
7th Community Symposium
IMA hosted its 7th Community Symposium on Tuesday 20th September 2022 at the Warrenville Regional Complex. Themed ‘Community and Ecosystem Connections – Improving Human Wellbeing, Sustaining Livelihood’, this symposium provided the results of the studies conducted under IMA’s CLME+ EBM Project, to its stakeholders.
*The CLME+ EBM Project examined approaches aimed at reducing pollution from agriculture which impacts the mangrove forest and the harvested resources (oyster, crab and fish), toward improving human well-being and supporting livelihoods.
IMA/UWI Scientists call for 50-70% Reduction in Chemical Use in Agriculture As Part of Strategy To Promote a Healthier Marine and Aquatic Ecosystem in and around the Caroni Swamp
This study was part of a Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME+) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Cut chemical use in agriculture by 50 to 70 percent, as part of the strategy to improve the impact of agricultural practices on the health of the aquatic and marine environment in and around the Caroni Swamp. This from Professor Jayaraj Jayaraman of The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus. The Institute of Marine Affairs and The University of the West Indies collaborated on a project to ascertain the impacts of chemical based pesticides, fertilisers and fungicides on the aquatic and marine environment from farms located near and around the Caroni Swamp, which is an internationally protected site, under the Ramsar Convention. The results of the joint study were delivered to the community on Tuesday 20th September 2022, at the 7th Community Research Symposium of the Institute at the Warrenville Regional Complex, Cunupia. Themed “Community and Ecosystem Connections – Improving Human Wellbeing, Sustaining Livelihood” the symposium attracted the attendance of the Minister of Planning and Development, the Honourable Pennelope Beckles, His Worship the Mayor of Chaguanas, representatives of the area’s local government bodies and a number of the catchment area farmers and fishers.
The study was part of a Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME+) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The CLME + initiative is aimed at helping participating territories improve the management of their shared living marine resources using an Ecosystem-Based Management approach.
The study unearthed:
- poor water quality arising from the presence of nutrients such as ammonia and phosphates in the watercourses;
- concerning bacteriological pollutants impacting water and oyster quality; and
- heavy metal contamination of blue crabs and other fisheries above recommended levels in the seventeen (17) test stations located near and in the Caroni Swamp. It was however noted that the heavy metal contaminants posed no major health risk.
Among the recommendations promoted was the use of more biologically based extracts such as an organic Seaweed Extract (formulated by the University of the West Indies) made from sargassum seaweed, for application on vegetable crops, roots, tubers and ornamental plants as a replacement for chemically based pesticides, fungicides and fertilisers which have been found to have a deleterious impact on the natural environment. The scientists observed that the seaweed extract, which is environmentally friendly, promoted better plant growth and yield and enhanced the plants resistance to pest and disease when compared to the chemically based compounds. Professor Jayaraman also noted that there is room for local entrepreneurs to commercialise some of these biological inputs being developed by the university, bringing them to market; so that what is done in the lab can benefit the farmers.

Handling oysters. Photo by formerchef.com
Regarding the contamination of food sources, the scientists recommended that fishers harvest the molluscs in areas where there is a reduced risk of contamination. Oysters can also be boiled or flushed with clean water before ingesting to remove bacterial contaminants and should be kept on ice before ingestion, to reduce bacterial load.
The study is significant because diverse and productive ecosystems such mangrove forests play a significant role in providing food such as fish, shellfish crabs and oysters. The Caroni Swamp supports livelihood opportunities such as ecotourism and fisheries, (harvesting of fish, crabs, oysters) however marine resources have become increasingly impacted by habitat degradation, unsustainable fisheries practices and pollution. The Caroni River Basin, the largest river basin in Trinidad and Tobago, receives land based discharges from agricultural, industrial and domestic sources from the most densely populated area within Trinidad. Pollutants within the basin are from sources such as agricultural and industrial activities, sewage and domestic waste from planned and unplanned housing settlements and runoff.
Addressing attendees, the Mayor of the Chaguanas Borough Corporation His Worship, Faaiq Mohammed, Mayor indicated its “our obligation to pursue synergy between growth and development with the health of the natural environment [in order] to propel food security and to preserve the natural infrastructure of our tourism sector.” The Honourable Minister in giving her closing remarks said that the session was an indication of the government’s continued commitment to evidence-based decision and policy making and stakeholder consultation.

A farmer works in his field of dasheen bush. Photo by: Cari-Bois
It is expected that discussions generated from the presentations at the symposium will contribute to good agricultural practices in the future as the Ministry of Agriculture Land and Fisheries and the Health were among the stakeholders receiving the report.
A recording of the event may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/IMAgovTT
The Presentations
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