World Tsunami Awareness Day 2023: Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future
By Christopher Alexis, Oceanography & Coastal Processes Department Annually, the 5th November is celebrated as World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD). Events, activities and drills are organised globally, as a reminder of the ever-present threat of tsunamis. This is especially important where the frequency and intensity of natural disasters are increasing and impacting coastal communities. The theme of WTAD 2023 is “Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future”. A Global Call to Action The United Nations highlights the global need for preparedness, such as early warning systems and disaster risk reduction strategies. Tsunamis may be caused by an underwater earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption and on rare occasions, by...
Store Bay
Store Bay in Tobago is a very busy and popular beach. It's not far from the airport and many hotels, just a short walk away. There are two hotels on the cliffs nearby. The beach is 210 meters long and gently slopes into the sea. The sand is light-colored, and the water is blue-green and inviting. Waves come in from the northwest, and they're not too big. The water currents flow to the southwest. One special thing about this beach is that the sea floor suddenly drops down about 65 cm in one spot. You can park your car for free near the beach, and there...
Tides Are Changing
By Ruqayyah Thompson, Research Officer. International days are a powerful advocacy tool used to raise awareness on matters of public concern, garner political support and resources to address global problems as well as to celebrate humanity’s achievements. This month, we join with the global community to recognise World Oceans Day on June 8th under the theme, “Planet Ocean: Tides Are Changing”. The ocean covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface and forms 95% of the biosphere, the part of the Earth where life exists. It produces at least 50% of the world’s oxygen and is a main source of protein for over a billion people. The...
Danger at the Beach: Five Facts to Know about Rip Currents!
The Institute of Marine Affairs is urging the public to exercise caution at the beach, especially over the long Easter weekend. During the month of April, beaches in Trinidad and Tobago experience heightened wave energy associated with the Northern Hemisphere winter, which increases the likelihood of strong nearshore currents that pose a threat to beachgoers. The month of April is also a preferred time for families with children and friends to visit the beach as children get a vacation break from school. Rip currents are powerful flows of water moving seawards that can easily drag unsuspecting bathers out to sea, these dangerous currents are often...
Coral Reefs, X-MEN of the SEA
The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) recently partnered with bp Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT) and other government, private sector and community-based organizations to build its capacity in marine ecosystem rehabilitation, particularly coral reefs and seagrass beds, in a rapidly changing climate. This partnership is a significant step towards promoting wildlife conservation, especially in the Caribbean region, which has suffered greatly from the impacts of climate change and human activities. With coral reefs facing unprecedented levels of degradation, the partnership intends to deliver long-term biodiversity conservation and restoration of these ecosystems including avoided loss using a multi-pronged approach: (1) Ocean stewardship; (2) Restoration of Tobago’s...
Salybia Bay
Salybia Bay is on the extreme northeastern tip of Trinidad. To reach this bay, turn right (east) on to the Galera Road at the Toco junction where the Toco Main Road turns into the Paria Main Road. The beach is approximately 2 km east of the secondary school. This bay is not to be confused with Saline bay, on the east coast, which is close to the fishing village of Salibea. This beach is approximately 700 m long with coarse-grained, whitish-grey sand composed primarily of quartz and carbonate particles and slopes moderately to the sea. Waves approach from the northwest as plunging breakers with an...
Grande Riviere Bay
Grande Riviere Bay is off the Paria Main Road. Approximately 1 km west of the bridge over the Grande Riviere River, turn right onto Hosang Street which leads directly to the beach. The beach, composed of coarse-grained, quartzrich sand, is approximately 1.2 km long and has a moderate to steep slope. Shrubs, vines, almond trees and coconut palms grow on the flat upper beach. The Grande Riviere River enters the sea at the eastern end of the bay. High energy waves averaging 82 cm in height in the dry season and 60 cm in the wet season, approach from the north as plunging breakers. Strong longshore...
Matelot Bay
The fishing village of Matelot is where the Paria Main Road ends. To reach Matelot from the east, turn left at the Valencia Police Post junction and follow the Valencia Road onto the Toco Main Road. Turn left and continue along the Toco Main Road for approximately 32 km to the Toco junction. Here, the road becomes the Paria Main Road. Turn left again at this junction and follow the winding road in a westerly direction along the scenic north coast to Matelot. Matelot Bay Matelot Bay, with its fishing depot, is located at the end of the Paria Main Road. The beach is small and...
Paria, Grand Tacarib and Madamas Beaches
The secluded beaches of Paria, Grand Tacarib and Madamas can be reached by hiking trail from Blanchisseuse or Matelot, or by boat. The boat trip from Blanchisseuse takes about half an hour to Paria and forty-five minutes to Madamas. The journey provides breath-taking views of arches, stacks, caves and other rock formations along this coastline. Besides this scenery and the picture-perfect beaches, there are additional places of natural beauty. A stack formation is located within an arch on the western end of Paria and the refreshing Paria waterfall is just a fifteen minute walk inland from the beach. Paria Beach Massive sandstone outcrops are exposed in layers...
Blanchisseuse Bay
Blanchisseuse Bay is off the North Coast Road approximately 11 km east of Las Cuevas Bay. It is located on the eastern side of Blanchisseuse upper village. The beach is not easily visible from the road. To get to it look for the sign ‘Wilson’s Trace’ just east of the recreation ground. A footpath to the west of the houses opposite Wilson’s Trace leads down to the beach. Blanchisseuse Beach is approximately 1.4 km long and is bounded on its eastern and western ends by steep-cliffed headlands. It is composed of light brown, medium-grained, quartz-rich sand and has a moderate to steep slope. Almost the entire...
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