Community Braai to Celebrate the Tristan MPZ
Report and photos from James Glass and Kelly Green
On Sunday the 10th October 2021, the Chief Islander, James Glass, held a community braai (barbeque) to celebrate Tristan da Cunha declaring the largest Marine Protected Zone (MPZ) in the Atlantic Ocean, in November 2020. The MPZ covers a massive 687,247km2! An area almost 3 times as big as the UK!
The braai was held in the Prince Philip Hall at 12.30, and was a great festivity with everyone coming together. It was a genuine island effort. Island ladies made so many tasty salads, bread rolls and garlic breads. Some men walked up to the base to get the mutton, and even Tourism's bakery made hotdog rolls for everyone to dig into. Some island men slaved away cooking over the hot braais all day, so everyone could enjoy a bountiful meal!
James Glass (Chief islander) made a passionate speech expressing thanks to Andy Schofield (RSPB) for the money they contributed towards the celebration, and recognising all the other organisations that have helped Tristan achieve such an extensive no take zone - a massively noble thing to do for our world's oceans! He also thanked his lovely wife Felicity for all her hard work and organisation for the day's events, and showed gratitude to all that helped and contributed.
It really was a family fun filled day for all!
Preparating and Cooking the Meats |
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| Tristan and Kieran Glass preparing the lobster tails for the braai. Photo: James Glass | |
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| Julian Repetto, Simon Glass, and Riaan Repetto keeping an eye on the sausages. Photos: James Glass | |
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| The BBQ team (left to right): Cedric Swain, Simon Glass, Tristan Glass, Julian Repetto, Shane Green, Rodney Green, Steve Swain, Dean Repetto, Riaan Repetto, and Larry Swain. Photo: James Glass |
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| Larry Swain seasoning, and Steve Swain & Shane Green turning the meat on the braai. Photo: James Glass | |
The food laid out in Prince Philip Hall |
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| Above: Breads. Below: Salads. Photos: James Glass | |
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| The meats: lamb, pork rashers, sausages (Russians, Cheeso, Braaiwors), and lobster. Photo: James Glass | |
The Chief Islander's Speech at the BBQ Celebration
"I would like to welcome everyone who has come to celebrate the implementation of our Marine Protection Zone. As you are all aware, Tristan da Cunha's community has legally secured the Atlantic's largest fully-protected marine reserve.
This has been the result of years of work, and we are proud to have made such a significant contribution to conservation. However, it would not have been possible without the generous support of the UK Blue Belt Programme, as well as many partners, notably the RSPB.
This celebration was put off so we could say a huge thank you to Andy Schofield who represents the RSPB, and who made a contribution today. Andy is one of the few people who I think understands the difficulties Tristanians face, balancing conservation measures with our livelihood. Now I am not sure if this is because he has made 12 trips to Tristan on a working holiday, or because he has been groomed by Trevor. Either way, we are grateful for all his support, and I would like him to reiterate our thanks to RSPB. We will be designing a South Atlantic Guardians Logo, and the islanders will all be getting a T-shirt or fleece with it on early next year. I would also like to thank the Administrators Fiona and Steve, for their contribution in seeing that all the terms and conditions have been stated in legal terms to ensure Tristan gets what it has been promised. It may seem like they haven't achieved much, but they have been working tirelessly behind the scenes, and Covid has prevented all of us from getting the people here to start making a difference - PWD, Education, Engineers for the internet, etc.
Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you for all the helpers too many to mention, as quite suddenly after debating about the weather, I only made my mind up to have this Braai yesterday afternoon, but it was the only opportunity I had whilst Andy was still here. I would like to say and big thank you to Lorraine and her staff for going to the shop yesterday, helping me get what I needed, for Shane and Steve for going on the mountain for the mutton we are having today, for Shirley and Tourism for doing the hotdog rolls, for Larry the Braai master and his team, the Island Council and everyone who has contributed, and especially Felicity who has constantly reminded me what I needed to get, or what I had forgotten.
On behalf of the community I would also like to welcome all those who came on the Agulhas II and those who will be leaving, especially Dr Alex & Sally, and Dr Silvio who I believe are just going on holiday and coming back again. So we look forward to seeing you both in the near future.
Hope you all enjoy the rest of the day, and I will hand you over to Andy
Otherwise many thanks to you all."
Andy Schofield of the RSPB then gave an impromptu speech, thanking everyone who has always made him welcome over the past years, and saying how proud the islanders should be as a community for the contribution we have made to the whole world.
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| In Prince Philip Hall, James Glass gives his speech and Andy Schofield expresses his thanks to the community. Photos: Kelly Green |
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