Category: Press Releases

The International Day of Plant Health is marked worldwide every year on 12 May. It is marked to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect biodiversity and the environment, and boost economic development.

It provides a timely reminder of why plant health is vital for nature around the world, including on St Helena. The endemic trees of St Helena are a unique and irreplaceable component of St Helena’s biodiversity and in turn support a huge number of endemic invertebrates. Unfortunately, these endemic trees are under threat from habitat loss, climate change and plant diseases.

In November 2022 it was announced that a number of endemic trees within the Peaks National Park had been discovered to be dying as a result of multiple plant pathogens, including a Phytophthora water mould. These pathogens were identified as part of the ongoing Darwin Plus funded project ‘Managing the pathogens threatening St Helena’s biodiversity and food security’.

Following further research and monitoring, in April 2023 access to some areas of the Peaks National Park was prohibited under powers granted by an amendment to the Environmental Protection Ordinance 2016. As an initial step, access to specific areas of the Peaks National Park will be prohibited until the end of December 2023. Access is prohibited to help prevent the further spread of a range of plant pathogens within the Peaks National Park whilst authorities work to improve their understanding of the issue.

A large scale work programme is ongoing to identify the individual plant pathogens present on the Peaks and assess their impacts on endemic trees. This work includes testing of individual plants for the presence of pathogens, testing soil and water samples to figure out how the pathogens might be spreading, and laboratory analysis of plant samples to confirm the scientific identification of the pathogens present.

So far, the public response to the access restrictions covering parts of the Peaks National Park has been overwhelmingly positive and it is clear that the St Helena public appreciates and values the island’s unique biodiversity. We would like to take this opportunity to thank locals and visitors for helping to safeguard the Island’s precious habitats and endemics, and we ask that everyone continues to play their part in trying to achieve this aim.

More information on the International Day of Plant Health 2023 can be found online via www.fao.org/plant-health-day.

#StHelena #Biodiversity #Pathogens #IDPH #InternationalDayOfPlantHealth

The Provisional Register of Electors was published yesterday on Tuesday 9 May 2023.

The Register of Electors is used to maintain a list of persons who are eligible to vote and stand in elections in St Helena. Anyone not included in the register, will not be able to vote or stand in any election that take place whilst this register is in effect (ordinarily the 12 months after the register is published).

Eligible persons have up until 4pm on Wednesday 24 May 2023, to submit applications to amend the Provisional Register.

Persons who are eligible to have their names entered in the Register may apply to amend the Provisional Register. Amendments can be made to include or remove their name, or to remove the name of someone who has died or left the Island or who might be no longer eligible for inclusion in the Register.

The Registration Officer aims to publish a Register which is as up-to-date and accurate as possible. In order to do so, eligible persons can apply to amend any of their personal details which may be out of date. For example, they may have changed their name since they last applied to be included on the Register or may now live in a different Electoral District and would like to change their address.  

It is also possible to amend the Register to enable voting in a different district from that in which you reside. For example, an eligible person may live in Longwood and work in Jamestown, so when there is an election, it may be more convenient for them to vote in Jamestown during the working day. It is possible for the Register to accommodate this, provided the eligible person makes an application to do so.

Persons eligible to be registered must:

• Have St Helenian Status as defined in the Immigration Ordinance, 2011
• Be 17 years of age or older with St Helena as their ordinary place of residence

The Register has been published on the SHG Website at www.sainthelena.gov.sh/news/government-gazettes.

Hard copies has also been placed at the following locations:

• The office of the Registration Officer, the Castle
• Customer Service Centre, Jamestown
• Public Library, Jamestown
• ENRP Offices, Scotland

Assistant Registration Officers Connie Johnson and Anita Legg, based at the Castle in  Jamestown, will also have access to a copy of the Provisional Register and can be contacted by persons who require any assistance.  

Applications to amend the Register using the prescribed ‘Form A’ will need to be submitted to the Registration Officer, at the Castle, by no later than 4pm on Wednesday 24 May 2023. ‘Form A’ is available on the SHG website via through www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Form-Election-Register-A.pdf, as well as at the Castle Reception.

Further information about registering and making amendments may be obtained from the Registration Officer, Carol Henry, at the Castle, by telephone on 22470 or via email through carol.henry@sainthelena.gov.sh.

The final Register of Electors for the 12 month period commencing 1 July 2023 will be published towards the end of June.

If your name is not on the Register of Electors you will not be able to stand or vote in any Bye-Election or General Election. It is therefore your responsibility to check the Provisional Register and to make application to have your name included if it is not already listed.

#StHelena #ProvisionalRegisterOfElectors #RegisterToVote

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SHG
10 May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected the Island’s tourism sector. With the lifting of restrictions in August 2022, estimates forecasted that the peak tourist demand season for 2022/23 (between October to March) was likely to see around 50% of the number of visitor arrivals and of visitor spend when compared to the 2019/20 peak tourist demand season (the last season to be largely unaffected by COVID-19).

Recently available data released by the Statistics Office indicates that tourism demand was in fact higher than anticipated, suggesting recovery is happening faster than anticipated for the sector.

Total arrivals by air of visitors with a leisure purpose between April 2022 and March 2023 was 1,488, 61% of the number during the same period in 2019/20 (2,436). This is despite quarantine requirements being in effect for the first five months of this period. Figures for air arrivals of leisure visitors during the peak tourist demand season between October 2022 and March 2023 were even stronger, at 74% of the same period in 2019/20 (1,153 compared to 1,564).

This is very positive news for both the tourism sector and for the wider Island. Prior to the pandemic, tourism – through the provision of services to visitors – had grown into St Helena’s biggest export sector. In 2019/20 visitation expenses of tourists and other visitors were provisionally estimated by the Statistics Office to account for around 11% of all money coming in from abroad. This makes it the biggest contribution to the Island’s economy after UK financial and capital aid, which was estimated to be around 84%.

The Statistics Office have also made provisional estimates that the total expenditure of visitors in 2022/23 was between £3.9 and £5.4 million. Whilst lower than 2019/20, this is nonetheless higher than had been anticipated:

	2018/19	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23
Visiting friends and relatives	£2.5m to 3.5m	£2.3m to 3.1m	£0.9m to 1.2m	£2.2m to 3.0m	£2.2m to 3.0m
Leisure tourist	£1.9m to 2.6m	£1.8m to 2.4m	£0.1m	£0.4m to 0.6m	£1.0m to 1.3m
Other	£0.9m to 1.3m	£0.7m to 1.1m	£0.4m to 0.7m	£0.7m to 1.0m	£0.7m to 1.1m
Total	£5.3m to 7.4m	£4.8m to 6.6m	£1.4m to 2.0m	£3.3m to 4.6m	£3.9m to 5.4m

It should also be noted that the positive figures for the last year were not only in spite of the necessary disruption caused by quarantine requirements, but also against much reduced air access arrangements. Even after the phased recommencement of the Airlink service began in March 2022, the peak tourist demand seasons in 2022/23 only had weekly flights, rather than twice weekly flights as in previous years. The operation of a second weekly flight during the period 28 November 2023 to the end of February 2024 should provide additional opportunities to the tourism sector and Island businesses.

Minister for Treasury, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, Mark Brooks, said:

“These figures paint a very encouraging picture for the Island’s fortunes after the significant impacts the pandemic has had on our economy. The Island’s future prosperity will undoubtedly be influenced by our tourism sector. To see it already bouncing back like this is therefore great news.”

“With the launch of the Tourism Recovery Strategy last week, and the announcement that £500k of this year’s budget will be ring-fenced for tourism development activities, we hope to see this sector move from strength to strength over the next 12 months.”

#StHelena #Tourism #TourismRecovery #ABreathOfFreshAir

The Environment, Natural Resources, and Planning Portfolio is experiencing a shortage of professional veterinary provision within their Veterinary and Livestock Section due to the absence of a Senior Veterinary Officer. As a result, the section’s services to veterinary clients will be temporarily reduced until a new Senior Veterinary Officer is in post.

Our focus is currently on continuing the routine services that the local paravets provide. As a result, the following services will be affected with immediate effect:

• Neutering of domestic animals.
• Major operations for farm and domestic animals.
• Provision of diagnosis of ailments in both farm and domestic animals.
• Artificial Insemination.
• New applications for imports and exports of animals from Europe, South Africa or the Rest of the World (excluding Ascension Island).

Due to the absence of a Senior Veterinary Officer, affected services will not be routinely offered at this time. An emergency veterinary service is however still available, delivered by a Veterinary Surgeon. Requests for this service should be made through contacting the Veterinary and Livestock Section team. During the normal working day they can be reached by telephone on 24724, or after-normal-work hours through the on-call staff member by contacting telephone number 26162.

All queries and feedback regarding veterinary services can be directed to the Veterinary Services Officer, Ken Henry or Agriculture Development Officer, Andrea Timm via ken.henry@sainthelena.gov.sh  or andy.timmm@sainthelena.gov.sh or by telephone on 24724.

We apologise and thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during this period.

#StHelena #Veterinary

Chief Minister, Julie Thomas, departed St Helena on Saturday 29 April 2023, to travel to the UK. Whilst there she will be attending the Coronation of His Majesty The King and the annual Overseas Territories (OTs) Joint Ministerial Council (JMC).

The Chief Minister and Governor will be representing St Helena at the Coronation on Saturday 06 May as well as attending a number of functions related to the event. They will also be at an official reception of leaders from the Commonwealth and Overseas Territories hosted by HM The King at Buckingham Palace on Friday 05 May, and at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday 07 May.

JMC events will run from Wednesday 10 May to Friday 12 May. The JMC takes place every year in London and is hosted by the UK Government. It brings together elected leaders and representatives from all of the OTs, as well as UK Ministers, and provides the principal forum for political dialogue and consultation between the UK and the OTs.

The JMC was due to begin on 7 November 2022 but was postponed at late notice due to the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II shortly beforehand. Whilst in the UK the Chief Minster will also be undertaking a number of engagements with key stakeholders and partners.

The Chief Minister will be supported by Governor Nigel Phillips CBE and St Helena Government UK Representative Kedell Worboys MBE, throughout the trip.

On her visit Chief Minister, Julie Thomas, said:

“It is an honour to be representing our Island at the Coronation of HM The King. Both this and the JMC offer an important platform to engage with key partners over issues of significant importance to St Helena. As well as coronation proceedings, I have a full programme of events for my time in the UK. I will be attending the JMC itself, having bilateral meetings with UK Government officials and UK Ministers, as well as a number of engagements with important Island partners and other OT representatives.”

“The trip will provide an opportunity to build on the links this Government has established with key UK Government colleagues and the elected leaders of the wide variety of territories that make up our OT family. I will be championing all of the innovative and successful work underway in St Helena, but also looking to learn from the experiences of others and build networks that can be used to try and translate some of those into a St Helena context, and vice versa.”

The Chief Minister is due to arrive back on St Helena on Saturday 20 May. Whilst the Chief Minister is off-Island, Minister Christine Scipio has been appointed Deputy Chief Minister.

#StHelena #JMC #KingsCoronation

Chief Minister Julie Thomas departed the Island on Saturday 29 April 2023 to travel to the UK. Whilst there she will represent St Helena at the Coronation of King Charles III and the Queen Consort and attend the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) of Overseas Territories.

In accordance with section 37F (6) of the Constitution, Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Planning, Christine Scipio, has been appointed Deputy Chief Minister. During this time, Minister Scipio has been granted the authority to act in the capacity of the Chief Minister to discharge the functions and responsibilities of the office of Chief Minister, as well as the Chief Minister’s Portfolio duties.

The Chief Minister is due to arrive back at St Helena on Saturday 20 May 2023.

#StHelena

International Drone Day is observed annually on the first Saturday in May, meaning this year it falls on Saturday 6 May 2023. It is a day used to celebrate and highlight all things related to drones.

What are drones?

A drone is a type of aircraft that is controlled by a pilot (operator) however the operator is not actually inside the aircraft, instead they control the aircraft remotely via remote control.

Drones are not only used recreationally around the world but also commercially to take aerial photographs and videos, surveillance, search and rescue, gathering data, delivering supplies, and monitoring property, amongst other uses. Advantages of drones include their flexibility and affordability, as well as their ability to reach areas that a human operator would be unable to physically access themselves. 

This year on St Helena, a few weeks are being dedicated to promote and raise awareness around the safe operation and legal requirements of these operating small unmanned aircraft (SUA’s), which are more commonly known as drones.

Drones have become increasingly popular globally by both hobbyists and professionals. Like the rest of the world, on St Helena the purchase and operation of drones is on the increase. On Island, drones are used for both private and commercial purposes. 

The use of drones across St Helena and its territorial waters is governed by the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order (AN(OT)O). 

Persons and or businesses using a drone in St Helena for commercial purposes (work for gain/  valuable consideration) are required to apply to the Island’s airport regulator, the Air Safety Support International (ASSI), and seek permission to conduct aerial in accordance with the AN(OT)O.

Why are drone rules important?

A drone operator is legally responsible for flying their drone safely. Therefore it is important operators fully understand their legal responsibilities, which are to be considered each time they are planning a flight.

Essentially, under the AN(OT)O a drone operator’s responsibilities are to:

• Seek the relevant permissions from:
  • ASSI (Commercial flight requests)
  • St Helena Airport (for Restricted and No Fly Zone flight requests)
  • Authorities (Commercial / Operational areas) and Land Owners (Private land)
• Operate in accordance with the ASSI Direction restricting the use of drones and implementing the St Helena Drone Fly Zone map (Safe Fly Zone, Restricted Fly Zone, No Fly Zone)
• Keep your drone within sight at all times
• Not fly higher than 120m (400ft) above ground level
• Fly only in good visibility and weather conditions
• Consider rights of privacy
• Keep your distance:
  • Do not fly within 120m (400ft) of any congested area
  • Do not fly within 120m (400ft) of an open air gathering of more than 400 persons
  • Do not fly within 45m (150ft) of any person, vessel, vehicle, building, structure or overhead grounds of people at any height which is not under the control of the person in charge of the Drone

Non-adherence to regulations set out in the ASSI AN(OT)O is a serious offence and will result in summary conviction and penalty.

More information

Guidance on the use of drones can be found on the St Helena Airport website http://sthelenaairport.com/pilots/drone/ and the ASSI website www.airsafety.aero/aircraft/small-unmanned-aircraft.

All drone operators, new or experienced, benefit from rules and safety tips to help them fly safe – Drone safety is the law. 

Have a question about Drone operations on St Helena? If so, information enquiries may be sent to SHG Civil Aviation via email address tessa.roberts@sainthelena.gov.sh, or by telephone on 22477. Alternatively these can be directed to St Helena Airport via email address operations@sthelenaairport.aero or the Accountable Manager Gwyneth Howell by telephone on 25175 / 63131.

Fly safely, stay in control!

#StHelena #InternationalDroneDay #DroneDay

Three public warning systems have recently been installed on St Helena and are located in Rupert’s and Jamestown.

The units are Tannoy speaker systems, intended to warn all persons in these areas of an impending threat by way of emitting a siren tone. They also have the capability to broadcast very basic voice messaging.

Jamestown and Rupert’s were chosen due to their dense populations and various strategic assets, such as key public or Island services.

The units will be operated by the Joint Emergency Control Centre located at the Royal St Helena Police Headquarters. The system also has the capability of being operated from other backup locations on the Island if needed.

The siren alert sound will be a wailing tone, similar to an air raid siren.

If you hear the siren sound in one of these areas please follow these instructions:

1. GO IN – Go indoors (unless the message advised otherwise)
2. STAY IN – Stay indoors (unless the message advised otherwise)
3. TUNE IN – Tune in to your local radio station for more details and updates on the situation

Further guidance on what to do in an emergency when the sirens are sounding will be issued in due course.

The emergency services will be testing the sirens in the near future. This will be an opportunity for all in the area to hear the wailing tone the siren emits. More information will follow with regards to when these tests will take place.

Maintenance testing will also be conducted each month to ensure the siren system is operating correctly. These test will be carried out on the first Tuesday of each month between 12:00 and 12:30. During these tests the sirens will emit a different sound to the alert tone. This is to reduce confusion between an actual alert and a scheduled maintenance test, whilst still allowing authorities to test the system effectively.

#StHelena #EmergencyPlanning

SHG

28 April 2023

The Emergency Planning Department would like to advise the public that two additional Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) have been installed at the following locations following approval of the necessary planning permission.

• Outside of the Royal St Helena Police Post in Longwood
• Outside of the Customs Building in Jamestown (Near the entrance to the Immigration Office)

What is an AED and when and how are they used

Defibrillators are devices that send a safe electric shock to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat when someone is not conscious and not breathing (i.e. they are in cardiac arrest).

A defibrillator may also be referred to as a DEFIB, an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) or a PAD (Public Access Defibrillator). Statistics show that if a defibrillator is used on a patient within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, they have a 60-70% chance of making a full recovery. 

The type of AEDs placed around the Island are designed so that they can be used by anyone, without specialist training. Once turned on they will instruct the user through voice commands on exactly how to use the device safely, for both the patient and the operator.

If you require access to an AED, the code to the cabinet can be requested from the Emergency Control Centre when dialling 999.

A reminder of all locations

AEDs have now been placed in the following locations:

District	Location
Half Tree Hollow	Half Tree Hollow Clinic (Outside of the main entrance)
St Paul’s	The Pavilion Area (In the Green Shed) at Francis Plain
Levelwood	Silver Hill Shop (Outside)
Blue Hill	Blue Hill Community Centre (Outside)
Sandy Bay	Bamboo Hedge Shop (Outside)
Rupert’s	Sea Rescue Building (Outside the main entrance)
Longwood	Royal St Helena Police Post (Outside)
Jamestown	Customs Building (Near the entrance to the Immigration office)

There are also other AEDs located in Jamestown at the Royal Saint Helena Police HQ reception and at HM Prison.

#StHelena #Defibrillator #AED

SHG

28 April 2023

Students, parents and invited guests gathered at Prince Andrew School (PAS) Hall to celebrate the annual Certificate and Awards Ceremony today, Thursday 27 April 2023.

The Ceremony, to award students their certificates for exams that were taken in May/June 2022, began with an inspirational speech by Acting Governor, Greg Gibson.

The first round of presentations were to award former year 9, 11, 12 and 13 students their certificates in the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), Vocationally Recognised Qualifications (VRQ), Foundation Certificate of Secondary Education (FCSE) in French, Advanced Subsidiary, and A-Levels.

Shortly after, presentations were made for individual achievements:

Award	Awardee
Jean Beadon Art Award	Hathaikan Sawangwong
The Governor’s Award for Excellence at Key Stage 3	Blane Bennett and Bobbi Clingham
The PTA Student of the Year Award	Vivienne Ponsford (Year 11) Katie-Raye Williams (Year 13)
SURE Sponsorship Awards	Vivienne Ponsford (Year 11) Jacob Williams (Year 11)
The Jeanette Williams Maths Awards	Jacob Williams (Year 11) Kirsten Augustus (Year 13)
The English Language Awards	Vivienne Ponsford (Year 11) Katie-Raye Williams (Year 13)
Eliza Mary Lloyd Trust Agriculture Award	Blake Benjamin-Peters
Bishop Houghton Award	Kaelyn Thomas
The Joy George Award (recognising outstanding work at KS3)	William Caswell, Diederik Robbertse and Jayann Fowler

In addition, Year 12 student, Ashlie Thomas, was awarded a certificate from the Royal Saint Helena Police Service for undertaking an act of courage and bravery and for being an outstanding member of the Student Council and bravely supporting a vulnerable student.

The Ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Student President, Stefan Thomas, and Vice Student President, Rianne Joshua, and closing remarks from Chief Minister, Julie Thomas.

Prince Andrew School Head Teacher, Penny Bowers, concluded:

“Well done to all awardees today, and especially those who achieved special awards – your dedication to your studies have paid off!  We are very pleased for all of our students who have worked hard and achieved their certificates. We wish them all well from PAS as they embark on the next stage of their journey!”

#StHelena #Awards #AltogetherBetterForChildrenAndYoungPeople

SHG
27 April 2022