Tag Archives: lobster

Turtle Rock

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Snorkeling out at Turtle Rock this afternoon was fantastic........calm waters and oh so clear.

Snorkeling out at Turtle Rock this afternoon was fantastic........calm waters and oh so clear.

We anchored off Turtle Rock for a lazy afternoon………..we had lunch and drinks along with some good snorkeling. This unique rock formation looks like a turtle and is part way between South Dock and Osprey Rock on the south side of Providenciales.

Unusual rock sculptures jutting up out of the water.

Unusual rock sculptures jutting up out of the water.

The water was “cold” for those of us that have been on island for so long but nonetheless, I braved the water to get some close shots of these unusual rock formations at Turtle Rock.

Barry will do anything for a beer as he "hangs" around Turtle Rock.

Barry will do anything for a beer as he "hangs" around Turtle Rock.

I had to bribe Barry with extra beers to make him pose for the camera.

I had to bribe Barry with extra beers to make him pose for the camera.

Lobster for dinner as we hailed a passing fishing boat.......four nice sized lobster tails.

Lobster for dinner as we hailed a passing fishing boat.......four nice sized lobster tails.

A nice sized grouper along with a parrot fish were caught that day.

A nice sized grouper along with a parrot fish were caught that day.

The snorkeling was amazing through a channel between the rocks and since it was low tide, we were in three or four feet of water.

Come snorkel with us here on Providenciales and in the other islands of the Turks and Caicos.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Lobster Hunt

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An abundance of Lobster as we headed out late this afternoon to catch them

An abundance of Lobster as we headed out late this afternoon to find some lobster.

 A late afternoon, spur of the moment decision had us heading out to find some lobster for Pete’s last night on island before he leaves tomorrow for Kentucky. I wish we could say that we actually caught them ourselves!!!  No such luck as we motored off towards Five Cays and the fish plant knowing we could hail some boats and get some lobster the lazy man’s way. We whistled to a local fishing boat and they had a few lobsters on board.

 

We managed to hail a small local fishing boat.

We managed to hail a small local fishing boat.

 As the fishing boat drew near, we could see that their catch for the day was not huge. In past years the boats would be filled……………over harvested perhaps???

A nice, one man dinner sized lobstertail.

A nice, one man dinner sized lobstertail.

 

Pete looks like he's ready to sample some delicious Caribbean Spiny Lobster

Pete looks like he's ready to sample some delicious Caribbean Spiny Lobster

 

Do you think anyone will believe Barry when he tells them he dove and caught several lobsters?

Do you think anyone will believe Barry when he tells them he dove and caught several lobsters?

 

Lobster fishing on the second day of Lobster Season in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Lobster fishing on the second day of Lobster Season in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Once we had bargained over the price for the lobsters, we stopped at Bay Cay for refreshments. It’s hard work negotiating you know!!!

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com  

Lobster Tails

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August 1 is the opening day of lobster season in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

August 1 is the opening day of lobster season in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Baskets of freshly caught lobster tails waiting to be sold out at the Fish Plant. Plan on a delicious lobster dinner this evening as all the Provo restaurants will be serving lobster tails.

Baskets of freshly caught lobster tails waiting to be sold out at the Fish Plant. Plan on a delicious lobster dinner this evening as all the Provo restaurants will be serving lobster tails.

Bon Appetit!!!

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Lionfish in the Turks and Caicos Islands

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Beautiful and colourful but a disastrous predator eating juvenile fish on Turks and Caicos Islands reefs.

Beautiful and colourful but a disastrous predator eating juvenile fish on Turks and Caicos Islands reefs.

Lionfish are also known as Turkey fish, Dragon fish or scorpion fish and they are now a serious threat to our coral reefs and surrounding waters here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. If left to their own devices, lionfish could multiply in number into the millions eating up all marine life on the reef and then move into shallower waters where they will find conch and lobster. They are an extremely invasive species.

A snuba gal comes face to face with a Lionfish and Jodi from Snuba TCI snapped this great photo.

A snuba gal comes face to face with a Lionfish and Jodi from Snuba TCI snapped this great photo.

In June of 2009, Jodi and Snuba TCI donated $1200.00 worth of Lionfish catching gear….nets, gloves and collecting bags and gave it to the DECR on Provo. Jodi has caught at least 18 Lionfish on the Bight Reef at Coral Gardens also known as the White House Reef. I believe the first Lionfish sighted way back in 2006 was in this area. Today, all the dive operators are taking up the battle to catch any Lionfish they see out at the dive sites.

Lionfish have up to 18 needle like dorsal fins which contain venom purely for defensive purposes.

Lionfish have up to 18 needle like dorsal fins which contain venom purely for defensive purposes.

Lionfish are not poisonous but their spines are venomous and can cause a nasty sting to humans. They rely on lightening quick reflexes and camouflage to catch their prey.  They are a perfectly safe and delicious food fish once the fins have been removed. What remains is a tasty filet that’s as good as grouper according to some. The DECR has launched a 12 month long lionfish tournament which will award $3,000.00 to the first fisherman to record 3,000 lionfish catches.

Lionfish will hopefully be added to the menu at many of our islands' restaurants.

Lionfish will hopefully be added to the menu at many of our islands' restaurants.

Here’s what you can do to help:  Ask for lionfish at your favourite restaurants. Ask Mickey and Jayne of Flamingo Divers or Jodi to show you how to catch them (other island dive operators can show you too). Join REEF and give a donation towards their research or just by collecting data on lionfish when you dive.

Thanks once again to Jodi of Snuba TCI and Jayne of Flamingo Divers for such great photos of Lionfish.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Chalk Sound

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My favourite photo of Chalk Sound taken from the road infront of this private home with its' own Juliet balcony

My favourite photo of Chalk Sound taken from the road infront of this private home with its' own Juliet balcony

Many peoples introduction to Chalk Sound is from the air coming into the airport. It has the most spectacular turquoise colourations dotted with mini cays or islands. For those of you familiar with our second home in Banff, Alberta, Canada…..we have Peyto Lake which has similar turquoise colour that is due to glacial rock particles that are suspended in the water.

We were lunching at Las Brisas Restaurant one day and I happened to catch some photos of this gentleman going for a swim

We were lunching at Las Brisas Restaurant one day and I happened to catch some photos of this gentleman going for a swim

Chalk Sound is variously referred to as a large lake, a land locked lagoon, a large natural creek , a bay or sound as well as an inland waterway. Take your pick. It is shallow and silty and you can see the clouds of fine sand particles kicked up by the above swimmer. That’s what gives the water its stunning turquoise colour.

View of the water looking towards Silly Creek and the residential area of beautiful private homes

View of the water looking towards Silly Creek and the residential area of beautiful private homes

Chalk Sound is a national park and is approximately three miles long (5 km) and lies in the south west part of Providenciales. At one time in the early 1900’s it was leased for raising and canning turtles, lobster and shellfish. Mr George Silly ( a part of Chalk Sound called Silly Creek still retains his name ) lived on a barren bluff between the two entrances to Chalk Sound in a thatched roofed cottage and he had a small shop and a cannery there.

Clouds reflecting in the turquoise waters of Chalk Sound

Clouds reflecting in the turquoise waters of Chalk Sound

The history of Chalk Sound revolves around various commercial enterprises such as mentioned above. George Silly also leased Chalk Sound and tried to rejuvenate the sponge industry. He had 250,000 cuttings of reef sponges sown. He continued this experiment of planting sponge beds but the operation died out after his death in 1917 and was abandonned after the war.

Chalk Sound private home with a million dollar view

Chalk Sound private home with a million dollar view

Today Chalk Sound is lined with spectacular homes but you can rent kayaks from Las Brisas Restaurant or perhaps be lucky enough to see the kids learning how to sail a Caicos Sloop. Stop in at Las Brisas Restaurant for a delicious lunch or dinner with one of the best views on Provo. Their Paella is really good………Pina Coladas too!!

An Old Man Cactus stands tall against the panoramic blue turquoise background of Chalk Sound

An Old Man Cactus stands tall against the panoramic blue turquoise background of Chalk Sound

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Lobster Season Opens

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The Caribbean Spiny Lobster locally known as crawfish

The Caribbean Spiny Lobster locally known as crawfish

Lobster season opens today and I’m sure all available boats will be out  today fishing for lobster. The Caribbean Spiny Lobster is also known as langouste, rock lobster, crayfish and crawfish and they tend to shelter in crevices of rocks and coral reefs during the day and coming out at night to feed. They have a striped body, brown-gray in colour with yellow spots on the segmented tail.

Lobsters covered the bottom of this boat

Lobsters covered the bottom of this boat

 In the Turks and Caicos Islands lobster season is from Aug 1 to March 31 and some of our fishermen learned to dive at a young age and have inherited their knowledge of lobster from their fathers or other family members.

Yum! Lobster tails for dinner this evening the opening day of lobster season!

Yum! Lobster tails for dinner this evening the opening day of lobster season!

Boats usually carry team of 2 to 4 fishermen and since the fishing boats have a shallow draft, they can stop directly over patch reefs on the Caicos Banks. The spiny lobsters are found hiding in crevices and under coral outcroppings.

A boat load of lobsters destined for many of Provo's restaurants

A boat load of lobsters destined for many of Provo's restaurants

 

I couldn't resist putting in this photo (sorry Laura!!) but this was simply the biggest lobster I've ever seen. It was huge!

I couldn't resist putting in this photo as this was simply the biggest lobster I've ever seen. It was huge!

Our guests at Harbour Club Villas will be heading to Baci’s Ristorante this evening where John will be preparing a delicious lobster feast for this evenings diners. Come on down to Baci’s for fine dining in an Italian terrazzo style ambiance nightly fresh fish and lobster specials. Hope to see you there!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Green Turtle

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Green turtles are often seen at the Bight Reef on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Green turtles are often seen at the Bight Reef on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Here’s one of Mike’s great turtle photos taken while snorkeling at the Bight Reef. There are probably three species of marine turtles in the waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands……green turtles, hawksbill and the loggerhead. Divers and snorkelers alike can be assured to see a few turtles during their stay in the islands.

A close up view of a Green Turtle

A close up view of a Green Turtle

Unfortunately, these beautiful creatures are often caught for eating and are now on the endangered list.
A local fisherman with comes in with his catch of lobster and this turtle

A local fisherman comes in with his catch of lobster and this turtle

Turtles are thought to mature between 30 and 50 years of age and apparently only one in a thousand turtle eggs survives to become a mature and reproductively active adult. We are hopeful that protective measures are being implemented to save our local Turks and Caicos turtles.
Marta
http://www.diving.tc