A ROYAL VISIT AT OUR PROJECT IN TOBAGO!
Added to website: 18 March 2008
2008 is the International Year of the Reef and on the 6th March, Their Royal Highnesses’ The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles and Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, met with the Coral Cay Conservation team in Tobago as part of their visit to the Buccoo Reef Trust.
Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) and the Buccoo Reef Trust (BRT) are working in close collaboration with the Tobago House of Assembly and the United Nations on the Tobago Coastal Ecosystems Mapping Project, a pioneering project to map Tobago’s coral reefs in preparation for the establishment of a network of new marine protected areas.
Their Royal Highnesses were warmly greeted by CCC’s Founder, Peter Raines MBE, who introduced them to his 26-strong team of volunteers. This was the third occasion Prince Charles and Pete have met on behalf of CCC, the most recent being during His visit to CCC in Fiji.
CCC’s Expedition Leader, Simon Barden, and Chief Technical Advisor, Jan van Bochove, briefed Their Royal Highnesses on the research, education and capacity development programmes being undertaken by CCC and BRT. A highlight of the project is the successful CCC Scholarship Programme for Trinidadians and Tobagonians, and many of the CCC Scholars were present to meet Their Royal Highnesses to share with them their experiences working and training with CCC.
The visit was very relaxed and informal with plenty of opportunity for a light-hearted chat amongst everyone. Commenting on this, Pete Raines said: “Through their genuine warmth, friendliness, informed knowledge and deep concern for the environment, Prince Charles and Camilla instantly engaged and delighted all who were present and made the whole event extremely personal and fun. For me, witnessing the smiles, laughter, banter and copious warm handshakes between Their Royal Highnesses and the CCC Scholars brought very proud and affectionate tears to my eyes!”
BRT is making preparations to construct a major new Marine Research Centre at Bon Accord, where Prince Charles unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit and warmly wished BRT and its Tobago Marine Research Centre success for the future.
Funded by the Jack Petchey Foundation, later this year CCC plans to send 20 school children from London to Tobago, as part of CCC’s IYOR 2008 commitments.
