IMA s ROLE IN COASTAL AND OCEAN GOVERNANCE IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Presented by Rahanna Juman, Deputy Director (Ag.)
About the Institute of Marine Affairs Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) was established, incorporated and is administered in accordance with an Act of Parliament (1976), and became operational in 1978. Mission: To conduct and foster research and to provide advice for the sustainable management of the coastal and marine areas and resources of Trinidad and Tobago.
Mandate: develop and implement programmes and projects that translate the marine related policies of the Government into activities that contribute to national development; develop and execute programmes and projects that foster and encourage regional and international collaboration in the exploitation of the marine and other related areas of the environment; promote a public understanding of an appreciation for all aspects of marine and related environment; stimulate and advance the conduct of marine scientific research in Trinidad and Tobago; promote the utilization and conservation of the marine resources for the economic and social benefit of Trinidad and Tobago and to enhance the national capabilities
Development of an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Policy Framework, Strategies and Action Plan for Trinidad and Tobago Multi-sectoral Steering committee appointed in April 2012 4 thematic groups established Economic and Social Development Natural Resource Assessment Public Awareness, Education and Outreach Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation to climate change impacts Meetings held with standing committees- Land Reclamation, Integrated Water Resources Management, Development Planning etc 19 pre-policy consultations throughout Trinidad and Tobago Coastal zone policies from countries worldwide were reviewed
International Laws/ Conventions/ Treaties 27 conventions applicable to ocean governance but only four are expressly embodied in the laws of Trinidad and Tobago: Convention on the Continental Shelf - Continental Shelf Act (Ch 1:52- rev 2011) Aspects of the Law of the Seas Convention - Archipelagic Water and Exclusive Economic Zone (Ch 51:06 rev 2011) Some aspects of MARPOL Convention of the Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone - Territorial Sea Act (Ch. 1:52 rev. 2011) The non-legislating of international legal instruments has diminished the ability of international law to assist with ocean governance.
National Policies and Plans There 24 policies identified as touching on aspects of coastal/ocean governance. These include: o o o o Biodiversity-Fisheries, Protected Areas Policies Pollution-National Environmental Policy, Integrated Solid Waste Resource Management Policy Industry-based- Tourism, Ecotourism, Yachting Policy Development policies and plans-renewable Energy, Innovation, National Development Plan
Legislations and Institutional Framework There are some 20 pieces of legislation that can potentially address coastal and ocean governance. The multiplicity of laws and policies impacting on the ocean / coastal zone gives rise to as much as 29 institutions having a defined legal and/or policy role.
Definition of the coastal zone: The coastal zone of Trinidad and Tobago shall mean all areas of sea extending to the limit of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and includes the shoreline and coastal lands, which are inland areas above the high water mark that influence the quality or composition of coastal waters, or are influenced in some way by their proximity to coastal waters.
For the purpose of this Policy, the area will be zoned into: Terrestrial Zone T1- Immediate and direct impact area Terrestrial Zone T2- Area of influence Sea Zone S1 Immediate and direct impact area Sea Zone S2- Territorial Sea Sea Zone S3- Exclusive Economic Zone.
Map Showing Terrestrial Boundaries of Coastal Zone of Trinidad and Tobago
Map Showing Sea Ward Boundary of Coastal Zone for Trinidad and Tobago
Design and Feasibility of a Risk Resilient ICZM
Main Findings of the State of the Marine Environment Report 2016 Pollution of coastal waters is an ongoing and pervasive problem. Mangrove forests: continue to be cleared to facilitate built development and are susceptible to impacts from climate change (coastal squeeze). Seagrass Beds: decimated along the northwest peninsula of Trinidad and windward coast in Tobago, while they have spread into new areas as a consequence of nutrient pollution. Coral Reefs: Negatively impacted by pollution (nutrients and sediments) making them more vulnerable to impacts from climate change (bleaching) and diseases. Several species of commercially important fish have been found to be fully exploited or overexploited. Coastal Erosion remains a major concern, and is expected to be exacerbated by impacts from climate change
Cabinet Minute (March 23, 2017) Cabinet agreed: To the implementation of an Action Plan for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Policy Framework to mitigate the negative impacts on the coastal and marine environment of Trinidad and Tobago for the period 2017-2020 To the establishment by the Minister of Planning and Development of an inter-ministerial committee to guide action plan for the implementation of the ICZM Policy Framework
Inter-Ministerial Committee Review and finalised the draft ICZM Policy Framework based on a public consultative process Oversee the implementation of the ICZM Policy Framework to mitigate the negative impacts on the coastal and marine environment To identify key targets and indicators, and appropriate timelines as per the Action Plan To assign action items to the most relevant agency and co-opt others Ministries/ Division/ Agencies as may be required for the implementation of the Action Plan To prepare annual status reports on the implementation of the Action Plan and submit to the Ministry of Planning and Development To co-ordinate the production of a biennial State of the Marine Environment Report
Activities being undertaken by the IMA: Installation of a Water Quality Monitoring Buoy in the Gulf of Paria Pilot project: To develop an ICZM Plan and Marine Spatial Plan for the Northwest Peninsula of Trinidad Develop programme to manage / control the introduction of alien invasive species into the coastal and marine zones such as the Sargassum Response Plan and the Lionfish Management Plan, and Port Baseline Assessment. Identify significantly degraded coastal areas and ecosystems, and develop rehabilitation management plans. Develop and implement a public education campaign that addresses land-based sources of pollution.
Challenges to Overcome Political and administrative system Lack of co-ordination between agencies and sectors - fragmented approach Inadequate knowledge and understanding of many ocean systems, and limited capacity to acquire the information Lack of access to data / information - need to centralize databases Limited evaluation and monitoring Passive Public
THANK YOU Rahanna Juman Tel: 634-4291 ext. 1113 or 2531 E-mail: rajuman@ima.gov.tt TWITTER: @IMACHAG FACEBOOK: ima.gov.tt