2023 Caribbean Marine Heat Wave-Impact on Tobago’s coral reefs
In May 2023, rising sea temperatures in the Caribbean posed a severe threat to coral reef health and survival. Many Caribbean islands grappling with this, monitored the effects of the coral bleaching in their areas. On August 5th, Trinidad and Tobago was placed under a coral reef Bleaching Alert Level 1 by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association, Coral Reef Watch (NOAA, CRW). A subsequent Bleaching Alert Level 2 was issued on August 25th indicating that severe coral bleaching and mortality was expected. This Bleaching Alert Level 2 lasted until November 20th 2023. What is coral bleaching? Corals have a symbiotic relationship with tiny algae called...
Exploring IMA’s Research Initiatives: Visit by Japanese Professor and Technical Team
IMA welcomed a Japanese Technical team as well as a representative of the University of Tokyo, Japan, Professor Hiroe Ishihara and UTT’s Reia Guppy, Associate Professor (Marine Sciences) on March 13th. 2024, in a vibrant exchange of expertise and collaboration. The day’s agenda unfolded with a reception of both Professor Ishihara and the technical team comprising First Secretary Saga Atushi, Dr Sano Kosuke, Ms Zenigame Maria, Mr Toda Akira and Ms Danielle Mangray. Dr Ava Maxam, Director, extended welcome remarks and Deputy Director, Dr Rahanna Juman provided a comprehensive overview of the IMA’s research endeavours. Her insights shed light on various research projects, including...
Unlocking Solutions: GC-MS Technology and Ecological Assessment in Response to Tobago’s Oil Spill Crisis
After the mysterious oil spill off Tobago’s Cove Eco-Industrial and Business Park coast in early February, state agencies, including the IMA, began the arduous task of assessing the environmental and economic impact and determining responsibility. The spill, discovered on February 7th, 2024, involves an overturned boat leaking oil approximately 200 meters offshore. The response efforts were swift and comprehensive. The IMA deployed a specialised team to retrieve oil samples directly from the spill site. These samples are crucial components in the puzzle to link the oil-like substance found in the marine and coastal areas to the hydrocarbons leaking from the vessel. A newly acquired...
Joint Efforts Propel Successful Oil Spill Cleanup in Tobago
In a significant achievement, over 51,000 barrels of oil and more than 16,056 cubic meters of waste have been cleared from Tobago’s coastal areas following the vessel grounding near Cove Reef on February 7th. As part of the recovery efforts, 480 freshwater and coastal wildlife species have been cleaned and released back into their natural habitats. These updates were shared during a recent Ministerial tour organised by the IMA in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI), the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), and the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA). The tour, held 56 days post-incident, featured...
Services for the Replacement of Shade House Plastic at the Aquaculture Facility
The Institute of Marine Affairs was established by Act of Parliament (Chap. 37:01 of the Revised Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, as amended by Act No. 13 of 1990) and is responsible for collection, analysis and dissemination of information relating to the economic, technological, environmental, social and legal developments in marine affairs and to formulate and implement specific programmes/projects. The Institute of Marine Affairs hereby invites suitably qualified firms to submit tenders for the replacement of Shade House Plastic at the Aquaculture Facility, of the Institute of Marine Affairs. The project seeks to lay the groundwork for a Mariculture Industry in T&T...
Services for the Upgrade of the Chill Water System
The Institute of Marine Affairs was established by Act of Parliament (Chap. 37:01 of the Revised Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, as amended by Act No. 13 of 1990) and is responsible for collection, analysis and dissemination of information relating to the economic, technological, environmental, social and legal developments in marine affairs and to formulate and implement specific programmes/projects. The Institute of Marine Affairs hereby invites suitably qualified firms to submit tenders for the upgrade of the Chill Water System at the Institute of Marine Affairs. The Chill Water System in the Research Building, at the Institute of Marine Affairs has not...
Services for Electrical Upgrade
The Institute of Marine Affairs was established by Act of Parliament (Chap. 37:01 of the Revised Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, as amended by Act No. 13 of 1990) and is responsible for collection, analysis and dissemination of information relating to the economic, technological, environmental, social and legal developments in marine affairs and to formulate and implement specific programmes/projects. The Institute of Marine Affairs hereby invites suitably qualified firms to submit tenders for the Electrical Upgrade of the Institute of Marine Affairs. The IMA’s operation at the Head Office has been experience disruption with several of the older buildings of the IMA’s...
Pick-Up Truck for the execution of the Marine Space Remote Sensing and Trajectory Modelling
The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) was established by Act of Parliament (Chap. 37:01 of the Revised Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, as amended by Act No. 13 of 1990) and is responsible for collection, analysis and dissemination of information relating to the economic, technological, environmental, social and legal developments in marine affairs and to formulate and implement specific programmes/projects. The Institute of Marine Affairs hereby invites suitably qualified firms to submit Request for Quotations for the supply of a Pick-Up Truck. The Institute of Marine Affairs wishes to enter into a contract with a suitably qualified and resourced supplier capable of...