COVER PHOTO © HELMY ISHAK
Bees for Development Journal 111
7th CARIBBEAN BEE CONGRESS The 7th Caribbean Bee Congress took place in St Croix in May. Organised since 1998 by ACBO, the Association of Caribbean Beekeepers Organisations, the Congress provided a unique chance for Caribbean beekeepers to meet and address their common concerns. The University of the Virgin Islands hosted the Congress, and it was given additional boost by synchronous organisation of the University of Florida 2nd Caribbean Bee College. These two events, combined with careful planning by the University’s Cooperative Extension Service, provided five days of great bee interest and learning for the 100 participants from 20 nations.
Issue No 111 In this issue
The 8th Caribbean Bee Congress will take place in St Lucia in 2016. PHOTOS © BfD
A member of the Terengganu beekeepers Group (KOPEMAT) is climbing the Tualang Koompassia excelsar tree in Pedu Lake Forest, Malaysia to collect Tualang honey from the giant honey bee Apis dorsata. The bees’ behaviour seems to be changing. See more on page 7.
St Croix lies to the East of Puerto Rico and the island is 45 km by 11 km (28 by 7 miles). St Croix offers excellent tropical habitat for bees. Congress participants had the opportunity throughout the week to meet with local beekeepers and visit their apiaries. Industrialisation of St Croix and a move away from agrarian society took place in the 1960s, though recent years have seen resurgence in agriculture following the 2012 shutdown of the Hovensa petroleum refinery.
JUNE 2014
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Practical beekeeping – swarming........3 Interview with Rahi Honey..................5 First Minister visits BfD ......................7 Letters................................................7 Practical beekeeping – smokers..........8 Look Ahead......................................11 News around the World....................12 GM Resolutions ...............................13 Bookshelf.........................................14 Notice Board.....................................15 BfD Journal Produced quarterly and sent to readers in over 130 countries Editor Nicola Bradbear PhD Co-ordinator Helen Jackson BSc
The new ACBO Secretariat elected at the Congress Left to right Quasi Andrews (Grenada), Secretary; Alistair Jacob (Antigua), Assistant Secretary; David Small (Barbados), Treasurer; Aubrey Roberts (Guyana), Vice President; Gladstone Solomon (Tobago), President
Subscriptions cost £26 per year – see page 15 for ways to pay Readers in developing countries may apply for a sponsored subscription. Apply online or use the form on page 16 BfD Trust (UK Registered Charity 1078803) works to assist beekeepers in developing countries.
Bees for Development Post 1 Agincourt Street Monmouth NP25 3DZ, UK Phone +44 (0)1600 714848 info@beesfordevelopment.org www.beesfordevelopment.org
Taking it easy in the bee yard. Caribbean Congresses offer unique opportunities for beekeepers to meet and learn from others
A honey bee apiary in St Croix. Beekeepers keep hives separated to minimise drifting and disturbance to the bees
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