Trash Free Seas! - ICC 2013

The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) took place on Saturday 21^st September, 2013. Volunteers across Trinidad participated in the removal of litter and marine debris from eighteen (18) beaches and waterways, with a separate event in Tobago.

The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) is the major sponsor of the local chapter of the ICC. Thiis year the Ministry comprising of its Divisions and Agencies engaged in coordinated efforts to clean up one designated site, Chagville, Chaguaramas.

The Honourable Minister, Ganga Singh came out to actively participate in the removal of materials that threaten wildlife, human health, ecosystems, livelihoods and revenue generation. In addition, representatives from the Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD), the Ministry’s Head Office, Forestry Division, Drainage Division, the Water and Sewage Authority (WASA), National Reforestation Watershed and Rehabilitation Programme (NRWRP), Green Fund and the Meteorological Services also participated.

Staff of the Ministry with the Honourable Minister of the Environrment and Water Resources, Ganga Singh (front row, third from the left)

4,325.5 pounds of garbage was collected by 1,142 volunteers from Chagville Beach alone. The efforts of those willing participants helped to restore the aesthetics and increase the ocean’s resilience, but also worked towards raising the environmental consciousness by providing tangible evidence on the need for us to alter our behaviour and implement long-lasting, resounding solutions. The overarching purpose of the clean-up effort was in the hope of creating Trash Free Seas in Trinidad and Tobago.

Special thanks go out to the local organizer of the event, the Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD) and the National Planning Committee (NPC), all sponsors, site captains and volunteers as it was because of their support this event was a huge success.

 

Government Serious about Wildlife Conservation: Two Year Moratorium on Hunting in effect from Oct. 1st 2013

Minister of the Environment and Water Resources the Hon. Ganga Singh , yesterday announced a 2 year moratorium on hunting in Trinidad & Tobago with effect from the 2013-2014 hunting season which is scheduled to commence on October 1, 2013. The moratorium will be enforced by the Forestry Division of the Ministry of the Environmental and Water Resources with assistance from the Ministry of National Security. The Office of Attorney General is currently reviewing the penalties and fines in the Conservation of Wildlife Act with a view to amending the existing legislation. The proposed amendments will likely include:

1. The fine for hunting of any animal in a Game Sanctuary will be increased from $1000 or 3 months imprisonment to $100,000 or 12 months imprisonment  
2. The fine for taking a dog into a game Sanctuary for the purpose of hunting will be raised from $1000 or 3 months imprisonment to $100,000 or 12 months imprisonment 
3. The fine for hunting a protected animal without a Special Game License from the Chief Game Warden will be raised from $1000 or 3 months imprisonment to $50,000 for “each animal” 
4. The fine for being found on state lands under circumstances of hunting any second schedule animal under the Conservation of Wildlife Act will be raised from $400 or 3 months imprisonment and disqualification from holding a state game license as the magistrate sees fit to $50,000 or 12 months imprisonment and disqualification from holding a state game license to as the magistrate sees fit 
5. The fine for carrying into state lands any gun or weapon or device capable of being used to hunt any second schedule animal under the Conservation of Wildlife Act has been raised from $400 or 3 months imprisonment and disqualification from holding a state game license as the magistrate sees fit to $5000 or 6 months imprisonment and disqualification from holding a state game license to as the magistrate sees fit 
6. Hunting in the closed season without a special game license and not under the special conditions to exercise dogs in lands other than Forest Reserves and Game Sanctuaries will be raised from $2000 or 6 months imprisonment to $100,000 or 24 months imprisonment.

 The full text of the Minister’s speech can be found on the Ministry's facebook page , or the following document can be viewed at the following link:

-  The Hon. Minister Ganga Singh Post Cabinet Media Statement on Wildlife Management


The Legal Notice and the Gazette for the ban on hunting can also be viewed at the following link:

• Legal Notice Conservation of Wildlife Act Hunting 
• Gazette Conservation of Wildlife Act Hunting Moratorium  

 

4th National Workshop to Discuss and Endorse the NIP for Trinidad and Tobago

The fourth national stakeholder workshop for the development of the national profile for the Stockholm Convention convened on  September 11, 2013 at the Capital Plaza Hotel, from 8:30am – 4:00pm. 

The intention of the fourth of a series workshops was to update  stakeholders on the progress of the POPs Project, while engaging them in the process of endorsing the National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention. Key actions which are intended to occur over the next  five (5) years (2014 to 2018, inclusive) were recommended in this NIP project document and also indicates the timing of each action, as well as the budget requirement for each. 

These key actions included: 

• Strategic legislative actions including the enacting of local enabling legislation for the Stockholm Convention and the amendment of the negative list to include Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) consequently revising customs regulations;
• Providing technical assistance and capacity building opportunities for industries, farmers and other relevant stakeholders;
•  Investigating the effects of POPs while promoting alternatives and remediating sites contaminated by POPs;
• Implementing a public awareness and information exchange programme.

 

  >> Report on the Draft NIP Workshop Report 

 

L-R: Ms. Rosemary Lall (UNDP), Mr. Kishan Kumarsingh (Head, Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources - (MEWR)), Honorable  Minister  Senator Ganga Singh (MEWR), Ms. Vidiah Ramkhelawan (Permanent Secretary, MEWR) and Mr. Hans Schulz (Project Manager, NIP) at the fourth and final National Workshop to  Support the Implementation of the Stockholm Convention in Trinidad and Tobago hosted by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at Capital Plaza, Port of Spain.