I've been at the SFS center on South Caicos for two weeks now. I've done 8
snorkel trips and 3 Scuba dives. The answer to your question is: yes, I do see
trash around many of the areas where I dive. Most of it is in the form of old
soda cans and old tires. The trash tends to collect closer to the shore where
people throw it off the end of the docks. Further from shore I have seen
discarded conch shells left by the fishers. After they catch the conch, they
knock out the animal from within the shell and then throw the empty shell
overboard. This causes large piles of empty shells to form on the sea bottom.
For the most part, however, the Turks and Caicos Islands area is a very clean
and untouched area in which to dive.
For those students who are from colder climates, is it difficult to
adjust to the hot, hot sun? ...Paula P., Memphis, Tennessee, USA
by Erica Fenton, 2/18/97, South Caicos Island
Since I come from a cold weather climate, arriving on South Caicos in
February to discover eighty degree temperatures and clear blue skies was a
welcome change. Although my first instinct was to spend all day in the sun, I
was careful to take proper precautions in order to prevent a painful sunburn
and other heat-related illnesses. Some of the things I do to cope with the sun
include staying in the shade whenever possible and wearing loose, cotton
clothing as protection. It is especially important to avoid the sun between the
hours of 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and to wear sunscreen with a high SPF. Drinking
lots of water helps reduce the chance of headaches and fatigue. Snorkeling and
swimming helps cool me off, and I have adjusted well to the hot, hot sun.
Are there any poisonous animals in the water around South
Caicos? ...George R., Los Angeles, California, USA
by Brian Dean, South Caicos Island, 2/17/97
There are several animals in the waters around South Caicos that are
venomous. None of these creatures are poisonous enough to be fatal, but they
can leave a nasty injury on an unwary swimmer. The most common poisonous
creature is a kind of coral called fire coral. If it touches bare skin, it can leave a
painful sting. The fire sponge can leave a sting as well. Perhaps the most
recognizable poisonous animals around South Caicos are jelly fish. Sea Wasps
are a kind of jellyfish that can leave some of the most painful stings of any
jellyfish.
The only true fishes around here that are poisonous are the scorpionfish, which
is actually very rare, and the stingray, which is very common. We usually see
stingrays every time we go on a dive or a snorkel, and some of them can be
five feet across. You have to really bother them a lot for them to actually sting
you, however. They are very beautiful and fun to swim around with.
