Twenty Thousand Microplastics in the Sea
Prepared by Attish Kanhai, Research Officer Institute of Marine Affairs First published in 1870, Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea tells the story of something strange happening in the ocean. A sea beast that no one had ever seen before was attacking ships in the ocean. None of the sea folk at the time had any idea what this strange beast might be. An expedition ship, the Abraham Lincoln, sets sail in search of this unknown creature. After some time the Lincoln is attacked by the fearsome sea beast only for the crew to discover that this is no sea beast at all but something manmade yet equally fearsome, a submarine....
The Untold Story of Saharan Dust
by Attish Kanhai, Research OfficerInstitute of Marine Affairs As the tiny boat streaked across the Gulf of Paria during the early hours of a Monday morning, the sky seemed to melt into the ocean. The horizon disappeared as sea and sky faded into one never-ending blue curtain. Not surprising I thought, as I dreaded the day ahead. The weather forecast had predicted extreme plumes of Saharan dust over the next few days and warned allergy sufferers to take the appropriate measures. As I entered into the mangrove forest the waterworks started, runny nose, itchy eyes and sore throat. With a sigh I accepted my...
Save our wetlands today!
Save our wetlands today!They help us combat the negative impacts of climate change.Our Wetlands: Our Defence#KeepWetlands #WorldWetlandsDay #ClimateChangeMitigation #CaribbeanSea #Research #Community #Survival #TrinidadAndTobago ...
Beyond the Blue – Ep1
Wetlands Conservation 'Beyond the Blue' speaks to Wetlands Ecologist, Dr. Rahanna Juman, on the state of wetlands in Trinidad & Tobago.Wetlands protect the islands from the negative effects of Climate Change.'Beyond the Blue' is a radio broadcast of the Institute of Marine Affairs. ...
World Wetlands and Climate Change
Once considered spaces and areas where refuse should be dumped, wetlands are now recognised integral components of marine and terrestrial environments and are also valued as sources of economic contribution to the sustainable development of many economies. The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) joins the Government of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Global Community in observing World Wetlands Day 2019. The theme this year, World Wetlands and Climate Change, makes a ‘clarion’ call for all of us to recognise and act on carrying out activities that would conserve our wetlands. The Library is pleased to share the following link, which provides access to download/view/read a power-point presentation on World Wetlands Day...
Our Wetlands: Our Defence
by Dr. Rahanna Juman Deputy Director or Research The frequency of disasters worldwide has more than doubled in just 35 years; and 90% of these disasters are water related. More and more, climate change is driving weather-related hazards such as flooding and hurricanes. This pattern is already having a significant impact on Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean; and it’s unlikely to get any better. The most we can do is to develop strategies to manage the impacts of climate change and reduce carbon emissions and this is where wetlands come into their own importance. In the Caribbean Region, it is estimated that changes in...
IMA presents Marine Biology Award to UWI Graduate
On Thursday 3rd January 2019, the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) presented University of the West Indies (St. Augustine Campus) Graduate, Ms. Hannah Lochan, with the IMA – Richard Laydoo Memorial Prize for 2017 – 2018. IMA’s Director, Dr. Ahmad Khan delivered remarks during the short award presentation at the IMA’s head office on Hilltop Lane Chagaramas saying “We acknowledge and reward the outstanding academic performance, which would have been rooted in dedication, hard work and a desire to excel. Ms. Lochan exemplified those ideals by attaining the best academic performance in Marine Biology.” He added “This donation of the awards reflect our core values of excellence, collaboration and innovation and the Institute’s unwavering support...
Community Research Symposium “Transforming Tobago: Understanding and Conserving our Natural Ecosystems.”
The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) hosted its 5th Community Research Symposium, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th October 2018. Addressing the communities of Betsy’s Hope, and Scarborough and environs over the 2 two-day period, the IMA, the Improving Forest and Protected Area Management in Trinidad and Tobago Project (IFPAMTT), and other stakeholders shared details about research conducted by the respective organizations on coastal and marine related issues such as beach/coastal erosion, The invasive Lionfish, Sargassum, and the status of coral reefs and the importance of other protected areas. In addition to...