IMA first in region to earn Nitrate/Nitrite Testing laboratory accreditation
The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) has been successful in attaining ISO/IEC 17025:2017, which is an international accreditation and standard for the ‘General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories’ specific to the nitrate/ nitrite test. Notice of accreditation was issued by letter in December 2022 by the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards. The Trinidad and Tobago Laboratory Accreditation Service (TTLABS) conducted the accreditation exercise. This certification serves as the international reference for the testing and calibration laboratories, that demonstrate their capacity to deliver reliable results and is a reliable indicator of laboratory’s technical competence. Accreditation therefore enhances the public confidence in...
What are Rip Currents?
By Christopher Alexis, Researcher, Oceanography & Coastal Processes Department Rip currents usually occur in close proximity to breaking waves and are common within pocket beaches with moderate to high wave energy. In Trinidad, these beaches may be found on the north coast (e.g. Maracas and Las Cuevas) and along the unsheltered east coast (e.g. Mayaro). In Tobago, rip currents may occur on most beaches that are not protected by coral reefs. These currents are dangerous and contribute to drowning occurrences annually particularly during celebratory times of the year. Rip currentsRip currents are powerful flows of water moving seaward that can effortlessly drag unsuspecting bathers quickly out to sea....
Supporting Trinidad and Tobago’s
Transition to a Sustainable Blue Economy
The Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework Rapid Readiness Assessment Workshop was hostedat the Institute of Marine Affairs on October 18-19, The workshop, which was opened by the Honourable Pennelope Beckles, Minister of Planning and Development, was attended by stakeholders from across government, academia, non-governmental organisations and private sector with interest in fostering a sustainable blue economy for Trinidad and Tobago. Across the world, there is growing awareness about the blue economy as a potential source of economicdiversification and growth. The blue economy construct centres on developing ocean-based activity while emphasising improved human well-being, social justice and equity, ensuring conservation of natural resources and ecological sustainability....
It’s time to restore degraded wetlands!
As we join the rest of the world to commemorate World Wetlands Day on February 2nd we are reminded that it is time to restore our degraded wetlands. But why should we? According to the Global Wetland Outlook, 2021, wetlands have always provided services to humanity, yet recognition of the scale of these benefits and the consequences of their loss is quite recent. Critical wetland ecosystem services include: carbon sequestration and storage, particularly in peatlands and marine ecosystems; ensuring safe and reliable supplies of drinking and irrigation water; the provision of goods and services connected with food security; and management against water-related disasters such...