The Department of Agriculture held a two-and-a-half-day Horizon Scanning Workshop from 17th to 19th June 2026 to identify the invasive non-native species posing the greatest future threat to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The workshop, funded under the Darwin Strategic Biosecurity Project, brought international scientists together with local experts to rank invasive animal, plant, invertebrate and marine species that could harm agriculture, biodiversity, public health, the economy and natural ecosystems.
Experts came from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, University of Exeter, RSPB, Newcastle University, University of Liverpool and British Forces Cyprus, alongside the Departments of Agriculture, Environment and Coastal Resources, Environmental Health, Fisheries and Marine Resources, Border Force, the National Trust and landscapers. Groups ranked species by likelihood of arrival and impact, and the results will guide future surveillance, early detection and response. Presentations came from DECR Ecologist Dodly Prosper and Chief Plant Protection Officer Roneta Huntley Thomas. Residents are urged to report unusual plants, animals, insects or marine species, as “protecting the Turks and Caicos Islands from invasive species requires a collective effort”, with more public awareness activities due in the coming months.