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EMD will be undertaking Feral Pigeon Culling at Horse Point Landfill Site on a monthly basis between December 2013 and March 2014, in an effort to reduce pigeon numbers as part of the mitigation of bird strike risk to aircraft in advance of the Airport certification process.

The culling will take place between 0600hrs and 0800hrs, commencing this month on Sunday 8 December.  Whilst the landfill site is closed between these times, marshals will be in place as a safety measure and the public are requested to remain outside of the site and adhere to any directions given by the marshals.  Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.

If you have any concerns regarding the culling you are invited to contact Mike Durnford, Environmental Risk Manager at EMD on 22270, or via e-mail 

mike-durnford@enrd.gov.sh

SHG

4 December 2013

The Overseas Territories Environment and Climate Fund (Darwin Plus) was launched last year by the UK Government, with the aim of helping to deliver long-term strategic outcomes for the natural environment in the UK’s Overseas Territories.

The second round of 2013 bidding was recently completed and St Helena was very successful, with five bids awarded:

• St Helena Baseline Assessment of Physical Environmental Parameters
• Taxonomic and Conservation Status of Oceanodroma Storm Petrels in the South Atlantic
• Securing St Helena’s Rare Cloud Forest Trees and Associated Invertebrates
• Conservation of the Spiky Yellow Woodlouse and Black Cabbage Tree Woodland
• Darwin Fellowship – MRes Carbon Sequestration in Community Forests

The St Helena Baseline Assessment (awarded £96,700) will provide a foundation for effective environmental management through gathering baseline information of physical parameters to allow the assessment of change on St Helena, including the impact of the new airport and associated economic activity.

The Taxonomic and Conservation Status of Oceanodroma Storm Petrels in the South Atlantic aims to clarify whether storm petrels nesting on St Helena and Ascension Island are the same species that occurs elsewhere in the Atlantic, or whether they constitute one or more species to new science.  The project, awarded £43,430, will survey all known colonies and re-assess their IUCN conservation status. 

Securing St Helena’s Rare Cloud Forest Trees and Associated Invertebrates was awarded a sum of £98,380. This will be used to secure the existence of four endangered and critically endangered keystone endemic tree species and their associated invertebrate fauna in the Peaks National Park.

The project entitled Conservation of the Spiky Yellow Woodlouse and Black Cabbage Tree Woodland was granted to the St Helena Nature Conservation Group.  The £37,090 grant will be used to stabilise and restore a further hectare of woodland, enhancing populations of several very rare endemic ferns and invertebrates. A captive breeding programme will safeguard the last few spiky yellow woodlice, whilst detailed biodiversity surveys will inform longer term management.

The MRes study (£21,617) will investigate carbon sequestration of selected endemic tree species, in order to provide a scientific basis to register a carbon off-setting scheme. This will provide information on the carbon sequestration potential of schemes on St Helena and, in turn, will also allow calculations of current and future carbon capacity of restoration sites on the Island.

The projects will be delivered by a variety of partners, including: the Environment Management Division of St Helena Government; St Helena National Trust; St Helena Nature Conservation Group; Buglife; RSPB; the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Queens University, Ontario, Canada.

Ben Sansom, Head of SHG’s Environmental Management Division, said:

“St Helena was awarded funding for 5 projects out of a total of 15 OT projects which were selected for funding this year. This is a great result and testament to the collaborative bidding and delivery of nature conservation projects on the Island.  Our next challenge is to ensure that the skills and knowledge gained through delivering these projects are retained on Island, so we can ensure the long term protection of our unique environment.”

Chris Hillman, Director of the St Helena National Trust, added:

“Given the stiff competition this year and with only two million pounds to cover the 14 OTs, St Helena has done extremely well this year. The five successful projects will provide further information in support of conservation initiatives and needs on the Island. What is most needed now is support for trained Saints to plan and carry out the conservation management on the ground for the long term.”

The Darwin Plus fund brings together two existing UK Government funding mechanisms: the DfID/FCO-funded Overseas Territories Environment Programme (OTEP); and OT-related elements of the Defra/DfID-funded Darwin Initiative (including the Challenge Fund). This new consolidated fund aims to provide a simpler and more coordinated mechanism to support UK Overseas Territories’ natural environment issues by acting as a one-stop-shop source of funding.

SHG

3 December 2013

Public Relations Officer Kerisha Stevens has recently gained a Masters Degree in Communications, Media and Public Relations from the University of Leicester.

Kerisha began her studies in October 2011 via a long distance programme offered through SHG’s training programme, which saw her studying alongside of her job role.  

Modules in Year One included Key Issues and Approaches in Media Study, Media History and Social Regulation; Media in a Global Context and Communications and Globalisation.  Year Two saw Kerisha study Professional Practices and Audience Reception, and submit a 14,949 word Dissertation.

Kerisha’s final Dissertation was titled: ‘Television, the Internet and Young Saints’, which saw her exploring television and internet use among young people on the remote Island of St Helena.

On gaining her Masters, Kerisha said:

“I’m extremely grateful to SHG for giving me the opportunity to study for my Masters. Gaining this Degree is my biggest achievement and after two years of intense study it is such a relief to have completed it successfully.

“Not having a preceding Degree meant I had to study harder – at times studying alongside of my normal work was challenging, often resulting in late nights and early mornings, especially when assignments were due in. However, I can look back over the last two years with pride and be confident that my knowledge of communications has grown and I am now better placed to understand the ever changing media and communications world and use this knowledge in my important communications work for SHG.

Chief Public Relations Officer Ian Jones commented:

“This is a tremendous achievement and I pay tribute to Kerisha for all her hard work and her dedication to completing her studies – which I have witnessed first hand.  She is a credit to the Island.”

St Helena Government is committed to creating a culture of continuous improvement and development to help employees maximise their potential.  The training programme allows employees an opportunity to acquire professional qualifications to assist their own development and improve systems and practices within Government.

A photo of Kerisha accompanies this release.

SHG

3 December 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In May 2012 a Ministry of Defence (MOD) team from Salvage and Marine Operations, supported by environmental scientists from RPS Consultants, visited St Helena to survey the wreck of the RFA Darkdale and the surrounding James’ Bay. 

The subsequent MOD report and recommendations for SHG are published today and have all been accepted, including a recommendation that the remaining oil be removed from the wreck at the earliest opportunity.  The MOD has secured funding for the oil removal and we will now work with MOD and FCO to implement the recommendations, all of which are designed to safeguard St Helena’s precious marine environment for the future.

The RFA Darkdale was a fleet fuel tanker stationed at St Helena in World War II. In October 1941, she was attacked and sunk by a U-Boat in James’ Bay and since that time she has been slowly seeping oil – visible as a light sheen over the wreck site. A large oil leak in 2010 caused the Island’s Governor at the time, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the MOD (as owner of the wreck) to call for a formal survey of the wreck. 

The outcome of the survey report showed that the wreck of the RFA Darkdale lies in two parts. The stern section lies on its port side and has suffered substantial torpedo damage. The bow section lies inverted and is in very good condition given the age of the wreck and the time submerged. This bow section is estimated to contain between 2,326 and 4,952 m³ of oil.

The survey found that there were generally low levels of hydrocarbon contamination in water samples taken at the wreck site. Sediment samples were comparably more contaminated and levels of various hydrocarbon compounds exceeded Environmental Quality Standards (EQS). The majority of the fish samples taken at the wreck site were found to contain low level hydrocarbon contamination and approximately 10% of the fish/shellfish sampled exceeded the relevant EQSs and may be a hazard to human health if consumed.

The wreck continues to corrode and the eventual release of the oil is inevitable unless action is taken to remove oil from the wreck. The environmental study into the potential effects of a large oil spill found that that there would be short term lethal risk to inshore fish species, and oil persisting in the environment would further hinder the recovery of these species, potentially causing long term sub-lethal effects.

Following the survey and subsequent analysis and review of the wreck, the team has now produced a report with the following recommendations, that:

 

• The remaining oil on the wreck is removed
• St Helena Government prohibits anchoring within 200m of the wreck site
• SHG imposes a fishing ban over the wreck and its immediate area
• A larger sample of fish from a wider area should be taken and analysed for hydrocarbon contamination
• A long term programme of fish and environmental monitoring is set up

 

A full copy of the Report, including the introductory Executive Summary, can be found at:

https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Darkdale-report-issue-1-complete-with-annexes.pdf

Head of the Environmental Management Division, Ben Sansom said:

“We fully support the recommendations in the report and will provide all the local knowledge and assistance required by the MOD to ensure the continued protection of our marine environment.

“We are particularly pleased to see that there is a recommendation to remove the oil from the wreck, which will ensure that in the long term there are no legacy contamination risks from the RFA Darkdale.”

Andy Liddell of the MOD’s Salvage & Marine Operations branch, who led the survey, added: 

“The MOD intends to remove the oil from the wreck and planning is underway to achieve this.  We are also commissioning a detailed study in to the possible contamination of fish and will work closely with St Helena Government on this study.”  

Previously, concern had also been raised that unexploded ordnance was scattered across the bay, causing a hazard to visiting ships and yachts. The outcome of the survey showed that while there were a small number of shells on or very close to the wreck, there was no evidence of ordnance being scattered more widely across the bay.

SHG will now work with FCO, MOD and other stakeholders to implement all of the recommendations, and further updates will be provided in due course.

SHG

3 December 2013

 

 

As part of St Helena Government’s (SHG) commitment to increase transparency in the Procurement process, SHG has today made available to the public an updated Contracts Register, detailing all contracts entered into since April 2012 and those currently in use. This register is intended to give the public increased visibility into SHG’s procurement activities.

The publication of the Contracts Register now completes the full suite of documents SHG committed to publish to increase the transparency in the Procurement process.

The full document suite consists of:

1)    Procurement Regulations

2)    Terms of Reference for the Procurement Board

3)    Rolling Procurement Plan, listing upcoming procurements

4)    Contracts Register, listing all contracts SHG has entered into

5)    A Register of Waivers, detailing each occasion any requirement of the Procurement Regulations has been waived

The Contract Register together with the other above listed documents can be found on the SHG website under publications, at the following link: www.sainthelena.gov.sh/publications/ 

 

SHG

3 December 2013

WED 11 DECEMBER

Housing Executive, Andy Crowe, and Housing Management Officer, Tracy Thomas, will carry out a series of visits on Wednesday 11 December – to meet Government tenants and assess the quality of the estates around the Island.

“It’s important that we get out of the office and spend as much time as we can on the estates”, says Tracy. There will be several stops, and the approximate timings are as follows:

• 10.00 Bradleys and on to Bottom Woods
• 11.00 Longwood (Lady Margaret Field)
• 12.00 Levelwood (Quincy Vale)
• 13.00 Cowpath and on to Half Tree Hollow
• 14.00 Jamestown (Old Boys School)

Anyone wishing to speak to the team should meet up at these times, or alternatively telephone on 22270.

Seasonal Message from SHG Housing Executive Andy Crowe

“December can be a really expensive time, especially for families, so SHG’s housing team wishes to remind everyone to make sure that their housing costs are considered.

“The holiday season is approaching, but please don’t get too carried away! It doesn’t matter whether you live in rented housing or are buying your own home, if you miss your payments the enjoyment of the holiday season could result in a long hangover, as you catch up on what you owe.”

SHG

3 December 2013

The Prince Andrew School Awards ceremony was held in the school hall on the morning of Thursday 29 November.  Head teacher Paul Starkie opened with a motivating speech about Mark Ingles, who climbed Mount Everest although he had both legs previously amputated due to severe frostbite. Paul conveyed to students that although Mark had a disability this did not prevent him from reaching his goal – with the help of team effort he never gave up and continued to strive forward.

Paul concluded with the message:

“If you set your mind to something you will succeed, be role models to others and an ambassador for Prince Andrew School.”

The awards began with the presentation of GCSE, GCE, VRQ (vocational) AS/A levels followed by individual awards for top performers. Recognition was also given to students who joined Prince Andrew School last September from overseas who achieved passes in their exams but were too late to be given certificates. The winner of the Jean Beadon Award was Keisha Peters, announced by Deputy Head of Student Services, Penny Bowers.

Niza Yon and Scott George were presented with the ‘HE Governor’s Award’ and the ‘Joy George Award’ respectively.

Joy George commented:

“These two students achieved this award today because of their good attitude towards their learning.”

The ‘Bishop Houghton Award’, presented by Cathy Hopkins, was awarded to Lisa Joshua, who showed commitment not only within her studies but also with dedication to her extracurricular activities and volunteering.

The ‘Prince Andrew School PTA Award’ was presented to Josh Hubbard, who also received a prize sponsored by Sure Ltd, with student Robin Midwinter as the top performers within Year 11. 

Top vocational students were awarded in each year group by Kirsty Joshua and Tammy Williams. This particular award acknowledges students who have shown enthusiasm within fields such as agriculture, mechanics, hospitality and design and technology. The final award of the day was the ‘Highest Vocational Skills Achiever’ presented to Stephan Isaac presented with a sponsered prize from Solomons.

Brining to a close to the presentation, Head Girl Chelsea Young gave a vote of thanks to the Governor, and added:

“I hope the awards ceremony today provides motivation for all students, and I wish you all good luck for the future.”

Closing remarks came from Director of Education and Employment, Colin Moore, who stressed the importance of vocational and academic qualifications and the sheer number of young people who are today recognised for their success.

SHG

2 December 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His Excellency Governor Capes has appointed Frank Wastell as the new Attorney General for St Helena, following Ken Baddon’s tenure. Mr Baddon relinquished Office on 30 November 2013.

Frank, previously Solicitor General, has been appointed from 1 December 2013 and this morning took the required Oaths in the presence of Governor Capes, in his office at the Castle. Frank now becomes the principal Legal Adviser for the St Helena Government and has been initially contracted for a period of two years.  

 

SHG

2 December 2013

Over the past month, discussions have been held between St Helena Government (SHG) and the Bank of St Helena (BOSH) to try and find a solution to the lack of Sterling currency on the Island at the current time.

The increased demand for Sterling has been fuelled by a number of factors: the increased movements between St Helena and Cape Town, the tight currency regulations around the movement of Rand out of South Africa, the move by Bureau de Change outlets to require clean Sterling for exchange rather than marked notes, and rules around the movement of monies between territories.

Both SHG and BOSH have been seeking a solution and can now announce that Sterling will be made available to the public following the return of the RMS from Cape Town (V201), arriving on Wednesday 11 December 2013.  Plans have been put in place to ensure that monies will be made available on Island through the Bank.  An administrative charge will be added to any future exchanges to cover an element of the additional costs of transporting Sterling to St Helena, which mainly relates to the insurance cost.

It must be noted that marked Sterling can be used in the UK – and BOSH does hold Euros for people travelling to Europe.

SHG

2 December 2013