International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 (IYAFA2022): SMALL IN SCALE, BUT BIG IN VALUE
“Our small actions can have big impacts, like a ripple effect.” Small-scale fishing and aquaculture can bring food to one family and provides healthy nutrition to millions more. It brings value to all. Small-scale fishers and farmers also know what it means to preserve the balance in our ecosystems. But our livelihoods are at risk, now more than ever, we need to be resilient, include us in decisions that affect us, and we will adapt and innovate with the changing tide. We may be small scale, but our way of life will make a difference, and keep on spreading like ripples in the water”. These...
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...
Future Marine Guardians: IMA Hosts Bring-Your-Child-to-Work Day 2026
On August 7th, 2026, the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) hosted its annual Bring-Your-Child-to-Work Day (BYCWD), welcoming 17 children of staff for a day centred on learning and fun. The event aimed to show the young ones how their parents work together to protect Trinidad and Tobago’s oceans and coasts and to a variety of research careers in the marine and coastal environments that exist at the IMA and beyond. Following a warm welcome and introduction from Dr. Juman, Director (Ag.), the morning focused on educational tours and science career exploration, while the afternoon delivered food and entertainment. Ranging in age from 3 to 15 years,...
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...