The Institute of Marine Affairs Celebrates Women and Girls in STEM
By Aleisha Dennie In collaboration with IMA research staff The International Day for Women and Girls in Science, observed annually on February 11, was established by the United Nations General Assembly to recognize the critical role women play in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), while promoting gender equality and inclusive participation. Despite progress, women currently represent only 26–28% of the global STEM workforce and approximately 35% of STEM graduates (UNESCO, n.d.). Every year on February 11, the world observes the International Day for Women and Girls in Science, which serves as a significant reminder of the progress we have achieved, and the long journey still...
Wetlands: A Timeless Legacy We Cannot Afford to Lose
Prepared by Rahanna Juman, Deputy Director / Wetlands Ecologist They feed us, protect us from storms, shape our culture, and quietly support our economy yet they are disappearing faster than almost any other ecosystem on Earth. Wetlands, often overlooked and undervalued, are among the most powerful natural allies humanity has. On 2 February 2026, the world marks World Wetlands Day, reminding us that these landscapes of water and life are not only ecological treasures, but cultural foundations deeply woven into human history. This year’s theme, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” focuses on the enduring relationship between people and wetlands a relationship that has sustained...
Tracking Pollution: Enhancing Laboratory Detection Capabilities
Dr. Yan Aminott of IFREMER (R) guided IMA Researchers and Technicians through key steps in Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) data analysis during the national training course How do we know if the seafood we eat is safe or if our marine environment has been affected by pollution? Behind the scenes, that responsibility often falls to scientists and laboratories equipped to detect contaminants that aren’t visible to the naked eye. In January 2026, the IMA took a significant step in strengthening this capability through specialised training in advanced laboratory techniques used to detect pollutants in marine environments. The training, supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), focused on...
Strengthening National Capability: Boosting IMA’s Capacity to Detect Harmful Algal Blooms
Extraction of biotoxins from fish tissue using chemical solvents—an essential step in analysing toxins associated with Harmful Algal Blooms - Harmful Algal Blooms Workshop, December 2025. In December 2025, the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) strengthened its scientific capacity through specialised training on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), led by two international experts in the field, Dr. Lisbet Diaz and Dr. Christopher Loeffler. Through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), staff from the Environmental Quality Programme and Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme received hands-on training in Fluorescence Receptor Binding Assay (f-RBA) techniques —cutting-edge methods for analysing biotoxins produced by harmful algae. Participants learned precision fish dissection techniques to target...
IMA Takes Coral Restoration to GCFI78
Ms Hannah Lohan, Research Officer of the Institute of Marine Affairs, represented Trinidad and Tobago at the 78th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI78) in Cartagena, Colombia, hosted by The Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI). GCFI is a long-standing regional organisation dedicated to improving the sustainability, management and conservation of marine and coastal resources across the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and adjoining waters. The event brought together scientists, policymakers, NGOs, resource managers, educators and ocean professionals from across the wider Caribbean and Gulf region to exchange knowledge, showcase innovation and strengthen partnerships for sustainable ocean management. This annual gathering provides a critical platform...
IMA Joins SIDS in Portugal – Building Stronger Pathways to Advance the Blue Economy
Dr. Ava Maxam, IMA Director and Dr. Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence at the High-level Dinner in Cidadela de Cascais Palace, on day four of the UN Portugal Ocean Fellowship - Capacity Building Program on Sustainable Ocean Governance and Blue Economy, 20-24 October, 2025. Healthy oceans are fundamental to human well-being, providing essential ecosystem services such as food security, climate regulation, and economic opportunities through tourism and fisheries. This intrinsic link underscores the necessity for capacity building and training leading to effective ocean governance. This was the objective behind the recently concluded United Nations (UN) Portugal Ocean Fellowship – Capacity Building Program on...
IMA Advancing Blue Economy Partnerships and Global Ocean Sustainability at the 15th High-Level Korea-Caribbean Forum, Seoul, Korea
Seoul, Korea 18th November 2025 - The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), an important advocate for the conservation of ocean resources and sustainability, led the Caribbean charge on ocean resilience and sustainable development at the Fifteenth High-Level Forum of the Korea-Caribbean Partnership, under the theme “Korea-Caribbean Cooperation for a Resilient and Sustainable Ocean”. The IMA played a pivotal role in guiding discussions on harnessing renewable ocean resources and protecting marine ecosystems in an attempt to transform the economic growth of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region. In promoting the Caribbean’s emergence as the next economic frontier, Dr. Ava Maxam, Director of the Institute...
Bringing PROMAR to You!
As our oceans are ‘drowning’ in plastic, the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) is diving into solutions – starting with you! This week, the Research team visited several supermarkets to hear shoppers’ views on marine litter and to engage them in filling out and completing an online survey. The online survey is an important activity under the Prevention of Marine Litter in the Caribbean Sea – PROMAR Project, of which the IMA is the lead and executing agency for Trinidad and Tobago. The public’s voice can help shape policies such as sustainable packaging, recycling, leading to a healthier planet! Look out for the IMA Team near the...