United Nations Delegation tours IMA: Exploring Marine Research and Conservation efforts
Chaguaramas – The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) proudly hosted a distinguished delegation from the United Nations on Friday 24 May, 2024. The delegation comprised UN Regional Director for Latin American and the Caribbean – Mr. Roberto Valent; UN Resident Coordinator in Trinidad and Tobago – Ms. Joanna Kazana; Head of Office, UN Resident Coordinator Office – Ms. Tracey Hutchinson; and Partnerships and Development Finance Officer, UN Resident Coordinator Office – Mr. Mark Thomas. Accompanying the UN team was Ms. Jewel Bachansingh, Director of the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean (BCRC). Ms. Bachansingh provided insights into BCRC’s initiatives aimed at training and technology transfer for hazardous waste management in the Caribbean. Her participation underscored the synergies between the IMA and BCRC in fostering environmental sustainability in the region.
Deputy Director of Research, Dr. Rahanna Juman lead the tour, which highlighted the critical work being done by the Institute in various areas of marine science, and environmental conservation. Beginning at the Geomatics Unit, the UN delegation observed innovative techniques for oil spill detection and carbon storage related to mangrove forests. This segment showcased IMA’s Blue Carbon Project, emphasising the role of mangroves in carbon sequestration and their importance in combating climate change. The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools, through mapping and analysing coastal and marine ecosystems are vital for informed decision-making and effective environmental management.
Next, the UN team visited the Environmental Quality Programme (EQP) Laboratory. Here, they were briefed on the comprehensive research being conducted on hydrocarbons and heavy metals which is crucial for monitoring and mitigating marine pollution. Understanding the sources and impacts of these pollutants and developing strategies to protect human health and marine life is essential to this area of research.
Following the Chemistry segment, the team headed across to view work being executed by the Biodiversity and Ecology Programme. Dr. Anjani Ganase and team introduced the visitors to the Marine Resilience Initiative (MARIN) Tobago project, where she outlined the aim of restoring Tobago’s marine biodiversity with a focus on applying a resilience-based management approach and developing a Marine resilience network of stakeholders to support sustainable activities. Coral seeding restoration strategies, set to be implemented in northeast Tobago in July, in partnership with SECORE International were discussed. The importance of seagrasses, their history of disturbance, and MARIN’s goals to restore seagrass habitats around Tobago were also explained to the delegates.
At IMA’s Fisheries Ecology laboratory, a demonstration highlighted the ongoing research on the invasive Lionfish species. This Green Fund Project was of particular interest, as this project includes DNA analysis of Lionfish stomach contents to understand their impact on local marine biodiversity. At the time of visit, the IMA Lionfish TT team, lead by Dr. Farahnaz Solomon, and team, were processing lionfish samples to assess heavy metal and polyaromatic hydrocarbon levels and store gut contents for genetic analysis to identify their diet. The UN visitors observed the processing, including filleting the lionfish for tissue analysis and dissecting stomachs for genetic analysis. The team were particularly intrigued by an intact flounder found in one of the lionfish stomachs, which will be confirmed though further testing.
The tour concluded at the Mariculture facility, where the delegation observed efforts to sustainably cultivate marine species, contributing to food security and the blue economy. The delegates witnessed firsthand the aquaculture techniques being utilised and the team learned about the ongoing research efforts that are aimed at reducing fishing pressure on wild stocks and promoting sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
Mr. Valent commended the IMA’s efforts and applauded the IMA for its innovative and impactful work, and stated that such research aligns with the UN’s goals for sustainable development and environmental protection.
This visit demonstrates the growing importance of international collaboration in addressing marine environmental challenges and spotlights IMA’s key role in advancing marine science and conservation in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean.
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