Acid Oceans
“Sometimes our strengths lie beneath the surface … Far beneath, in some cases” (The Ocean, 2016). Well not exactly a quote by the ocean itself. I am intentionally being a bit cryptic, because these words make more sense in the context of the movie they were taken from, Moana. Moana is the Maori word for ocean. The Maori being the native peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand. The belief system of the Maori holds nature in very high regard. The kinship between humans and the environment in Maori culture is expressed through kaitiakitanga, a way in which the environment is respected and managed, something that...
Beyond the Blue – Season 4 Episode 3
In Episode 3 President of the Orange Valley Vendors Association, Winston Sonachan speaks about how trade works within the Orange Valley Market. Tune in to the broadcast. ‘Beyond the Blue’ is a radio broadcast of the Institute of Marine Affairs.Sponsored by the Republic Bank Limited ...
Beyond the Blue – Season 4 Episode 2
In Episode 2 we give voice to our fishermen of Trinidad and Tobago. An interview with Don Miguel Pavy of Cumana, Toco, 34 years in the fishing industry ‘Beyond the Blue’ is a radio broadcast of the Institute of Marine Affairs.Sponsored by the Republic Bank Limited ...
Beyond the Blue – Season 4 Episode 1
This season of Beyond the Blue we explore the Fisheries Sector in Trinidad and Tobago; its contribution and its challenges. ‘Beyond the Blue’ is a radio broadcast of the Institute of Marine Affairs.Sponsored by the Republic Bank Limited ...
The Marine Resilience Initiative, Tobago (Pilot Project)
Tobago waters are rich in marine biodiversity, home to unique and interconnected ecosystems, such as the Buccoo coral reef - Bon Accord Lagoon Complex made up of seagrass and mangroves. Most of Tobago’s Caribbean coast is fringed by coral reefs extending to the northeast Tobago, UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve. For over ten years, the Institute of Marine Affairs has been monitoring the health of coral reefs and seagrasses around Tobago. Unfortunately, we have observed several disturbance events have affected Tobago’s marine ecosystems resulting in significant mortality / dieback of critical coral reefs and seagrass beds. Coral reef monitoring conducted by IMA has...
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...
Caulerpa
The genus Caulerpa belongs to the Chlorophyta (green algae) of which twelve species have been recorded for Trinidad and Tobago. Members of the genus consist of one cell only with many nuclei, making them among the largest single cells in the world. They are characterized by a creeping stolon which is tabular, from the under surface of which downwardly pointing rhizoids grow and serve to attached the organism to some support (pebbles, reefs, or other solid surface.) From the upper surface the photosynthetic portion, called the frond, grows upwards. Different species of the genius are recognized by the shape of the frond. Caulerpa racemosa has...