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.

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.

The 8th Caribbean Bee Congress will take place in St Lucia in 2016.

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

PHOTOS © BfD

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

Support: Bees for Development Trust ggratefully acknowledge Marr Munning Trust, Panta Rhea Foundation, E H Thorne (Beehives) Ltd, Trade Advance Ltd, The Waterloo Foundation, and the many groups and individuals who support our work. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to help. See our website for how to become a Supporter.