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The Institute of Marine Affairs in collaboration with the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) launched on November 6^th, 2020 an Integrated Environmental Incident Software Platform and mobile application: The Lionfish SeaiTT App.  The App is available for free download via the Apple Store and the Google Play Store for iOS and Android users. The Lionfish SeaiTT mobile App was funded by the Green Fund of Trinidad and Tobago as a major objective of the project ‘Control and Management of the Invasive Lionfish in Trinidad and Tobago’, which commenced in 2014.

This mobile app creates a platform that allows stakeholders and the general public to conveniently report lionfish sightings, oil spills, fish kills, coral bleaching, coastal erosion and all other environmental incidents. The Lionfish SeaiTT App is user friendly as it is easy to manoeuvre with quick access entry tools and GPS location, thus allowing users to effortlessly submit information on environmental incidents. The information provided by stakeholders on environmental incidents such as an oil spill or fish kill is first verified, and then a determination is made as to whether further investigation and monitoring is warranted. The data submitted by stakeholders e.g. lionfish sightings is important for IMA’s research work, and in finding solutions to address environmental problems.

The Lionfish SeaiTT mobile App not only allows the IMA to receive information from the public, but it provides users with information on research conducted at the IMA; newsletters and press articles; notifications of upcoming events; information on the amenities at popular beaches throughout the country and daily tidal information.

We encourage environmental enthusiasts, stakeholders, students and the general public to conveniently report any environmental incidents by downloading The Lionfish SeaiTT mobile App which is now available for free via the Apple Store and the Google Play Store.

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The Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is a partnership and consensus-building exercise that brings together all sectors to co-ordinate and integrate activities on the coast so as to achieve sustainable management of our coastal resources.  It adopts the concept of co-management, where stakeholders share aspects of governance with the state.

In keeping with the participatory nature of ICZM, the ICZM Steering Committee held nineteen (19) pre-policy consultations with stakeholders including government agencies, the media, the energy sector and the business sector and coastal communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago. One goal of these nation-wide consultations was to determine issues stakeholders believed should be addressed by an ICZM policy and the interventions they recommend to address them.

The Steering Committee worked closely with Local Government bodies to organize and conduct the consultations. The Local Government bodies provided support in certain logistical aspects e.g. provision of venues, informing and mobilizing stakeholders to enable their participation in the consultations.

Dialogue emanating out of the consultations was successful in revealing a host of issues that affect coastal areas and interest groups around Trinidad and Tobago.

The issues most frequently voiced during the consultations were:

1. The need to enhance public education and awareness on the importance of the coastal environment and the issues facing it.
2. Inadequate compliance to existing laws and policies. It was felt that this was in part largely facilitated by a lack of enforcement.
3. The perpetuation of unplanned and/or poorly regulated development along the coastline. Concerns were raised regarding a range of development types including squatter settlements, high-end dwellings and development for industrial and business purposes.
4. The need for science to be better used to guide management. This included ensuring the needed scientific data is available as well as, when it does exist, using it more effectively to influence policy.
5. Many laws, regulations, standards and/or policies relating to coastal zone management were deemed ineffective or lacking. Connected to this point, it was largely recognized that ineffectiveness of these instruments could result from inadequate capacity and resources in institutions with roles in aspects of coastal zone management.

“In T&T, 70% of the population and almost 80% of all socio-economic activities are located along the coast.  “ 

Click the link below to view TTT’s NOW morning television programme interview with Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Planning & Development Mr. Sterling Chadee (Chair, ICZM Inter-Ministerial Committee) and Dr Rahanna Juman, Deputy Director, Institute of Marine Affairs (Deputy Chair, ICZM Inter-Ministerial Committee) talk about the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (IZCM) Policy Framework and its importance…