[UPDATED] Beckles: Saving Tobago reefs will preserve livelihoods

The Marine Resilience Initiative (MARIN) – an 18-month pilot project – has been launched to help devise a strategy to protect Tobago’s world-renowned coral reefs. The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) is spearheading the initiative to determine the most effective strategies to rehabilitate and strengthen the endangered ecological wonder.

The project, which was launched at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park on Tuesday by the IMA in partnership with bpTT, seeks to determine the appropriate and feasible rehabilitation strategies for both the coral reef as well as the seagrass beds that surround Tobago.

At the launch, Minister of Planning and Development Pennelope Beckles said the pilot study will evaluate the effectiveness of certain restoration methodologies for coral reef and seagrass beds on the island.

Beckles said, “Indeed, so much more is happening beyond the aesthetics of the sand upon which we stand, the surrounding lush foliage and swaying coconut trees, and the picturesque shores of the Pigeon Point Beach with its backdrop of aquamarine waters. Underneath that cover of beauty, nature is giving its all to maintain and preserve both the quality of life we live and our livelihoods.”

She said the ecosystems provide too many services to allow the degradation to go unaddressed.

“Our fisherfolk, tour operators, small traders depend on these marine ecosystems to remain at its optimum in order for their ocean-based business to grow and prosper. The importance of this assessment, therefore, cannot be over emphasised.”

This study, she said, is a noteworthy milestone in the nation’s quest to place the environment and its welfare at the centre of the sustainable development goals. She said that a 2008 study by the World Resource Institute Coastal Capital – Economic Valuation of Coral Reefs in Tobago and St Lucia – estimated that in 2006 at least 40 per cent of visitors to Tobago visited the island because of the reefs. She said the study estimated that back then Tobago would have earned as much as US $43.5 million from direct visitor spending related to accommodation, reef recreation and other miscellaneous expenses.

“While these figures are dated, it paints a picture of value, both potential and realised. Globally, studies show that these marine ecosystems are stressed and that they have been and are being degraded. Tobago is by no means, exempt.”

She said a combination of climate change and human impacts, more so human, have had a debilitating impact of the marine and coastal ecosystems – most notably the loss of up to 50 per cent hard coral cover as a result of a global bleaching event in 2010.

She affirmed the ministry’s commitment to actively support, foster and advance dialogue and action that will enable the delivery of the development goals within the shortest time frame.

THA Secretary of Tourism Tashia Burris commended the entities for strategically partnering on what she described as a worthy cause, which she said would assist in the transformation of the island and the nation.

“For those of us entrusted with the responsibility of governance, this study by the IMA and bpTT is paramount. As policy makers and decision makers, it is imperative that we are able to utilise reliable research in order to make wise development choices on behalf of the people that we serve. Research and governance must go hand in hand to bring about informed policy.

“In fact, research can be easily dubbed as one of the most important steps in the policy-making process. It is for this reason that our administration took the decision very early on to place greater emphasis on the research component of our governance. We know that research is a trusted ally which we intend to leverage to build a stronger Tobago House of Assembly and by extension a more competitive little island.”

President of bpTT Claire Fitzpatrick, in her address, described the project as timely and crucial as she noted that Tobago’s natural resources play a crucial role, not only for leisure but also as a source of income and development.

“Like other small island developing nations, TT’s future depends on the ability to harness and preserve its natural resources for economic growth. It is essential that we protect our natural resources, even as we note that the environment is coming under increasing threat. Small island developing states like TT feel the effect of climate change first-hand and those effects have a direct impact on development and livelihoods.”

As a result, she said bpTT’s purpose is reimagining energy for people and the planet, as the strategy is to move from being an international oil company to an integrated energy company.

“We recognise that sustainability is far wider than the climate crisis, and while tackling climate change is of paramount importance there are other broader issues that impact society and as a global citizen, we have a role to play in how we address these.”

She said the project is a feasibility study, adding that it is a first step.

This story was originally published with the title "MARIN Tobago project aims to restore coral reefs" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Marine Resilience Initiative (MARIN) Tobago – an 18-month pilot project – has been launched to help devise a strategy to protect Tobago’s world-renowned coral reefs. The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) is spearheading the initiative to determine the most effective strategies to rehabilitate and strengthen the endangered ecological wonder.

The project, which was launched at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park on Monday by the IMA in partnership with bpTT, seeks to determine the appropriate and feasible rehabilitation strategies for both the coral reef as well as the seagrass beds that surround Tobago.

At the launch, Minister of Planning and Development Pennelope Beckles said, “Indeed, so much more is happening beyond the aesthetics of the sand upon which we stand, the surrounding lush foliage and swaying coconut trees, and the picturesque shores of the Pigeon Point Beach with its backdrop of aquamarine waters. Underneath that cover of beauty, nature is giving its all to maintain and preserve both the quality of life we live and our livelihoods.”

She said the ecosystems provide too many services to allow the degradation to go unaddressed.

“Our fisherfolk, tour operators, small traders depend on these marine ecosystems to remain at its optimum in order for their ocean-based business to grow and prosper. The importance of this assessment, therefore, cannot be over emphasised.”

She affirmed the ministry’s commitment to actively support, foster and advance dialogue and action that will enable the delivery of the development goals within the shortest time frame.