Sustaining Our life
Rahanna Juman, PhD
Deputy Chair,
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Committee
In August 2023, the Cabinet of the Republic Trinidad and Tobago approved the National Integrated Coastal (ICZM) Zone Policy, Strategies and Action Plan, and in January 2024, an Inter-ministerial ICZM Committee was appointed to oversee the implementation of the Policy. This is a pivotal moment in the history of our twin island state as we recognise the significant role our ocean and coasts play in sustaining the economy, providing food security and fostering human well-being, and the imperative to adapt to a changing climate.
Trinidad and Tobago is a BOS – ‘big ocean state’ with fifteen times more sea space than land, and 704 km of coastline. We have always relied on our coastal and ocean resources for economic prosperity primarily from oil and gas exploration, tourism and fisheries. According to an analysis of the contribution of Trinidad and Tobago’s coastal zone to the national economy, the estimate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2015 immediately on the coastline was US$2.14 billion and within our Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nautical miles) was US$22.5 billion; 81% of the country’s total GDP (CH2M Hill Halcrow, 2016).
Our economic policies, aimed at diversifying the economy, have focused on investments in the tourism, agriculture, aquaculture and the maritime sectors, all of which require a well-managed, healthy ocean. Yet we still face many challenges in the governance and sustainable use of our ocean spaces and resources, including pollution, ecosystem degradation and overexploitation of resources. To protect and conserve our ocean and all it sustains, we must create a new balance, rooted in true understanding of the ocean and how humanity relates to it. We must build a connection to the ocean that is inclusive, innovative and informed by lessons from the past.
“We must act now and wake up to our moral obligations. The poor and vulnerable are members of God’s family and are the most severely affected by droughts, high temperatures, the flooding of coastal cities, and more severe and unpredictable weather events resulting from climate change. “
Desmond Tutu
The national ICZM Policy Framework provides a road map for us to achieve this as its goal is to “facilitate an integrated approach to coastal zone management aimed at maintaining and where necessary, enhancing the functional integrity of the coastal resource systems while enabling sustainable economic development through rational, inclusive decision-making and planning”. It is a proactive and adaptive framework within which the coordinated implementation of policies and capital investments can be made. Aligned to the goal are intentions to balance competing coastal natural capital use interests, and address coastal vulnerabilities in consideration of risks, based on the principles of community engagement and co-management.
The ICZM Policy Framework contains 11 objectives with strategies that cover, among other things, coordinated and participative governance, biodiversity conservation, pollution abatement, blue economy development, sustainable livelihood creation, education, capacity development and transnational obligations. A 10-year action plan has been developed to implement the Policy Framework and the recently appointed Inter-ministerial ICZM Committee chaired by the Ministry of Planning and Development is finalising the action plan through a consultative process. In May 2024, the Committee held consultations with government agencies in both Trinidad and Tobago and will be holding consultations with non government bodies and private sector interests in order to gain buy-in, finalise the action plan and allow for implementation.
The ICZM process started about 12 years ago when the Steering Committee appointed to develop the Policy Framework held over 20 consultations with coastal communities, resource users, private sector interests and the media to find out what issues should be addressed by such a Policy. The Policy Framework was finalised in 2020 after extensive post-policy stakeholder consultations. For ICZM to be successful in Trinidad and Tobago, we need meaningful engagement by ‘all of society’. As islanders, let us work together towards a future where our ocean is sustainably managed, we have equitable food security and economic prosperity, and where, at the same time, we protect biodiversity and build resilience against a changing climate.
Our economic policies, aimed at diversifying the economy, have focused on investments in the tourism, agriculture, aquaculture and the maritime sectors, all of which require a well-managed, healthy ocean. Yet we still face many challenges in the governance and sustainable use of our ocean spaces and resources, including pollution, ecosystem degradation and overexploitation of resources. To protect and conserve our ocean and all it sustains, we must create a new balance,
Richard Hinds
Specialist Engineer
Tobago House of Assembly
There is no question that the increase in intensity and regularity of natural disasters have been intrinsically linked to the impacts of climate change. Data supports the claim. The most topical example of this can be described in one name: Beryl.
Hurricane Beryl represented an indicator that there will be a potential increase in the count of major storms this hurricane season. With sustained winds peaking at 165 mph on July 2nd, 2024, it attained the status of a Category 5 hurricane. This, of course, represents a frightening intensity of storm so early in the Atlantic hurricane season. In fact, Beryl became the earliest Category 4 hurricane recorded in the Atlantic and the first Category 5 storm on record in any month of June.
Why is this conversation relevant to us as a nation? Hurricane Beryl ensured that both Trinidad, and Tobago, were under a hurricane watch and
hurricane warning respectively. The geography of the storm was also noteworthy given that storms do not usually linger and develop, as did Beryl, below 10 degrees north latitude. Is this because of warmer waters further south of the Atlantic? Or is it owed to more persistent areas of high pressure north of the Atlantic? Perhaps a combination. In any case, this ought to be a warning to citizens, stakeholders and the political directorate alike.
In the coastal space, several issues arise. Storm surges and coastal erosion are natural impacts of tropical storms. Thankfully, avenues toward solutions can be identified. For one, comprehensive coastal engineering concepts must be developed for, in the first instance, the most vulnerable in society. Naturally, this is a process which must be driven by data – both technical and social. The principles within the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Policy Framework 2023
intends to drive such an approach starting with the implementation of purposeful work plans. Additionally, the Coastal Protection Unit of the Ministry of Works and Transport led the drive to establish the Comprehensive National Coastal Monitoring Program (CNCMP) which is a step in the right direction toward responsible coastal zone management in Trinidad and Tobago.
Among other descriptions, Beryl can certainly be referred to as a sobering, natural phenomenon – especially given its impact on our close island neighbours. Therefore, how timely it is that the ICZM Policy Framework 2023 will add emphasis towards the national push to address enhancing
our building codes and construction practices, with more focus on climate resilience. Successfully meeting this policy’s objectives is not possible without the invaluable contributions of the national community. With the combined buy-in of all the key stakeholders, an exciting journey awaits us all!
Renelle Bernard-Brown
Shoreline management Specialist &
Nakoya Sinanan
Coastal Protection Unit, Ministry of Works and Transport
The coastal zone of Trinidad and Tobago contributes greatly to the economic growth and prosperity of the country with approximately 70% of the population residing within this area and 80% of economic activities being concentrated along the coast. This makes the coastline highly vulnerable to the impacts of coastal hazards and climate change.
Regardless, infrastructural developments continue to grow and expand in coastal regions around the country and the numerous regulatory and administrative shortcomings, such as ambiguous policy guidelines, lengthy decision-making processes, lack of enforcement, and insufficient monitoring capabilities has led to many unplanned developments being erected in Trinidad and Tobago.
In an attempt to regulate the construction of inappropriate development within the area of impact for coastal hazards, coastal setback distances need to be established for the country.
WHAT ARE COASTAL SETBACKS?
A coastal setback is the minimum distance that structures or development activities must be located away from the shoreline. It mitigates the impacts of coastal hazards by creating a zone or buffer which prohibits or limits the development of permanent structures due to its vulnerability to be impacted by coastal erosion, flooding and climate changes.
In the Caribbean, most Small Island Development States (SIDS), including Trinidad and Tobago, have not adapted the use of coastal setbacks, except for Anguilla, Barbados, Belize and St Kitts and Nevis.
For these countries, coastal setbacks were determined based on:
Setback distances were given to cliffs, low rocky shores and mangrove coastlines based on their resistance to erosion, and setback distances for sand or stone beaches, were determined individually due to the dynamic nature of this coastal feature.
WHY ARE COASTAL SETBACKS IMPORTANT TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO?
In Trinidad and Tobago, the need for coastal setbacks have become increasingly important as a measure to adapt to coastal hazards, due to our size, limited economy and devastating effects of climate change on critical infrastructure
To prevent such development, coastal setback distances will be determined by taking into consideration the geomorphology of the coastline, the long-term erosional trends, erosion due to future sea level rise and periodic erosion due to storm surge events.
The implementation of setback distances will offer great potential to implement effective and sustainable planning guidelines in coastal zone for Trinidad and Tobago, which will minimize the loss of infrastructure and human life in the face of coastal hazards.
WAY FORWARD
The creation of coastal setbacks is a part of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Coastal Protection Unit’s (CoPU) mandate to develop long-term policy towards preservation, rehabilitation and management of the coastal zone as a model for sustainable development. Presently, the CoPU is finalizing the methodology to be used as a guide for setback distances.
Development within the zone of impact
Preliminiary assessments have estimated setback distances for a 50-year projection of 100 meters from the vegetation line in areas such as Mayaro, located on the east coast of Trinidad. This distance highlights that presently, hundreds of buildings along a 15 km stretch of shoreline will be impacted. Additionally, some areas of the Mayaro/Guayaguayare Road may experience destruction similar to the Manzanilla/Mayaro Road if adequate measures are not taken.
In the near future, and in collaboration with the Town and Country Planning Division, Ministry of Planning and Development, the CoPU intends to standardize coastal setbacks for national use in building codes and construction development for implementation through the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Inter-Ministerial Committee.
Ruqayyah Thompson
Research Officer,
Institute of Marine Affairs
The ocean is a vast source of resources and services, many of which are of high value such as food (the ocean provides the largest source of protein), energy (including hydrocarbons and marine renewables), transportation (80% of global trade by volume is carried by sea), materials (such as sand, gravel and metal ores), leisure (coastal tourism and nature experiences) as well as carbon sequestration (the ocean is the largest store of carbon). The ocean economy is valued at between US $3 and $6 trillion dollars per year, sustaining 150 million direct jobs and offers enormous opportunities for developing countries to build resilience according to the United Nations Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) latest report on Trade and the Environment Review 2023.
Trinidad and Tobago’s coastal and marine resources are critical to its socio-economic development. Eighty percent (80%) of all socio-economic activities and 70% of the population is located along the coast. Trinidad and Tobago has always relied on its ocean and coastal resources for economic prosperity primarily from oil and gas exploration, tourism and fisheries. In 2015, Trinidad and Tobago’s coastal zone inclusive of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) contributed US$22.5 billion; 81%
of total GDP (CH2M Hill Halcrow, 2016). Furthermore, economic policies aimed at diversifying the economy, has focused on investments in the tourism, aquaculture and maritime sectors, all of which require a healthy ocean.
However, the World Ocean Assessment revealed that many areas of the ocean have been seriously degraded as a result of human activities such as pollution, poorly managed coastal development and resource extraction as well as unsustainable fishing. A reported 90% of big fish populations have been depleted and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, while mangroves and seagrasses continue to decline with 19% and 21% of species found in these ecosystems identified as near-threatened. The degradation of Trinidad and Tobago’s coastal and marine ecosystems have also been recorded by the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) through its State of the Marine Environment Reports.
The degradation of the country’s coral reefs, mangrove swamps, seagrass beds and beaches, mainly from anthropogenic impacts such as pollution, has made them more vulnerable to impacts of climate change, invasive alien species and Sargassum blooms. Reports have also shown
the need to safeguard Trinidad and Tobago’s fisheries resources – a source of livelihood and nutrition for some of the country’s most marginalised groups and communities. Several species of commercially important fish have been found to be fully exploited or overexploited. The fish and shellfish nursery habitats also need to be conserved and/or rehabilitated to ensure food security.
As Trinidad and Tobago continues to rely on its coastal and marine resources, it is critical to transition to a sustainable blue economy, to decouple economic growth with ecosystem degradation. With the support of The Commonwealth Blue Charter and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a ‘Rapid Readiness Assessment for the Transition to a Sustainable Blue Economy’ was conducted in 2023. The study found that a number of emerging sectors as well as opportunities for growth in existing sectors can contribute to the transition to a sustainable blue economy including the following:
The study also reported that while the sustainable blue economy can be a driving force in economic development, there has been slow progress in the implementation of ocean policy and legislation leaving critical gaps in the country’s ocean governance framework. The approval of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Policy Framework in August 2023, was a key step for transitioning to a sustainable blue economy. However, existing sectors such as the fisheries and maritime sectors require new policy and regulatory frameworks to complement the integrated coastal zone management approach.
Readiness for a sustainable blue economy transition was reported as relatively high due to a clear understanding of challenges and opportunities as well as the presence of strong and capable institutions. However, there is a fundamental need to secure increased high-level commitment and develop a unified vision for Trinidad and Tobago’s sustainable blue economy, that extends beyond the market values associated with the ocean’s resources and services, incorporates the country’s culture and way of life, and is socially equitable as well as environmentally sustainable.
National Technical Coordinator – REBYC – III CLME+ and EAF4SG Projects & Senior Fisheries Researcher, Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Trinidad and Tobago
Fisheries Officer and National Focal Point REBYC – III CLME+ and EAF4SG Projects, Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Trinidad and Tobago
In 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) secured financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to implement two regional sister projects, both with a duration of forty-eight (48) months as follows:
The REBYC-III CLME+ is the follow-up project to the REBYC-II LAC “Sustainable Management of Bycatch in Latin America and Caribbean Trawl Fisheries” which ended in August 2021, and its precursor REBYC “Reduction of Environmental Impact from Tropical Shrimp Trawling, through the Introduction of Bycatch Reduction Technologies and Change of Management”, both of which Trinidad and Tobago participated in. The EAF4SG is the follow-up to the “EAF for the Shrimp and Groundfish Fishery” Sub-Project of the CLME+ Project “Catalysing Implementation of the SAP for the Sustainable Management of Shared Living Marine Resources in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems” which ended in 2021, and its precursor Case Study on the Shrimp and Groundfish fisheries of the Guianas-Brazil shelf of the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME) Project, in which Trinidad and Tobago also participated.
The main objective of the REBYC–III CLME+ project is to undertake activities to manage bycatch and reduce discards in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (CLME+) thereby promoting sustainable and responsible fisheries that provide economic opportunities while ensuring the conservation of marine living resources, and in doing so support country implementation of the CLME+ SAP (particularly Strategies 2, 3 and 5). [1]
[1] See the following website for more information on the CLME+ SAP: https://www.clmeproject.org/sap-strat/
The participating countries in the REBYC-III CLME+ are Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, which are all highly dependent on the fisheries resources for their socio-economic development. However, many of the region’s target fish stocks are suffering from over exploitation, and some of these fisheries produce high levels of incidental catch of non-target organisms (bycatch) including Endangered, Threatened and Protected species (ETP) such as marine turtles, marine mammals, sharks and rays and associated high levels of discards. In addition, abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) negatively impacts the environment through ‘ghost fishing’.
The major barriers to addressing bycatch management, reducing discards and addressing ALDFG in these fisheries that the project seeks to address are: (i) limited availability and awareness of selective fishing approaches and technologies to address bycatch and discards and other damage to the marine environment; (ii) insufficient governance and management addressing bycatch with limited control, compliance and enforcement of current rules governing bycatch and discards; (iii) lack of incentives and sufficient opportunities
opportunities to encourage adoption of bycatch and ALDFG management measures; and (iv) lack of knowledge and availability of information on threats posed by bycatch and to promote adoption of effective
effective solutions to manage bycatch, reduce discards and address ALDFG. The project comprises four (4) main components (each addressing a key barrier) and nine outcomes which are captured below.
· Outcome 1.1: Approaches and tools to manage bycatch and reduce discards widely adopted in target trawl and non-trawl CLME+ fisheries
· Outcome 1.2: Effective mitigation measures to reduce adverse fisheries impacts on Endangered, Threatened and Protected (ETP) species implemented in CLME+ target fisheries
· Outcome 1.3: Specific measures and technologies to address ALDFG developed and adopted and other measures to address adverse impacts of fishing gears on marine benthic habitats promoted
The main objective of the EAF4SG project is to advance adoption and implementation of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) [1] in the shrimp and groundfish fisheries in the North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem (NBSLME), supporting implementation of the CLME+ Strategic Action Programme, specifically Strategy 6 [2] on the development and implementation of EAF for the NBSLME shared shrimp and groundfish resources.
[1] EAF refers to the development and management of fisheries in a manner that addresses the multiple needs and desires of societies, without jeopardizing the options for future generations to benefit from the full range of goods and services provided by marine ecosystems. See the following website for more information. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/3efc30bb-2022-42ac-b3b30f64fa47384d/content
[2] See the following website for more information on the CLME+ SAP: https://www.clmeproject.org/sap-strat/
The participating countries in the EAF4SG are Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, which are all highly dependent on the NBSLME shrimp and groundfish resources, some of which are shared, for their socio-economic development. However, many of the shrimp and groundfish stocks have been overfished, some to the point of collapse. These fisheries also threaten marine biodiversity and critical habitats through the incidental catch of non-target organisms and damage to benthic habitats. The major barriers to wider adoption and implementation of EAF management in these fisheries that the project seeks to address are: (i) lack of adequate data and information for EAF at national and sub-regional levels; (ii) weak governance and management nationally and sub-regionally; (iii) weak
EAF refers to the development and management of fisheries in a manner that addresses the multiple needs and desires of societies, without jeopardizing the options for future generations to benefit from the full range of goods and services provided by marine ecosystems. See the following website for more information. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/3efc30bb-2022-42ac-b3b30f64fa47384d/content
[1] See the following website for more information on the CLME+ SAP: https://www.clmeproject.org/sap-strat/
· Outcome 1.1: Approaches and tools to manage bycatch and reduce discards widely adopted in target trawl and non-trawl CLME+ fisheries
· Outcome 1.2: Effective mitigation measures to reduce adverse fisheries impacts on Endangered, Threatened and Protected (ETP) species implemented in CLME+ target fisheries
· Outcome 1.3: Specific measures and technologies to address ALDFG developed and adopted and other measures to address adverse impacts of fishing gears on marine benthic habitats promoted
The sister projects are being executed by the Project Management Unit of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture of The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus (UWI-STA-FFAPMU) with the support of numerous local, regional
and international partners. The project kick-off Inception Workshops and Project Steering Committee (PSC) meetings were held in Trinidad and Tobago on 22-23 January, 2024 and 25-26 January, 2024, respectively, and ensured there was
a common understanding of the project’s objectives, outcomes, outputs, planned activities and budget, as well as the roles and responsibilities of all project partners. The administrative and operational management arrangements established by the FAO and executed by the UWI-STA-FFAPMU, together with the monitoring and evaluation and financial reporting processes, were discussed and agreed upon. The Technical and Project Coordinator presented the Year 1 Annual Work Plans and Budgets for the implementation of field activities which are designed for:
The respective PSCs reviewed and approved the respective project’s first year work plan and budget (approximately US$ 1.59 million for the REBYC-III, and US$ 498,895.20 for the EAF4SG), as well as the Terms of Reference for the respective committees that will provide technical, policy and management direction and oversight for implementation of activities.
The projects are now in the planning phase, and the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, as the Projects’ national focal point, has been engaging with other project partners and stakeholders in an effort to harness potential synergies and ensure streamlining of activities and efficient use of limited resources in order to maximize benefits to all stakeholders from the deliverables and outcomes of the Project.
1. See the following website for more information on the CLME+ SAP: https://www.clmeproject.org/sap-strat/
2. AF refers to the development and management of fisheries in a manner that addresses the multiple needs and desires of societies, without
jeopardizing the options for future generations to benefit from the full range of goods and services provided by marine ecosystems. See the
following website for more information. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/3efc30bb-2022-42ac-b3b30f64fa47384d/
content
3. See the following website for more information on the CLME+ SAP: https://www.clmeproject.org/sap-strat
References
1. FAO. FAO-GEF Project Document. GEF ID: 10857. Strategies, technologies and social solutions to manage bycatch in tropical Large Marine
Ecosystem Fisheries (REBYC-III CLME+). 2023.
2. FAO. FAO-GEF Project Document. GEF ID: 10919. Enhancing capacity for the adoption and implementation of EAF in the shrimp and groundfish
fisheries of the North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem (EAF4SG). 2023.
3. UWI St. Augustine, Faculty of Food and Agriculture, Project Management Unit. Strategies, technologies and social solutions to manage bycatch
in tropical Large Marine Ecosystem Fisheries (REBYC – III CLME+) Project Inception Workshop and First Steering Committee Meeting. REBYC-III
CLME+ Project Inception Report. February 2024.
4. UWI St. Augustine, Faculty of Food and Agriculture, Project Management Unit. Enhancing capacity for the adoption and implementation of EAF
in the shrimp and groundfish fisheries of the North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem (EAF4SG) Project Inception Workshop and First Steering
Committee Meeting. EAF4SG Project Inception Report. February 2024
Ms. Nadia Gour
Member Mrs. Nadia Gour is a senior technical officer at the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), where she holds the position of Environmental Programme Officer II in the Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) Unit. She has functioned for over 10 years in this capacity, where she is charged with the responsibility of reviewing applications for CECs, inclusive of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) across multiple sectors. She also sits on various Inter-agency Committees and Working Groups. In addition to her many years of experience in the field of environmental management, Mrs. Gour is a trained coastal management professional. As such, she is regarded as one of the EMA’s primary in-house resources as it pertains to coastal matters. She holds a Masters in Science degree in Natural Resource and Environmental Management, specializing in Coastal and Marine Resources Management, from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus. She is also currently enrolled at the UWI, St. Augustine Campus, Faculty of Engineering, where she pursuing a second MSc. in Coastal Engineering and Management.
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Ms. Elizabeth MohammedMember Ms Elizabeth Mohammed was appointed Senior Fisheries Officer (SFO) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Trinidad and Tobago in February 2010. She has over 20 years of experience in national and regional fisheries research, policy development and implementation. She currently represents the Fisheries Division on national Committees related to fisheries, biodiversity, the environment and maritime policy and leads the Divisions initiatives towards addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and updating the national fisheries management legislation. Ms Mohammed holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with First Class Honours and a Master of Philosophy Degree in Zoology from the University of the West Indies. She also completed graduate courses in fisheries and marine ecosystem modelling between 1998 and 2003 at the Fisheries Centre (now Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries – IOF) at the University of British Colombia, Vancouver, Canada. Her scientific contributions are published in compilations of the Sea Around Us Project of the IOF; reports of the Lesser Antilles Pelagic Ecosystem Project of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations; technical reports of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism; FAO publication on Coastal Fisheries of Latin America and the Caribbean; and the 2007 Caribbean Sea Ecosystem Assessment.
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Mr. Kerry Sheppard
Member
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Mrs. Lavaughn Jack-OvidMember Mrs. Lavaughn Jack-Ovid is a Senior Petroleum Inspector at the Petroleum Operations Management Division of the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries. She holds a BSc in Occupational Safety, Health and Environment from the University of Greenwich. Mrs. Jack-Ovid supervises the regulatory inspections of oil and gas facilities and also serves as a member of the Incident Command Team under the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan. For the past fifteen years she has work to ensure that oil and gas companies implement measures to prevent oil spills and restore affected areas. |
Mr. Deon BrebnorMember |
Mr. Ric Javed AliChairman |
