Rotary Club of Central Tortola member Eileen Burke, left, presents a plaque of appreciation to Beyond the Reef. Receiving is founder Chris Juredin. 2nd from left is President of the Rotary Club of Central Tortola, Mr Shan Mohamed. Photo: VINO

President of the Rotary Club of Central Tortola Mr Shan Mohamed, who is to be officially installed tomorrow night, July 23, 2022, applauded the work of Beyond the Reef and described the organisation as ‘perfect’ for partnership as the club seeks to further push initiatives that work to save the environment, be it on land or sea. Photo: VINO

Beyond the Reef was recognised when the Rotary Club of Central Tortola held its first dinner social meeting for the new Rotary Year (2022/2023) at Village Cay on July 21, 2022. Photo: VINO

Beyond the Reef was recognised when the Rotary Club of Central Tortola held its first dinner social meeting for the new Rotary Year (2022/2023) at Village Cay on July 21, 2022.

The non-profit organisation was praised for the “amazing” work it is doing to preserve the natural resources in the territory.

‘Perfect for partnership’

President of the Rotary Club of Central Tortola Mr Shan Mohamed, who is to be officially installed tomorrow night, July 23, 2022, applauded the work of Beyond the Reef and described the organisation as “perfect” for partnership as the club seeks to further push initiatives that work to save the environment, be it on land or sea.

“Now that we know a little more about Beyond the Reef, it gives us the opportunity to see how Rotary Club of Central Tortola can work with you, in addition to coming out on some of your projects, we can help spearhead some of the public relations campaign to create more awareness because I do think we can do more to protect the coral reef among other things,” Mr Mohamed said.

Beyond the Reef about sustainability- Chris Juredin

Invited to speak about the focus of Beyond the Reef, founder Mr Chris Juredin told club members that the entity is all about providing something that is sustainable in the Virgin Islands.

“The two biggest projects that we have done since Project Queen is the artificial shipwrecks. Those are big investments for us that we know would remain in the BVI indefinitely and generate revenue for children for decades and decades to come.

Mr Juredin added that the option of just donating money to a charity is short lived, whereas artificial reef systems will remain and continue to bring revenue “for all those children’s swim programmes and allow them to get into the marine industry where they then move into diving programmes, swimming programmes, but those are definitely strong revenue streams,” Juredin explained.

Saving pilot whales

At the dinner, Beyond the Reef was also honoured for its part in helping to guide two shortfin pilot whales safely back into the open sea, following the mass stranding at Anegada recently.

Beyond the Reef also assisted the people of Anegada and the Government of the Virgin Islands in helping to dispose of the carcasses of some fifty shortfin pilot whales that died.