Graceway Communities donated $5,000 to the Turks and Caicos Fly Fishing Association (TCFFA) for the TCI National Saltwater Flats Fishing Guide Certification Program. The program is the first formal, nationally recognized training standard for flats fishing guides in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The program combines classroom instruction with practical, on-the-water training in fly casting, fish handling and catch-and-release practices, client service, safety, boat maintenance and responsible use of the flats. Participants who complete the course will be certified through the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College. The inaugural cohort includes experienced local guides pursuing instructor certification and new guides training to enter the profession.
By developing local expertise and professional standards, the program will help build capacity within the Turks and Caicos Islands and support the long-term sustainability of the flats fishing industry. Graceway Communities, the charitable arm of Graceway Supermarkets, says it remains committed to investing in programs that create opportunities for local people and support responsible use of the islands' natural resources.