Planning Minister in Portugal for UN ocean conference

Issues of climate change and the preservation of ocean ecosystems assumed full focus during Planning and Development Minister Pennelope Beckles’ participation at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal.

A media release from the ministry reported that Beckles is participating in the forum which started on Monday and will end on Friday.

One of the goals of the conference is to formulate science-based solutions to preserve the protection of oceans while addressing the problems of countries, specifically Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Also representing TT at the conference is director of the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) Dr Rahana Juman and second secretary on the permanent mission to the United Nations Vladmir Budhu.

The ministry said some of the problems facing TT's oceans include the degradation of coastal and marine ecosystems like coral reefs, mangrove swamps, seagrass beds and beaches from pollution.

Beckles is quoted as saying TT has had long-standing commitment to tackling environmental threats to its ocean ecosystems.

In April the ministry, the IMA and British Petroleum launched the Marine Resilience Initiative (MARIN) which sought to assess the rehabilitation of coral and seagrass sites in Tobago.

The project, which lasted 18 months, is intended to increase fish stocks and help coastal zones resist the effects of hurricanes and storms.

Last year TT also joined the Global Ocean Alliance which aims to protect at least 30 per cent of the global ocean in marine-protected areas (MPAs) by the year 2030.

The release added that TT's participation in the conference would help further the protection of the ocean and other related ecosystems by developing the necessary policy framework.

A 2017 biodiversity report estimated that coastal ecosystems are valued at over TT $2 million annually for the protection services they offer, as well as for recreation and tourism-based activities.