Our Mangrove Forests: Protecting our islands, providing foods and livelihood opportunities
Prepared by Rahanna Juman, Director (Ag) / Wetland Ecologist On July 26, 2026, we will join the rest of the world in observance of International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. This day, declared in 2015 by the General Conference of UNESCO, is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem" and promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses. Do we know how blessed we are to have mangrove forests on our islands? Mangrove forests are one of the world’s most productive ecosystems in the tropic and sub-tropics as they enrich coastal waters and...
The IMA Supports MPEAD’s Blue Carbon Initiatives to Improve Systems for Carbon Dioxide Capture, Storage and Emission Tracking
The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) proudly joined the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development (MPEAD) of Trinidad and Tobago on a regional initiative entitled ‘Strengthening Carbon Capture Storage and Reporting Frameworks and Mechanisms’ Project. Launched on June 30, 2025 at the Hyatt Hotel, Port of Spain, the project is funded by a Readiness Grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and is being executed by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs) in conjunction with MPEAD. The IMA will be executing a component entitled ‘Assessing Mangrove Blue Carbon Storage and Sequestration in Trinidad and Tobago for Participation in Carbon Markets’. Dr Rahanna...