According to the recent study of the Global Status of Reef Sharks, Tobago supports a higher than average number of shark species. Dr Anjani Ganase asks us to take note and institute measures to protect and conserve this diversity.

A recent study on the global status of reef sharks has finally been published and confirms that reef sharks have a long history of heavy over exploitation. The study surveyed coral reefs from 58 countries around the world, including 18 in the Caribbean region. These surveys show that about 20 % of the reefs surveyed were devoid of reef shark species; these included the Dominican Republic and Colombia. Areas with lower shark numbers were more commonly associated with greater fishing pressures because of high local human population densities, as well as poor governance and management of shark fishing. 
The study also revealed which factors contributed to areas with an above average number of reef sharks. These factors include regulation on the restricted use of certain fishing equipment, such as gillnets and longlines. The gillnet is made of nylon that is spread through the water column trapping anything that crosses its path. Most fish get caught by their gills as the fish tries to back out of the net. Longlines use lines towed behind the boat with a series of baited hooks. Unfortunately, both methods have a very high by-catch rate, where unintended marine organisms such as turtles and dolphins are caught as well. Additional factors that help conserve sharks are the establishment of protected areas or shark sanctuaries, as well as enforcing catch limits. 

For this study, the authors used the BRUV (baited remote underwater video) system where an underwater camera is attached to a baited cage and lowered to the reef bottom. The camera then records all marine life that approaches the BRUV including sharks and rays. The method is unbiased and removes the disturbances that can be caused by human divers. The BRUV method also allows places that are not easily accessible by humans, such as deeper sites and more exposed wave environments to be observed as well. 

Trinidad and Tobago was one of the countries included in the study. In 2016, Environmental Research Institute of Charlotteville (ERIC) collaborated with Global Fin Print to survey three sites across Trinidad and Tobago - northeast Tobago, Buccoo and Toco using the BRUV technology. The project was supported by the Tobago House of Assembly, Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment, who granted the research permit, and by the fisheries officers from the Division of Food Production, Forestry and Fisheries, who assisted in the fieldwork. The results of the study ranked T&T as one of the countries with the lowest probability of observing sharks. This is not a surprise as reef sharks in Tobago are a rare sight. T&T has extremely poor fisheries management in general, in addition to our culture of eating shark. As part of the global study, the outcome of the study found that Tobago, compared to the rest of the Caribbean region, has a lower than average incidence of reef sharks via the BRUVs. On average, sharks were observed 25 % of the time using the BRUVS; in Tobago they were observed only 18 % of the time.
However in Tobago, the diversity of shark species was well above average (regional average is five species, while in Tobago ten species were observed). The species observed include the Caribbean reef shark, smoothhound shark, nurse sharks, sharpnose sharks, as well as larger predators such as Tiger sharks and the critically endangered Great Hammerheads. Therefore, while low numbers were expected for T&T, the results also show that with the protection of areas and the regulation of fishing methods, Trinidad and Tobago can be a viable place for shark conservation, considering that a variety of shark species are still found on our reefs.

While some of the results are sobering, the study highlighted that areas with high conservation potential are those that implement strategies such as fisheries management and establishment of shark sanctuaries. This requires close collaboration between government agencies and community. This is especially important for Tobago as we move towards implementing the approved National Protected Areas Systems Plan! - Ryan Mohammed, ERIC

This is a comforting result when compared to my personal observations. Of the 200 or more surveys on coral reefs across 13 countries in the Caribbean done over nine months, my team only encountered five sharks. All of the sharks observed were found in marine protected areas in Belize and Bahamas. 
Reef sharks have really important and variable roles on coral reefs. Many of the roles vary with the species of the sharks. Tiger Sharks are an example of an apex predator that consumes large amounts of food and their prey includes marine turtles and smaller sharks; they really can eat anything that comes in their path. Conversely, Great Hammerheads feed on prey that lives close to the bottom, such as stingrays, where they use their head to pin down the ray. Both of these large shark species have very wide home ranges, roaming the ocean for over a thousand kilometres. Owing to their size, these large sharks play a role in transporting nutrients away from reefs to the open ocean. 

Smaller reef shark species, such as the Caribbean reef shark and Blacktips, have relatively smaller home ranges and reside within 50 km or even less of a coral reef. The presence of these sharks on coral reefs is fundamental to the proper functioning of healthy coral reefs by restricting overpopulation of species lower down the food chain. The diet of reef sharks is quite varied. Nurse sharks and Blacktip reef sharks feed mainly on shellfish, along with squid and shrimp. Caribbean reef and Blacktip sharks target fish and stingrays. Coral reefs benefit from this top down control in the food web to prevent the overpopulation of specific species. In return, coral reefs act as nurseries for certain shark species owing to the three-dimensional complexity of the reef that aids in providing refuge. 
Considering the high diversity of shark species in T&T, the development of an MPA and shark sanctuary along with regulations for the use of gillnets may drastically restore local populations. Tobago is one of the few destinations in the Caribbean where visitors can explore our coral reefs for shark encounters; another asset for marine research and tourism. 
Reference: 
MacNeil MA et al. (2020) Global status and conservation potential of reef sharks. Nature
Source:  Wild Tobago, July 30, 2020

Trinidadian volunteer Giselle Mendez was given the Commonwealth Points of Light award from the Queen for her service during the COVID-19 pandemic, said the British High Commission.
Mendez represented Trinidad and Tobago as the 148th Commonwealth Point of Light in honour of her exceptional voluntary service encouraging community volunteering.
In a statement issued July 17, 2020, UK High Commissioner Tim Stew said Mendez' volunteer work during the challenging COVID-19 period is inspiring:
'Giselle Mendez has shown us the value of coming together to connect, even virtually, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.'
'I am inspired by her work to bring about meaningful change in various communities and to positively influence young people in this country. And, I’m delighted that Giselle will join three others from Trinidad and Tobago who have received this award from Her Majesty the Queen.
'This also makes Giselle the 148th person in the Commonwealth to receive this international award since 2018.'
'I wish her continued strength to carry on this good work. And I hope this award will further inspire young people to act, however they can, to drive positive change in their communities.'
Mendez, founder of the ‘Volunteer Centre of Trinidad and Tobago’ (VCTT) in 2012, has worked to connect people and encourage collaborations with volunteers for sustained and structured interventions in various sectors.
During the COVID-19 pandemic the VCTT team launched their ‘virtual volunteering’ initiative to promote mindfulness and safe volunteering opportunities such as telephone befriending, child tutoring, letter writing to isolated people or donating to an NGO.
Mendez also leads over 130 mentors that will provide guidance and support to young people beyond the pandemic through their e-mentoring programmes, ‘Me to We’ and ‘Grown in East Port of Spain’.
Mendez said the VCTT aims to help transform communities for the better.
'Volunteer Centre of Trinidad and Tobago’ (VCTT) is a volunteer matching platform which connects people to high impact custom built interventions which support the Sustainable Development Goals.'
'Our current interventions include the ‘Me to We E-Mentorship’ programme supported by Prince's Trust International, the ‘Grown in East Port of Spain home & community garden’ initiative supported by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme and the development of a regional network for Volunteerism supported by ‘Ruach Tova’ - Good Deeds Day.'
'At VCTT we believe in the transformational power of people, and our family of volunteers is honoured for this recognition of our 8 years of service as we curate an all-inclusive space for citizens to be activated and meaningfully engaged in pioneering viable solutions, in support of our ‘Vision of A Volunteer In Every Home’.'
As part of the legacy of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London 2018, Her Majesty The Queen - as Head of the Commonwealth - thanked inspirational volunteers across the 54 Commonwealth nations for the difference they have made in their communities and beyond, by recognising one volunteer from each Commonwealth country every week.
The High Commission said: 'By sharing these stories of service, the Commonwealth Points of Light awards celebrate inspirational acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time, including the current COVID-19 pandemic.'
The High Commission said voluntary service is high on the agenda for improving Commonwealth nations, which is why the Queen has chosen to recognise outstanding volunteers across the Commonwealth in this special way.  Source: The Loop, July 30, 2020

Approximately 165 Venezuelan nationals were repatriated to their home country this week, National Security Minister Stuart Young confirmed to Loop News.
The development comes after several illegal immigrants were recently detained by authorities - several Trinidadian nationals were also detained in connection with human trafficking.
In a video shared online, a man claimed in Spanish that a vessel was carrying repatriated Venezuelans. Other videos were recently shared online showing Venezuelan vessels in the Gulf of Paria near Chaguaramas.  
crackdownLOOP NEWS CREATED : 29 JULY 2020COVID-19
Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to LinkedInShare to WhatsAppShare to MessengerShare to EmailShare to TelegramShare to More186Approximately 165 Venezuelan nationals were repatriated to their home country this week, National Security Minister Stuart Young confirmed to Loop News.
The development comes after several illegal immigrants were recently detained by authorities - several Trinidadian nationals were also detained in connection with human trafficking.
In a video shared online, a man claimed in Spanish that a vessel was carrying repatriated Venezuelans. Other videos were recently shared online showing Venezuelan vessels in the Gulf of Paria near Chaguaramas.  
In a media briefing on Saturday (July 25), Young said that national security agencies would be ensuring that anyone found involved in human trafficking would be charged under the Trafficking in Persons Act.
Young added that Venezuelans with national registration cards, who were caught assisting or harbouring illegal immigrants, would have their registrations revoked and would be deported.
Trinidadians have raised concerns over the possible spread of COVID-19 due to the unregulated entry of illegal immigrants, following a recent spike in confirmed cases. 
Due to patient confidentiality, the Ministry has not confirmed whether any patients were illegal immigrants. The Ministry also warned the public not to 'jump to conclusions'.
The increase in cases has lead to a surge of xenophobic comments online. 
As of July 28, 2020, there were five more cases of the virus, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 153.
The Health Ministry said three of the cases were imported as a result of nationals who had returned from Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, and Vietnam.
The Ministry said another recent case is a primaary contact of another recent positive case, while another is ending epidemiological investigations. 
Five (5) additional persons have tested positive for COVID-19.
-      Three (3) of the cases are imported. These are nationals who recently returned from the  following countries: Antigua, Guyana and Vietnam
-      One case is a primary contact of a recently positive COVID-19 case.
-      One case is pending epidemiological investigation. 
 

There will be a major addition to the education landscape in South Trinidad with the opening of a new international school. This will be the first international school in the Southland.
The Oxbridge International School (OXIS) will be coming to Irving Street in San Fernando.  Its home is a modern multi-storey building with breath-taking views of the city and the Gulf of Paria.
OXIS is a multi-level school, which takes children from Grade 1 (standard 1) all the way to 6th form.  The school, therefore, takes in children at about age 6 and graduates them between 18 and 20.
OXIS is divided into three schools – Lower, Middle and Upper.
The Lower School runs from Grades 1-6 and ages 6-11.  The Middle and Upper Schools run from Grades 7- 12 and ages 12 and up.
Students are exposed to British and American curricula.  As they progress, parents can choose which stream is better suited to their kids at Grade 10.  Gifted students can pursue both streams.
The American stream leads to SAT examinations for US university admission.  The British stream moves students to iGCSE (Cambridge examinations) at Ordinary and Advanced levels.  These are internationally accepted, and students wishing to attend university in Canada, England or the USA will be particularly well-served.
Children attending Lower School in OXIS will not have to write the SEA examinations in order to move to Middle and Upper Schools.

OXIS is a holistic education school so as could be expected, there are a lot of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities on the menu.  Parent engagement is critical, and so children will be assessed on entry and receive customised education geared towards the development of a global mindset. Parents will receive regular feedback from the school on the performance of their child.
Schoolwork is for SchoolOXIS told The 99% that it takes responsibility for a child’s education, relieving parents of the strain of doing further work when the child gets home  The stress of excessive homework and projects for children is relieved by having dedicated tutors on hand to do the work with students after formal teaching is complete.
After a full, fun and meaningful day, the kids can then play freely when they get home.
The OXIS website is https://oxis.edu.tt
Source: the 99%, June 2020

At 105-years-old, Irving Joseph’s advice on living a long, productive, and fulfilling life includes having humility, caring for one’s family, and making one’s children a priority.
With a royal blue tuxedo, white shirt and grey tie designed two-layered cake, representative of Joseph’s long-time common attire and favourite colour, a small family gathering at his Arima home, was held in honour of his 105th birthday, which he celebrated on June 17.
Now visually impaired for the past two years, Joseph would have liked to see his cake, which was described to him by his wife Joanne 60, and five of his six children who made it to the milestone celebration. Nevertheless, the old chap who donned a long-sleeved brown shirt was just in his glee to be still around.
Describing the personality of her father, Josanne Joseph, his youngest, said he was always a very easy going individual, very simple and quiet.
She also recalls his style of discipline: “He would not just tell you not to do something. Correction usually came with a long rigmarole story and then he would leave you to think about it so that you can do the right thing.”
His method worked as Josanne said more often than not because he was so sweet about it, they had no choice but to do the right thing.
The old adage—“Friends would carry you but they would never bring you back,” was also a lesson well instilled.
Josanne shared with Guardian Media some of her fondest memories of her father in his former years like his Sunday evening ritual of shoe shining or the 1930s calypso tunes he would whistle while weeding the yard—calypsoes Josanne said none of his children knew. There were also many stories Joseph would tell of cutting bush to make roads.
Joseph, a former oiler at the Ministry of Works and Transport, shares a unique relationship with his wife though the 45-year age difference. In a telephone interview with Josanne, she said she believed her parents’ relationship was perfect.
“They have a very good understanding, my mother would always be the one to ‘front’ as the boss, but they are very old school. Dad would give her that leeway, but my dad always had the last say,” she said.
Josanne noted another great thing about their relationship was their ability to resolve their differences without arguments.
“I have never seen my parents argued. We would know something was up because mom would say she’s not doing this or that, but then, she would still make sure he had his meals and so on,” she said.
Of Joseph’s experience living through the global pandemic and the many disruptions in social life it has caused, the ground provision lover declared he had never heard of such a thing in his born life.
Making it to 105 is a gift from God for Joseph’s family, Josanne said: “For me, that is my dad, I do not ever want him to go anywhere, but my mom is the one who fusses about that time which she says will eventually come.”
Source: The Guardian, June 2020

This is the day when we all celebrate the historic achievements of the Labour movement across the country.
As Prime Minister, I salute those achievements and the efforts of all those labour leaders, who struggled on behalf of workers, so today Trinidad and Tobago enjoys a unique quality of life, which compares favourably, with many countries in the developed world.
My greetings to the Labour movement on Labour Day 2020 are extended on behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and my own family.
As a result of the Novel Corona Virus, the celebrations this year are expected to be more restrained.
Nonetheless, the victories of June 19, 1937, achieved on behalf of workers are saluted as a historic point in the march of labour, which began almost 100 years earlier, in the Emancipation of slave labour in 1838.
Historical surveys from then, up to1937, indicate that workers over that near one-hundred-year period were, at best, “half-free and half-coerced”, hence their history of fierce opposition and resistance to colonial racism and persecution.
They reveal that up to the pre-1937 period the average oil worker was described as living in a social milieu of squalor, hooliganism and prostitution receiving only 91.5 cents a day, while farm workers on cocoa estates, just like sugar workers, who existed in dilapidated dwellings, without basic sanitary facilities, received a mere 40 cents.
In that period leaders such as Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler, Adrian Cola Rienzi, Elma Francois, the ten women who were arrested for their participation in the June 19 riots -- just to cite a few -- responded vigorously to those issues.
Butler, a Grenadian by birth, is remembered as an injured oilfield worker, turned preacher, who passionately articulated the abuses of workers generally, such as their deplorable working conditions, poor remuneration, racial discrimination, and the economic depression of the 1930s.
It is only “right and fitting” that today this country should honour Butler, as the late UWI Principal, Professor Lloyd Braithwaite wrote, in a tribute: “…for without his (Butler’s) persistence and fortitude there would have been no June 1937, and the modern trade union and labour movement would not have been born at that time”.
Having progressed to Independence, we should acknowledge that, although there were differences and tensions, our post-colonial Governments, in the main, have recognised labour’s role in national development. e.g. the Industrial Stabilisation Act, 1965, introduced the concept of compulsory arbitration and the establishment of the Industrial Court.
Since then the Court has been recognised as the legitimate arbiter in industrial disputes between employers and workers.
Today, we can proudly describe labour-employer relations in Trinidad and Tobago as respectful and stable. We can attribute this to efforts of the labour movement, private sector and the Government, each one seeking the best outcomes for this country.
For instance, the Government, as the largest employer, has maintained and supported its employees, using available technology, which allows thousands to work virtually, during the current pandemic.
Significantly, the Government has ensured the jobs and salaries of all public servants, during this stay-at-home.
Undoubtedly, it recognises the importance of the nation’s workers as a most important asset in keeping our country economically, socially and politically stable.
The face of labour as we have known it is changing, and the sudden, devastating appearance of COVID-19 has certainly brought this realisation to the centre stage.
It should be noted that, as a Government, we were forced to make unprecedented decisions to protect everyone in this country.
This country owes a debt of gratitude to our frontline workers, who took up their charge, ensuring that the rest of Trinidad and Tobago remained safe and productive.
Our health care workers, those in the protective services, sanitation and garbage collectors, the public utilities, the supermarkets – essential workers - reminded us that every job is important and even some that society may ignore are the ones most needed to uphold us as a nation.
These workers are exemplars of our national watch words, Discipline, Production and Tolerance. As they worked together, they made us proud to be citizens of this country which so far has successfully fought off destruction by a rampaging virus which is still wreaking havoc across the world.
So, today as we celebrate another Labour Day let us never forget the past struggles and the names of those who brought us to this place of stability.
Nonetheless, let us prepare ourselves very early for the many coming challenges and transformations in the “new” world, after the Covid-19 pandemic.
But let us look towards that future, with boundless faith in our destiny, collectively, in a mutually beneficial relationship, which ultimately will create a stronger Trinidad and Tobago.
Towards this end, I wish all our citizens a safe and enjoyable Labour Day!

Out of a total of 33 endangered species recorded in Trinidad and Tobago, over half of them live in the ocean, and many of them are at risk of extinction due to overfishing.
Many out of the list are prized within the commercial fishing industry, including various species of shark and the Nassau grouper, which is the most important of the groupers for commercial fishery in the West Indies.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Trinidad and Tobago’s list of critically endangered and endangered species includes the Trinidad White-fronted Capuchin, the Leatherback and Hawksbill Turtles, and many shark species such as the Great Hammerhead, Longfin Mako, Shortfin Mako and Oceanic Whitetip Shark.
Several species of coral, which are critical fishery habitats, are also listed as critically endangered due to temperature rise and habitat impacts.
Here’s a list of 33 endangered and critically animals in Trinidad and Tobago, according to the IUCN:
Trinidad White-fronted Capuchin
Hawksbill Turtle
Green Turtle
Great Hammerhead
Smalltooth Sawfish
Daggernose Shark
Largetooth Sawfish
Scalloped Hammerhead
Nassau Grouper
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Trinidad Piping-guan
Trinidad Worm Snake
Basking Shark
Longfin Mako
Golden Tilefish
Bentfin Devilray
Sicklefin Devilray
Giant Devilray
Longfin Mako
Shortfin Mako
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
American Eel
Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis)
Mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata)
Boulder star coral (Orbicella annularis)
Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmate)
Staghorn coral ((Acropora cervicornis)
Red Siskin
Black-capped Petrel
Eskimo Curlew (migratory)
Golden Tree Frog (Phytotriades auratus)
Adult tree frog (Flectonotus fitzgeraldi)
Robber frog (Pristimantis urichi)
No laws protecting sharks, endangered fish species
Marine scientist Shivonne Peters said more protections should be put in place for endangered marine species, including those within the protected Buccoo Reef Marine Park.
She said there is a dire need for local legislation to protect critical marine species such as sharks and queen conch.
She added that within the protected Buccoo Reef Marine Park poaching of conch, parrotfish and sharks occurs in the protected area.
“There should be more protection, and within the Buccoo Marine Park, the only marine protected area, there needs to be active enforcement, and maybe a change to existing legislation, because the penalties are very minimal…the legislation was enacted decades ago and has not changed since,” she said.
Peters, who was the park manager for seven years and left in 2018, said many environmental organisations have been clamouring for more protections for marine species.
Additionally, she said no consistent scientific monitoring is done to determine species density and reef health.
Peters is currently pursuing a PhD on these issues with an aim to improving the data available on these topics.
According to a 2019 United Nations report, approximately 1 million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction within the next few decades. 
For the full list of endangered and vulnerable species worldwide, see the IUCN's Red List here: https://www.iucnredlist.org/ 
Source: The Loop, March 3, 2020

​The University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine, has appointed the first female Professor of Science, Professor Judith Gobin.
According to a statement from NIHERST, Professor Gobin is also Head of the Department of Life Sciences, the largest Department in the Faculty of Science and Technology.
“For the first time in the history of the St. Augustine Campus of The University of the West Indies and the Faculty of Science - we have a female Professor of Science.”
NIHERST commemorated the development, which coincides with World Ocean Day 2020, celebrated on June 8 every year.
“On World Ocean’s Day 2020, celebrated on June 8 every year, NIHERST finds it only fitting that we pay a very special tribute to Professor Gobin, our very own local and pioneering scientist in Marine Biology.”
NIHERST said Professor Gobin’s marine research career spans more than 38 years and she has made significant academic contributions to the knowledge of Marine Biodiversity in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. 
She has published on a number of “new marine scientific records” and “new marine species” (approximately 298) - for Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. Her research concentrations began in soft coastal marine sediments followed by rocky shores and more recently deep-sea areas. 
In this respect, she successfully launched with NIHERST a book and a 5-part DVD in 2018.
The state agency said Professor Gobin is the first and only Caribbean and UWI marine scientist to:

• Be appointed to the REV Ocean Science and Innovation Committee (SIC) alongside other top global scientists (2019).
• Be appointed to the Global advisory board on Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) - alongside the top global deep sea scientists (2018).
• Contribute (as Lead Author) to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) (2019)
• Contribute to the global project- Census of Marine Life - a 10-year scientific initiative, which comprised 2,700 scientists from 80 nations (2010).
• Contribute to the World Ocean Assessment 2015 report

“Professor Gobin’s significant contributions are in no way purely academic as she continues at a national, regional and global level to promote and apply scientific knowledge to solve real-world problems.”
NIHERST said some of her international research partners include the IUCN, the Royal Society of the UK, EV Nautilus and the Ocean Environmental Trust (OET), the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) and the South American Coastal Research group (SARCE).
NIHSERT said Professor Gobin is globally recognized as a key SIDs (small island developing states) marine science expert and has been doing invited (international) talks on these topics since 2016.
Professor Gobin’s message is to all, but especially to girls and young women who remain less likely to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM):
“In Trinidad and Tobago, we have been making strides in marine and environmental scientific research; for example-here at the University of the West Indies (Faculty of Science and Technology), NIHERST, UTT and IMA with support from the Ministry of Planning and Development (responsibility for the Environment) as well as companies such as SHELL and BPTT.”
“However, there is still much more to be done and I wish to make a personal appeal to all- the Government, Industry and the Private sector of Trinidad and Tobago- please channel more funds and resources into scientific research and STEM- it is where our future lies.”