Management from the University of Trinidad and Tobago and a Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology from the University of the West Indies.

02:35 Introducing our guest

04:40 What does Sargassum mean to Tyann?

05:55 How is the TCI affected by Sargassum?

08:40 Monitoring Sargassum beachings in the Turks and Caicos Islands

11:20 How are South Caicos and Grand Turk affected by sargassum?

14:10 Sargassum management policy in the Caicos Islands

17:10 What is the process for writing a new policy like this?

18:15 What is the biggest challenge for small island governments in dealing with Sargassum?

22:40 Jenna and Fran's reflections on the episode

Relevant quote: How is the TCI affected by Sargassum: it has increased the risk of killing marine life and we rely heavily on our fisheries sector and marine ecosystems.

The Sargassum Podcast is made possible by funding from the Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity (RESEMBID) programme. RESEMBID is funded under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories Regional Programme and is implemented by Expertise France, with the 12 Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories as the main stakeholders.

Relevant links:

Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyann-henry-34493941/