From Spelling to Marine Trivia: PROMAR Takes the Message to San Fernando
On September 5th, 2026, the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), through the Prevention of Marine Litter in the Caribbean Sea (PROMAR) Project, joined the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development (MPEAD) Hive Five Spellbound Caravan at Gulf City Mall, San Fernando. Hosted by Guardian Media Limited (GML), the event brought together IMA, the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and the Central Statistical Office (CSO) for a day of activities, challenges and community engagement. At the IMA booth, visitors tested their marine knowledge through trivia questions, took on the challenge of completing a 24-piece puzzle in under 2½ minutes, and joined...
240 Volunteers Unite for a Cleaner Coastline
Approximately 240 volunteers removed an estimated 4,000 pounds of waste from the Port of Spain Foreshore during the 2026 International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) on Saturday 12 September. The waste collected included approximately: 1,200 pounds of plastic 130 pounds of glass 2,600 pounds of tyres, metals and other materials. Volunteers also recorded information about the debris, providing valuable data that can help identify pollution trends and support more effective waste-management initiatives. Dr. Ava Maxam, IMA Director (C) with Dr. Joth Singh, Managing Director/CEO of EMA (R) and Mr. Doolar Ramlal, Chairman of EMA (L) at the ICC-2026 cleanup at the Foreshore, Mucurapo on 12 September, 2026.Photo credit: Daniel Suite, IMA (L-R) Dr....
Trinidad and Tobago and Panama Explore Cooperation in Blue Economy, Technology and Research
Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago, September 2026 – The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) welcomed His Excellency Diomedes Heraclio Carles Cleghorn Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Panama to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, on Thursday 10 September 2026. The visit focused on discussions to strengthen bilateral cooperation in marine research, the blue economy, technology and environmental sustainability. Ambassador Cleghorn paid a courtesy call on Dr. Ava Maxam, Director of the Institute of Marine Affairs, and was accompanied by Ms. Indra Peralta, Third Secretary of Diplomatic and Consular Career. The discussions highlighted the longstanding relationship between Panama and Trinidad and Tobago, which spans 32...
Celebrating Service, Dedication and the IMA Family
On August 24, 2026, the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) came together to celebrate four remarkable members of the IMA family as they begin a new chapter in their lives. The Retirement Function honoured Mr. Addison Titus, Mr. Dennis Carter, Ms. Rosemarie Kishore and Ms. Christine Thomas-Dookie, recognising their years of dedicated service and the many contributions they have made to the Institute and to Trinidad and Tobago. Together, the four retirees represent more than 100 years of combined service to the IMA, a remarkable milestone that speaks to their dedication, knowledge, professionalism and commitment over the course of their careers. Each retiree contributed to the Institute...
Spelling, Puzzles and a Push to Reduce Plastic
The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) joined the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development (MPEAD) Hive Five Spellbound Caravan on August 8th at East Gates Mall, Trincity. Hosted by Guardian Media Limited (GML), the event brought together representatives from the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and other stakeholders for a day of activities, challenges and excitement. For IMA, the event provided an opportunity to connect with children, parents and other members of the public while highlighting efforts to reduce single-use plastics and prevent marine litter through the Prevention of Marine Litter in the Caribbean Sea (PROMAR) Project. The IMA team...
Scotland Bay Coastal Cleanup – Turning Marine Litter into Data
In a robust display of environmental stewardship, the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), in partnership with the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD) and the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development (MPEAD), spearheaded a coastal cleanup at Scotland Bay on July 17, 2026. Through this joint effort, seventy bags of garbage weighing 954 pounds (433 kg) of marine and coastal litter were successfully removed from the coastline. The environmental exercise was made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Prevention of Marine Litter in the Caribbean Sea (PROMAR) Project. To execute the operation, the initiative brought together scores of dedicated environmental stewards, including...
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...