Happy Emancipation Day
As we celebrate Emancipation Day, let us reflect and pay tribute to our forebears whose profound resilience and unyielding strength broke physical chains and laid the foundation of freedom upon which we stand today. As we encourage our younger generations to safeguard and protect our legacy, the Institute of Marine Affairs extends best wishes to the national community on the occasion of Emancipation Day – August 1st, 2026. HAPPY EMANCIPATION DAY to ALL ...
Working Together for Cleaner Coasts
Small actions can make a big difference when communities come together. On Saturday, 13 June 2026, PROMAR, in collaboration with the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD), Courtyard by Marriott Trinidad, the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) and the students of St. Augustine Girls' High School, hosted a coastal cleanup at the Foreshore, Port of Spain. Together, volunteers removed an impressive 1,050 pounds of marine debris from the coastline, including 530 pounds of general waste, 350 pounds of plastics, 170 pounds of glass, and 35 discarded bags. Every item collected represents one less threat to our marine life, coastal habitats and communities. Beyond removing litter from...
Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development visits the IMA
The IMA Management Team, led by Dr. Rahanna Juman, Director (Ag.) met with Senator Dr. The Honourable Kennedy Swaratsingh, Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, on Monday 20 July 2026. During the meeting, the Minister informed the team of ongoing discussions and initiatives related to sargassum valorisation and highlighted opportunities to transform the seaweed into value-added products. Discussions focused on the potential economic and environmental benefits of utilising sargassum, which continues to impact coastlines throughout the region. The meeting also provided an opportunity for the IMA to share its perspectives on the issue and explore areas for collaboration. The engagement underscored the importance...
Our Mangrove Forests: Protecting our islands, providing foods and livelihood opportunities
Prepared by Rahanna Juman, Director (Ag) / Wetland Ecologist On July 26, 2026, we will join the rest of the world in observance of International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. This day, declared in 2015 by the General Conference of UNESCO, is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem" and promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses. Do we know how blessed we are to have mangrove forests on our islands? Mangrove forests are one of the world’s most productive ecosystems in the tropic and sub-tropics as they enrich coastal waters and...
Advancing Deep-Sea Discovery & National Stewardship
The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) recently participated in the Pre-Expedition Scientific Seminar at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. Held on 26 June 2026 at the Learning Resource Centre at The University of the West Indies St Augustine, the Seminar was held ahead of the landmark deep-sea research expedition titled, “Deep Wonders of Trinidad and Tobago and Adjacent High Seas.” Led by renowned deep-sea scientist Dr. Diva Amon, the deep-sea expedition aims to unite local and international scientists to explore, study, and document unexplored deep-water ecosystems within Trinidad and Tobago’s national jurisdiction. During the Seminar, Dr. Ava Maxam, Director of the IMA highlighted...