Diversity: A Key to Reducing Vulnerability in the Fishing Industry
We are all familiar with the fisherman bringing in the day’s catch, selling his fish at the market or perhaps along the roadside. However, do you know there are many more roles performed in the fishing industry? The industry includes all the processes involved in getting the fish out of the water and on to our plates; the different types of boats, fishing gear and fishing methods, the various post harvesting processing methods and facilities, and the distribution and marketing channels of the fish and fishery products. The available roles identified along fisheries value chains can therefore be quite diverse. Disruptions along the various...
IMA INVESTIGATES GULF OF PARIA OIL SPILL-August 10th 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 10th 2021IMA INVESTIGATES GULF OF PARIA OIL SPILLThe Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) on Monday 9th August 2021 responded to reports of an oil spill in the Gulf of Paria (GOP). IMA is conducting investigations as part of a multi-agency team comprising technocrats from the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA). On Monday, the multi-agency team began its investigations with a marine survey to determine the extent of the oil spill. Preliminary information reaching the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries indicates, a leaking oil pipeline which had been earlier contained to prevent oil entering...
A Safe Ocean
Coastal communities and ocean users operate within a dynamic environment, faced with a range of ocean hazards that are both natural and human-induced. These can have a significant impact on marine environments and can result in loss of life and livelihoods. Risks of exposure to ocean hazards therefore require assessment, forecasting, mitigating, adaptive responses and policies to mainstream resilience towards ‘A safe ocean where life and livelihoods are protected from ocean-related hazards’ - Outcome 5 of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021 - 2030....
Why International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Forests?
Why dedicate an entire day every year to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem" and promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses? ...
There is no place like a Mangrove Forest
Located in Gazi Bay of southern Kenya, Mikoko Pamoja is the first community-based project in the world to successfully sell carbon credits from mangrove conservation and restoration. Uniting the villages of Gazi and Makongeni, the initiative began in 2013, marketing carbon credits for the period 2013-2033. In the not too distant past, like most places, the effects of poverty-stricken community were threatening their way of life. In Kenya, the consequences of illegal mangrove logging filtered into the livelihoods of the Gazi and Makongeni resulting in a reduction in their fish catches. With the mangrove forests serving as nurseries for many fish species,...
A Predicted Ocean
Why do we need to predict the Ocean? Does it seem like reports of storm surges; rough and rising seas, coastal flooding and erosion are more pervasive today than ever before? These climatic conditions and phenomenon have always existed and have been understood for a long time, so why is it so topical now? This could be due to a number of factors, but high on the list would be the fact that the world is now more dependent on the ocean than ever before. Globally, the oceans serve as the world’s largest source of protein, with more than 3 billion people depending...
BUILDING OCEAN RESILIENCE
A healthy and resilient ocean is one that is readily able to return to a healthy state following disturbance events or even resist the impacts of the disturbance depending on its severity. For example, healthy mangrove forests can effectively reduce the damages of severe storm surge because the thick interconnected root systems stabilise the shore and reduce wave and wind forces. The same root systems create a well-protected refuge for nurseries. Real estate, homes and properties inland are protected by mangrove forests. When healthy forests are damaged, their density might still sustain the habitat and its hydrodynamics as well as provide for regrowth. Similarly,...
Welcoming the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration 2021 – 2030 – #GenerationRestoration
Celebrated annually on June 5th, WED is the United Nations’ flagship day for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of the environment. In keeping with this year’s theme of Ecosystem Restoration, today is also the official launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030, which aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. Yes, you read correctly, a whole decade focusing on ecosystem restoration. Why, what does this mean, especially for the oceans, and how can we get involved?...
Below the Blue; Exploring the Caribbean Deep and Harnessing its Benefits
Virtual Distinguished Lecture and Panel Discussion - 8th June 2021 ...
The Door to Happiness opens into Nature!
Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard once commented, “The door to happiness opens outward.” Given Kirkegaard’s reputation for being somewhat broody, it is doubtful whether he was talking about the literal outdoors. He did not seem like the outdoorsy type. However, to grossly miscontextualise Kirkegaard and to take this quote literally, I agree. The door to happiness does indeed open outward because outward is where we find nature, outward is where we find biodiversity....