ET News December 2010

Environment TO BAGO new slett er

E n vi r on m e n t TO-
BAGO (ET) is a non-
government, non-profit, vol-
unteer organisation , not
Volume 5 Issue 3 September 2010

subsidized by any one group, Environment TOBAGO’s 15th AGM
corporation or government
body.

Founded in 1995, ET is a
proactive advocacy group that Environment TOBAGO’s 15th AGM took place on the 28th July at the Bo-
campaigns against negative tanic Gardens Conference Room in Scarborough, and was attended by 30 members.
environmental activities
throughout Tobago. We
The meeting commenced with the chairman’s welcome and opening speech and
achieve this through a variety prayer by Mr. Kamau Akili.
of community and environ- Madam President, Mrs. Patricia Turpin, welcomed all those present and proceeded
mental outreach programmes. with her annual report. She first addressed the issue of minimal investment in the
Environment TOBAGO is conservation of the natural capital; she then proceeded to inform that with the newly
funded mainly through grants elected government, more optimistic times may follow. The effect of the economic
and membership fees. These
funds go back into implement- downturn upon Environment Tobago was also addressed – Mrs. Turpin highlighted
ing our projects. We are the impact that this had on the organisation’s operating capital and staffing budget.
grateful to all our sponsors
over the years and thank
The report then proceeded to reveal an unexpected turn in the organisation’s
them for their continued bleak economy – an alliance request from a large corporate sponsor. Mrs. Turpin
firstly thanked the unrelenting efforts of the girls in the office for organising the fund-

W hat’s inside ing requests and then explained that with such an exciting development, Environment
Tobago should be able to stand on its own for a long time.
ET’s 15th AGM 1 She then went on to extend gratitude to Ms Bridgette Laptiste for her single-
Book & DVD donation by US 2 handed management of ET’s administration; and then to Mr Bertrand Bhikarry for his
and Australian Embassies management and upkeep of the website, to Mr Gervais Alkins for running the ET Sun-
Charlotteville’s Community 3 day Hikes and to Ms Hema Singh for her
Awareness Day efforts in promoting awareness through the
Cyanobacteria in SW Tobago 4 Environmental Education Programme. At this
point in her report Mrs. Turpin also ex-
Biodiversity Lecture - J 6
David Hardy tended gratitude to ET’s new partner (the
Ecology Notes
Environmental Lawyers) Renee Gift-
7
Ramlogan & Co for assisting to push the
Telling it as it is 7 EMA to conform to the EIA process as re- The current ET Board of Directors, left to
The ubiquitous plastic bag 9 quired for different development projects on right, Shirley McKenna (Treasurer), Patricia
the island; to British volunteer Ms Zoe C Turpin (President), Wendy Austin (Secretary)
Rare corals discovery 10
Mason for her indefinite assistance in the of- and Bertrand Bhikkary (Vice President)
Tobago Megawatershed 11 fice and on the educational projects; and then
structure explained
to the Australian Embassy for their very generous donation of eighty seven new
Interview with David Rooks 12 books for the ET Library.
- Pt 2
The report proceeded to list the accomplishments of ET’s Education pro-
Traffic on Courland Greens 16 gram, to brief proposed projects for future implementation and to disclose the re-
Book Review 18 cently formed partnerships with the media, Coral Cay Conservation NGO, DNRE,
20
Garifuna Ltd, UNESCO, Piranha International and UWI.
What’s Happening @ ET
Treasurer, Mrs. Shirley McKenna, explained that in 2009 well over 93% of
Notes to contributors 22

Environment TOBAGO newsletter

ET’s immediate funding was derived from special projects: from UNDP for the Wet-
lands project and Belle garden Wetland Project; from BPTT for the Rainforest Educa-
tion Programme; From Petrotrin, NLCB and BHP for the Keep a Clean School Compe-
tition; From CDF for the Summer Eco Camp; and from UTC for a beach cleanup. She
September 2010 also extended thanks to the J.D Fernandes Group for the recurrent funding of
$123,000. . She proceeded to stress that heightened emphasis must be placed on areas
that will generate income for recurrent purposes; for example forming strategic alli-
Editor:
Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal ance partnerships, focussing on sponsorship, advertisement and the employment of a
Assistant Editor: CEO. She concluded her report by emphasising the need for fundraising in order to
Christopher K. Starr keep the organisation alive.
Design & Layout: The meeting concluded by returning Madam President, Ms. Patricia Turpin, ex-
Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal
tending her congratulations to the new Board of Directors; she thanked Ms Janet Parks
Technical Support:
Jerome Ramsoondar for her role as Returning Officer and to Ms Bridgette Laptiste for assisting. She ex-
Enid Nobbee tended her hopes for the year ahead and thanked all for their support.
Contributors:
Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal
Christopher K. Starr
Bertrand Bhikkary
Zoë Charlotte Mason
Stuart Sampson The US and Australian Embassies support Environmental Education
Environment Generous donations of books and DVDs were provided to Environment To-
TOBAGO
Photographs: bago for the Education Centre Update
Jeff Canfield
Duncan Young Earlier this year we, Environment Tobago (ET), embarked on a new project to
Stuart Sampson update our existing library resources. The aim of this project was simply to acquire
cutting edge books to help us expand our resource base and better serve our commu-
Environment
TOBAGO nity. With the generous support of the US and Australian Embassies this project pro-
posal was made a reality – a reality that serves to better Tobago’s Environmental Edu-
cation for years to follow.
Our existing library has been up and running for public use since the year 2000,
offering a wide range of reading material covering biological, oceanographic and geo-
Board of Directors graphic sciences as well as published re-
2010-2012 search papers; though due to lacking finan-
cial resources we were unable to expand
President:: the centre to satisfy the growing need of
Patricia Turpin the public. Last year, ET was able to pur-
Vice-President:
Bertrand Bhikkary chase approximately twenty books on the
Secretary: Logos II ship, which visited the island. This
Wendy Austin was the first time in over three years, in
Treasurer: which our organization was able to add
Shirley Mc Kenna
books to our library.
Committee members:
Kamau Akili With an array of new information
William Trim becoming available on environmental issues,
Fitzherbert Phillips concerns, solutions, technology etc we felt From left to right, Hema Singh (former Education
Geoffrey Lewis that this update was not only critically Officer, Wendy Austin (Secretary), Naette Lee
Rupert McKenna
Claudette Allard
needed but also long overdue. Teachers (US Embassy Librarian), Patricia Turpin (ET Presi-
David Antoine were continuously asking for more informa- dent)
Gervais Alkins tion on environmental issues, especially as
Darren Henry Environmental Studies and Wetlands are now a part of the secondary and primary
Zoë Charlotte Mason schools’ curriculum. This gap we needed to fill.
The US and Australian Embassies answered our prayers and to them we ex-

Volume 5 Issue 3 Page 3

tend eternal gratitude. The Australian Embassy generously provided us with a grand
eighty-seven book collection, covering a variety of genres: environmental, marine, bio-
logical, environmental management and sustainability to name a few. This delivery has
been a huge asset to our library collection and we are confident that scholars, tour
guides, students and the general public will seek to benefit from this new resource. In
addition to this wonderful donation, we received an unexpected call from the US Em-
bassy last week offering ET a selection of Marine books and DVDs. Combined with The
Australian Embassy’s donation; we are now closer to filling the gap that existed in our
library.
We thank both Embassies very much and now welcome all to visit our new li-
brary collection! As previous only ET members may loan the books, so please come on
up to 11 Cuyler Street, Scarborough and join us in our pursuit of promoting Environ-
mental Education for a more sustainable future.

From the people to the people—Environment Tobago helped TRHA set
president with Charlotteville’s Community Awareness day

Environment Tobago (ET) was one of the several groups that participated in
Tobago Regional Health Authority’s (TRHA) Community Awareness event in Char-
lotteville on Thursday 27th August. Other groups participating were: The Breast Can-
cer Screening Centre; The THA Social Services Department providing information on
mental health, substance misuse& abuse and also shelter management; The Commu-
nity Emergency Response Team (CERT); and The Red Cross who were providing in-
formation on sexual health and wellbeing.
The day proved to be a great success,
with a large number of visitors from the village
and from further afield getting involved; asking
questions, collecting information packs and sup-
porting the respective organisations. ET’s re-
ception was wonderfully encouraging; with
many taking interest in the organisation, our
mission and merchandise. As 2010 is the United
Nations International Year of Biodiversity
(IYOB) ET took this opportunity to provide
visitors with information on Tobago’s biodiver-
sity: its importance, its decline, how negative Visitor getting information at one of the
booths at Charlotteville’s Community
behaviours concerning the environment can
Awareness day.
directly impact on our health, and ways in
which we can all help to restore and preserve the island’s natural wonders.
By far the most important message to arise from this event was the impera-
tive need for more community collaboration drives to occur across the island. At ET
we deem understanding the direct effect of environmental degradation and disregard
on human health with utmost importance, particularly when you consider the existing
Dengue outbreaks, excessive flooding, and a seeming surge in water pollution island-
wide. The need is now greater than ever for information to be made easily accessible
to the public. In a forum such as the Charlotteville Community Awareness day this
objective was made achievable and ET would be delighted to make such occasions a
frequent feature across the island communities.

Environment TOBAGO newsletter Page 4

Preliminary Report on the Occurrence of Cyanobacteria in SouthWest
Tobago
Environment TOBAGO

The Problem

During the months of July-August 2010, dive operators on the southwest coast
of Tobago reported the presence of a cyanobacteria - this manifested as a red filament
(it looks like a spiders web) covering an area from Flying Reef in the south as far north
as Castara. The worst hit areas are Mt. Irvine Bay and Buccoo Bay. In Buccoo Bay, it is
severe.

The Plant

Considering the bacteria's ability to thrive in the local environment, the pres-
ence of a consistent single (or multiple source) of the factors which contribute to its
existence is suggested. Since it only grows in nutrient rich waters, the presence of sew-
age (e-coli) and other household or domestic waste may be evident on sampling.
Cyanobacteria can be found in almost every conceivable environment, from
oceans to fresh water to bare rock to soil. They can occur as planktonic cells or form
phototrophic biofilms in fresh water and marine environments, they occur in damp soil,
or even temporarily moistened rocks in deserts. A few are endosymbionts in lichens,
plants, various protists, or sponges and provide energy for the host. Some live in the
fur of certain animals, providing a form of camouflage.
Aquatic cyanobacteria are probably best known for the extensive and highly
visible blooms that can form in both freshwater and the marine environment and can
have the appearance of scum. The association of toxicity with such blooms has fre-
quently led to the closure of recreational waters when blooms are observed.
Certain cyanobacteria produce cyanotoxins including anatoxin-a, anatoxin-as,
aplysiatoxin, cylindrospermopsin, domoic acid, microcystin LR, nodularin R (from
Nodularia), or saxitoxin. Sometimes a mass-reproduction of cyanobacteria
results in algal blooms such as the red tide event. These toxins can be neurotoxins,
hepatotoxins, cytotoxins, and endotoxins, and can be toxic and dangerous to humans
and animals. Several cases of human poisoning have been documented on the global
level.

Level of Impact

Interviews with dive operators, guesthouse owners, small hotel operators, as
well as several repeat visitors who are familiar with southwest Tobago indicate their
concern for personal safety and of the health of their families, especially the young and
the elderly. There have been complaints of boils, swellings and skin rashes, treatment
of which have been confirmed by two general practitioners.
If the bacteria persists, the marine life in the area will be impacted by eutrophi-
cation. This is an increase in the concentration of nutrient content to an extent that
increases the primary productivity of the water body.
In other terms, it is the "bloom" or great increase of phytoplankton in a water
body. Negative environmental effects include particularly anoxia, or loss of oxygen in
the water with severe reductions in fish and other animal populations. Other species


(such as jellyfish- an increase in and the presence of
Portuguese Man-o-War jelly fish seen at Grange Bay
due to a change of winds to North Easterly over a 2
day period in the 2nd week August- Visitors a locals
were seriously impacted) may experience an in-
crease in population that negatively affects other
species in the local ecosystem.
This cyanobacteria is toxic to fish and subse-
quently Humans. This will impact the fishing industry
and the tourism and restaurant industries and is a
matter of concern- the Bon Accord Lagoon and Cyanobacteria
mangroves being large nurseries for pelagic fish.

Probable causes (anecdotal)

The reports of skin infections, rashes and ear infections at Mt Irvine Bay has
been documented and can be verified in the present term by several people who
have had treatment subsequent to bathing there.
The lack of similar numbers in the Buccoo Bay/Bon Accord area may be at-
tributed to bathers less prone to infections since fishermen and acclimatized locals
tend to have less broken skins from mosquito bites and sandflies. Also less people
sea-bathe on a regular basis in the waters of Buccoo/Bon Accord Lagoon. No ques-
tions about infections were asked of bathers in the Pigeon Point area.
That there was a sustained algal bloom this year (2010 may prove to be the
hottest year on record. Water temperatures on the COVE reef were recorded in the
second week of August at 31C), may have contributed to the problem on such a
scale.
It seems cyanobacteria has found a suitable environment for sustained life.
“ To many people t hes e t all pe aks mak e for a challe ngi ng but sce nic hike. B ut t hey are not j ust anot her t all mount ai n to clim b. ”
The area was already under stress - Tobago SW suffers from nutrient enrichment
due to growing populations wastewater, malfunctioning sewerage plants
(It was reported in the first week of August, that the Mt. Pleasant Credit Un-
ion sewage plant- which also takes effluent from Coco Reef Hotel and Store Bay
Beach facilities was malfunctioning- outflow pipes had been opened into drains at the
corner of Anthony and Alfred Crescents, raw sewage had been flowing into these
drains for 2 months- this has subsequently been repaired), open sewage lines cesspit/
blackwater runoff and environmental hazards such as vehicle / highway / agricultural
pollutants.

Probable solutions

In the short term;
• Close beaches for bathing
• Close on rainy days
• Sample three times daily, test same (WASA and Division of Health to do this moni-
toring and make results available to the public)
• Open beaches for limited periods – when water testing shows that this can be
done.
• Offer free medical support to those affected

In the long term:


• Use GIS mapping being done by Coral Cay Conservation/ Environment Tobago to fa-
cilitate visual signs of the presence of the bacteria in Tobago waters and on the reefs.
This will point to affected areas and will aid in identifying causes).
• Institute the National Action Plan
• Expedite an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan.

Of Note and Concern

The proposed WASA sewage system will place an outfall pipe in 30M of water
on the SW near Flying Reef. It will disperse nutrient which at certain times of the year
can detrimentally enrich the shallow waters off the Kilgywn Coast/Canoe Bay/Lambeau.
It is of note and concern that cyanobacteria and other problems that affect the natural
environment (which includes people) will proliferate on the Tobago SE coast also.
The Courland Bay already suffers from severe enrichment due to the hotel
laundry and the Plymouth Village runoff. The drainage from the baths and the pools at
YMCA will add to the problem to the point the entire south coast may prove unsafe to
the sea-bather. All such facilities need monitoring (See EMA Water Pollution Rules

Biodiversity, Extinction, and the Natural Heritage of the Island
of Tobago—Mr. J. David Hardy presents forty years of work on the threat-
ened biological heritage of Tobago

On July 15th July Mr. J. David Hardy gave a one-hour presentation on the biodi-
versity of Tobago. This lecture was held at Mt. Irvine Bay Hotel Environment Tobago and
The Tobago House of Assembly’s Department of
Education.
A resident of the United States, Mr. Hardy
(known locally as ‘Snake-Man’) has been a regular
visitor to Tobago since the early 1960’s. His life’s
work has been to inventory the biological riches
of Tobago. This work has culminated in an anno-
tated list of the biota of Tobago, as well as an in-
valuable library and biography of 7500 references
on the natural history of Tobago. Mr. Hardy is mak-
ing a special trip to the island to share his knowl- Orville London -Chief Secr. THA offers
edge of, and words of thanks for Hardy's presentation
passion for
Tobago and its rich natural heritage.
“Tobago has a high level of endemism” says Mr.
Hardy. Endemic species are animals and plants that
are found in only one area or island. “There are
rare endemic species, like the white-tailed sabre
winged hummingbird, and common ones, such as
the cocrico. These endemic species make Tobago a
special place for biodiversity”.
Dave Hardy about Tobago endemism and
biotic uniqueness


ECOLOGY NOTES

What are Supernormal Stimuli?
Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal
Dept of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies

Supernormal stimulus or superstimulus is an exaggerated form of stimulus
which gets a stronger response than if a stimulus of a normal type was used. In order
to get such a response organisms have developed certain mechanisms which include
larger than normal appendages and colourful markings.
However, this concept is best explained using examples. The fiddler crab is one
such organism that utilises supernormal stimulus where the males have one normal
claw and while the other can be 2 to 3 times larger. This large claw is used as a shield
when battling other males to be selected by females for mating. Also, besides acting as
an effective shield, females also rate the health of the male according to the size of the
claw. So the larger the claw the healthier the male because he would have to be capa-
ble of getting enough food to support a large body and carry the weight of this claw.
Also he would have to have a good immune system and a good fighter to ward off
other males and predators to survive so long to get a claw that size.
But, there is a disadvantage to having such a large claw. For one thing it weighs
a lot and to a small animal like a crab it slows it down when it is retreating from preda-
tors. It also makes it easier for predators to spot it.
Supernormal stimuli are not only employed in order to attract mates, but also
as a form of parasitism by some bird species. Here the parasite species lays its egg
among that of the host species. The parasite egg is usually much larger than the host’s
egg. Again here size is taken as an indication of the health of the chick inside. When it
hatches, the host parent birds feed it more as it is larger therefore it will stand a better

chance than the other offspring of surviving, reproducing and carrying on what they
think is “their” genetic lineage.
Therefore we can see that this evolutionary tactic like others has both advan-
tages and disadvantages.

ARTICLES

Telling it as it is. Derive results by giving results
Bertrand Bhikarry
Environment TOBAGO

It's arguable that since mankind started living in groups, there has always been a
class of scientists, as there were public speakers, or communicators. It is increasingly
interesting to consider which group made the bigger impact on the paths civilization
chose over the last thousand years. Smart money says the talkers make the difference.
every time.
It's not a trivial consideration, especially if the eventual goal is to change the
norms of a culture. As is the task the environmental lobby worldwide faces daily. It's
obvious that the naturalists have not made the big a dent in the collective conscious-


ness that's needed. Evidence of profligate lifestyles in most countries point to that sad
fact.
Our own country, Trinidad and Tobago offers no more comfort, even if the
national literacy rate averages over eighty percent. People simply aren't getting the
message that their failure to preserve the ecological balance of our natural environ-
ment will be detrimental in the extreme to one of the most valued forms of life - our
own flesh and blood, human families.
It's time for the talkers to come out and do their thing. The scientists have al-
ready done theirs - who in the academic community isn't aware of the vast amount of
studies done in our coastal waters, in our reefs, throughout our forests, and among the
agricultural sectors? Sustainable development? Reduce, Reuse, Recycle? All old hat, all
stale news among that enclave. Yet it would be remarkable indeed if the messages
were to take hold in the wider population. Yet there could be hope. As the urgency of
the situation grows (among the aware), messaging solutions are taking shape. The ubiq-
uitous survey is one of these tools.
However, amazingly, among the environmental research community, the ran-
dom survey is not always immediately recognized as an actual educational or opinion-
shaping tool. Those piles of questions, as useful as they can be to prove and confirm
some project objective, are also key to creating public awareness and appreciation
about the resource in question. It can be pivotal at showing relevance to the local
situation. It also substantiates the intuitive cries from the heart emanating from the old
tree-hugger groups, as some questions are posed for the emotional take.
Politicians and their spin doctors know how to use surveys to their advantage;
as we've seen from the media blitzes attendant to election campaigns in the last few
decades. The ecologist, typically coming out of the science community, may not be as
adept in using a survey’s results beyond its singular purpose, but only maybe because
he sees no importance to report to anyone other than his funders. So if by observa-
tion, politicians accept their prime target as Joe Public, and always report, if at times
selectively, to them; then it's time for the scientists to zero in to that same public via
direct communication, even if it's 'only' survey results, and in a timely manner.
Can it really be that simple? For instance, is it only a matter of getting the com-
munity interested in results of the thirty odd research projects which passed through
the Buccoo Reef in as many years, to effect their 'buy-in'? Will the reef-boat operators,
the fishermen, and the Tobago housewives treat Buccoo as a delicate and living organ-
ism such as the scientists have come to know it? Will the acquisition of similar knowl-
edge impact positively elsewhere in our country if the Learned Ones deign to share
what they are gifted when they survey the communities during their work?
It could be so, as mentioned earlier. Time (and comparison of active member-
ship and participation) between faith to science-based charities, has shown the great
impact a gifted communicator may achieve. Sharing their knowledge taken from the
common man has potential for scientists to achieve project goals and create working
partnerships.


The Ubiquitous Plastic Bag
Environment Tobago

Perhaps one of the longest lasting fashion crazes to surface during the last
century is the plastic bag; appearing in all shapes and sizes, colours and designs, the
plastic bag is by far the most owned and sought after product to hit the market. Or at
least it was.
In 2001 the United States Environmental Protection Agency estimated that
between 500 billion and a trillion plastic bags were consumed across the world annu-
ally. (John Roach, 2003). Of this grand total, over 100 billion beautiful bags were
thrown away by American citizens and approximately 0.6% of all bags produced were
recycled. (World Watch Institute, 2008). Perhaps the most eloquent of descriptions
to illustrate the plastic bags’ presence came from a 2003 National Geographic article:

They sit balled up and stuffed into the one that hangs from the pantry door. They
line bathroom trash bins. They carry clothes to the gym. They clutter landfills. They flap from
“Plastic bags are
trees. They float in the breeze. They clog roadside drains. They drift on the high seas. They
the product of
fill sea turtle bellies. (John Roach, 2003).
intense chemical/
heat manipula-
So yes, the plastic bags were and are (in many countries) everywhere, but
tion and treat-
what exactly is a plastic bag?
ment – and be-
Plastic bags are the product of intense chemical/heat manipulation and treat-
lieve it or not,
ment – and believe it or not, start their existence as basic fossil fuels; crude oil, natu-
start their exis-
ral gas or petrochemicals. So when we become vexed at the state of the large corpo-
tence as basic
rations’ reliance upon and their exploitation of oil and gas, we are bypassing the no-
fossil fuels; crude
tion that much of what we use on a day-to-day basis derives from this source too.
oil, natural gas or
In short, the production of plastic bags produces a multifaceted problem: our
petrochemicals. “
gross demand and consumption equates to extensive exhausting of already depleting
resources; the production process also emits hazardous pollutants into the environ-
ment. Polyethylene’s standard form does not biodegrade, so even IF the bags reach
landfill they don’t break down without further chemical influence; and finally due to
their light weight, they are susceptible to uncontrollable travelling – which is most
visible in our trees, drainage systems and oceans.
So what? For one, the Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) – the magnifi-
cent prehistoric creature that frequent our beaches here in Tobago to lay their eggs
annually, are dying from congesting our plastic bags. These creatures can consume
twice their body weight (up to 1800kg) in Jellyfish every day but plastic bags floating in
the ocean are often mistaken for jellies. The Leatherbacks have an amazing capability
to “keep warm in cold water, dive over 1000 meters below sea level, travel thousands of
miles and gulp down a Portuguese man-of-war but is threatened by the inert plastic shopping
bag”. (Mrosovky. N, 1987; Cited by Earth Resource, 2004).
Therefore to move forward from our seeming ‘plastic addiction’, what is to
be our rehabilitation recourse? If we are to follow by example, the most achievable
solutions should fall in the form of taxation, eradication and in providing/ offering al-
ternative products:
In the past ten years initial efforts to achieve this have proved successful glob-
ally: In Bangladesh and Bombay, plastic bags were banned following the realisation that
they were the ‘main culprit during the 1988 and 1998 floods that submerged two-
thirds of the country’. (The BBC, 2002; Cited by John Roach, 2003). In Ireland, the


introduction of taxes at supermarkets of 15cents per bag resulted in a 90% drop in
plastic bag use in the first year. (The BBC, 2002; Cited by John Roach, 2003). And
now, close to seven years on, supermarket taxations continue to exist, promoting the
individual to adopt a heightened sense of ownership and awareness when it comes to
their nonchalant usage- more than anything charging individuals creates an impact as it
now ‘directly affects’ them.
In addition to these financial charges, we have seen the introduction and esca-
lating use of reusable shoppers. The reusable, which was once perceived to be the bag
of the hippy, is now all the rage across much of Europe, South East Asia and America:
Made of cotton, jute, canvas or recycled plastics, the bags are more durable and thus
have a much longer life than the average plastic bag. Though in Tobago, these bags are
seemingly few and far between, with the majority of reusable shoppers being brought
over by expats. This however is about to change.
At present Environment Tobago, the THA Department of Marketing and Mor-
shead grocery have all had produced their own reusable bags for public purchase and
use. So get GREEN- by a reusable bag today; finally you’ll be able to reduce how many
bags you have to lug back from the supermarket; and carry a bag that won’t break with
more than four items inside; most importantly, you’ll be helping to reduce further un-
necessary impact to our environment.

Rare Corals- Discovery- Man-o-War Bay
Stuart Sampson

For Identification purposes I originally contacted Paul Humann of the fish/coral
ID books who could not identify them, he then put me onto Dr Cairnes at the Smith-
sonian who also was unable to recognise them. In turn Dr Cairnes put me onto Prof.
Sanchez who said he also saw them when diving in Tobago in 2009.
What I can do is confirm they are NOT
invasive species, they are found only in Tobago
waters and more specifically ONLY in the North
East Tobago between Sisters and London Bridge.
Most abundantly around the outer edges of the
Man o war bay area In particular, and great abun-
dance at a site called Magnificent (where I believe
only I dive) They habit north facing sheltered walls
and drop offs between 70 and 120 feet.
There are two kinds, one I have called
The Crimson Crown which I first noticed and
photographed in October 2006 at Sisters, the Habitat of Crimson Crown and
other I call the Charlotteville Spray, which seems Charlotteville Sea Spray
to be an orange variant of a black spray common
to Tobago waters, it looks very similar to the golden sea spray found in the north west
Caribbean and inhabits a similar depth etc. but is thicker than the golden sea spray and
that is not found in the northern Caribbean region. Most likely this is a new variation of
a species.


Crimson Crown

Crimson Crown in natural light

Charlotteville Sea Spray
Close up of Crimson Crown


Tobago megawatershed structure explained
Bertrand Bhikkary
Environment TOBAGO

It was at the Cayman Islands hosted Caribbean Water and Wastewater Asso-
ciation's 10th Annual conference that Robert Bisson made his definitive presentation
on 'Megawatersheds Groundwater Assessment and Recharge Calibration on the Is-
land of Tobago'. The date was October 2001, and the Caribbean was still in the dark
ages where water retrieval technology was concerned.
The events leading to the watershed disclosure in the Caymans had its origins
in the African Rift where the first multi-basin aquifer systems were discovered and
reported around the early 1980's. In the decade before, the geologic feature, that is
fractured bedrock aquifers and aquifer systems, had just become formally acknowl-
edged as sustainable, perennial, and economically feasible groundwater sources.
Geologic features such as the African mega watersheds were considered by
groundwater investigators as the type of 'new' find which only modern methods could
reveal. It was a challenge faced by other resource prospectors. For example, before
1970, the known petroleum fields were limited to what could be shown by conven-
tional hydrological modelling and investigative techniques. Affordable satellite imagery,


computer modelling based on GIS data, and other modern tools changed the face of
the entire mining industry as the millennium approached.
After 1980, the use of a multi-variant, matrix approach for preliminary assess-
ment was applied to the process used by water detection crews, with a similar result
for the fresh water industry. It turned out the old methods for 'truthing' had caused
the misclassification of the subterranean formations. The results they had generated,
ultimately created the unnecessary shortage for the Africans of the Rift, and similarly
failed to prove adequate groundwater potential in Trinidad and Tobago.
In 1997 Robert Bisson and his team from Earthwater Technology adapted a “Geologic fea-
highly modified approach to gauging preliminary assessments for groundwater availabil- tures such as the
ity in a pilot project in Tobago. He drew heavily on the work of a USAID sponsored African mega wa-
program done in Somalia, where all new factors in the emerging science were added to tersheds were
conventional water finding techniques. For all intents and purposes, they combined the considered by
old knowledge with the new tools and they went looking for fault lines, fractures, and groundwater in-
potential places where water might lie adjacent to previous sources. vestigators as the
The Tobago fault line running roughly along the Tobago Main Ridge from a cen- type of 'new' find
tral point near Moriah, going on past Speyside and outwards under the seafloor to the which only mod-
north. The Fault itself has seven intersects or fractures. These are depicted by the ern methods
black lines. It is along the Fault and its fractures that water derived from rainfall runoff could reveal. “
collect in huge saturated subterranean basins, or mega watersheds.
By the year 2002 the government of Trinidad and Tobago had solid evidence of
the existence of a mega watershed in Tobago at least, with a proven capability to de-
liver a sustained 200 million gallons per day of fresh groundwater from hitherto un-
known sources. Earthwater Technology Inc. actually went home and in the following
year (2003), used the data they had compiled about Caribbean geology to estimate a
'build-out' potential for unmapped and untapped water. The ETI models assert that the
Caribbean islands can produce in excess of 2,000 million gallons of water per day from
the fractured bedrock systems and mega watersheds.
It's important to keep in mind the chronology of events especially in the case of
Trinidad and Tobago. In view of its projected water needs, the TT government at the
time had started looking at the alternatives to rain fed water supplies, specifically de-
salination plants. The eventual path taken for harnessing supplementary water was not
to be the optimization of groundwater. Instead using the state agency WASA, they
went for a Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) desalinization plant.

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DAVID ROOKS. Part 2. Life in Tobago.
Edited by Christopher K. Starr and Jo‑Anne N. Sewlal
Dept of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies

[We conclude here David Rooks's autobiographical essay, based on an interview con-
ducted at Talparo, Trinidad on 30 December 2009. At the end of Part 1, David had re-
tired from business in Trinidad and moved to Tobago.]

One of the things I miss in Tobago is the regular routine of the Field Naturalists'
Club to which I had become accustomed in Trinidad. When I moved to Tobago in 1985
some naturalists thought I should start one. I rang the president of the Club and asked
that it be discussed at a monthly meeting, with the view that I would found a branch in


Tobago if the Club approved. The Club thought it was a good idea, and and I became
the founding branch president.
However, once we were organised and meeting regularly, we found that no one
else was doing anything for conservation or preservation of the environment. That came
to occupy our time, and eventually we decided that we had to take a separate position.
We were taking all our time for that and not paying attention to being the branch of the
Club. So we called a meeting of the people that were interested in conservation and
formed Environment Tobago (ET).
For a time ET existed parallel to the Tobago branch of the Club, but eventually
we just did not have time for both, so the Club lapsed in Tobago.
In the years between the move to Tobago and the beginning of the Tobago
branch of the Club, I became a tour operator. At first people found out about me and
came to ask me to take them to see specific things or on a hike through the forest. In
time, that led me to make a business of it. It did very well until the tourism fell with the
second recession around 2005. Then the Tobago tourist situation became dire, as it
continues today. We had a meeting with all the foreign agents of Tobago a month or
two ago, and they don't paint a rosy picture for the future. Tobago has got a reputation
“If there is any now as a crime destination, and since the close‑down of the Hilton the airlines are stat-
future for tourism ing that there are not enough rooms to make Tobago an attractive one‑shot destination.
They are at present negotiating with the government for concessions to make it worth-
in Tobago it has
while bringing tourists to Tobago, otherwise they will shut down the Tobago routes. If
to be away from
that happens, the situation will become impossible, as visitors will have to come to Trini-
sending tourists dad first and then find their way to Tobago. I don't know how seriously the government
on the beach to- is taking their warnings. The West Indies in general have a bad name, except for Cuba
ward natural his- and to a certain extent the Dominican Republic
tory. “ Hilton‑style tourism development is of course not the only kind, but at present
it is the only economically viable kind? There are people building cabana‑style develop-
ments, which will attract some tourism, but the airlines like to think that they can take an
aircraft with 300 people to Tobago, and 295 will get off in Tobago. The present reality is
that 295 land in Barbados or Cuba or Antigua, and only the last few continue to Tobago,
so the airlines don't find it economical.
If there is any future for tourism in Tobago it has to be away from sending tour-
ists on the beach toward natural history. People are concerned about the planet and
what is being done to protect it. That is the area where there is some hope. Tobago
has much to offer, such as the oldest legally protected rain forest on the planet, good
coral reefs and 210 birds. Unfortunately, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) doesn't
seem much interested in orientating tourists towards natural history.
At the peak of my tour‑guiding activity, I had a tour every week and occasionally
as many as three or four in a week. Now there are fewer visitors, so I'm lucky to get
more than one a month. In addition, tours are much smaller now. I am taking two sci-
entists to look for centipedes next month, but that's all I have definitely booked for the
month.
The visitors who engage me as a guide are middle‑class nature lovers who want
to see more conservation around the world and are very much interested in what To-
bago naturally has to offer. One family is a good example. They came on their honey-
moon. They came back and brought their first children when they were old enough to
understand, and last year they brought their grandchildren to go out with me.
There is some scope for harnessing the opinions of these visitors for conserva-
tion politics, but you have to have numbers. You can make some impact if you get some
visitors to write the THA and say how disappointed they were to see this or that hap-
pening, and they hope Tobago would realise what a gift they have and do all they can to
preserve it. Tobago is a gift to mankind. It has too much original about it not to be so.
You can see a variety of land and marine environments, many birds, and much else.


You can even get very close to the red‑billed tropicbirds to see them on the nest,
one of the most beautiful birds in the world. And we have others, like the blue‑backed
manakins. I have shown my visitors their courtship dancing, up close.
I would have to rate the public awareness of environmental questions in Tobago as
extremely low. I used to write a series of popular articles on Tobago natural history for
the Tobago News. One of the few comments I can remember from the public came af-
ter I wrote that there were 24 species of snakes and none were poisonous. The com-
ment was "That Rooks think he know too much. He saying none of the poisonous
snakes in Tobago, but what about the coral snakes?"
I also got some good compliments. I was passing by a house, and a Rastaman ran
out and asked "You is Rooks?" I said that I was, and he hugged me up and kissed me and
said "Keep writing. I does wait for my Tobago News to read your article."
I get a lot of people asking my opinion, and I want to start writing again. I think I
have a lot to tell the public, because I have experience with nature from both the hunting I also got some
side to the conservation side. And like that man making a remark that I think I know too good compli-
much, that I say “Tobago has no poisonous snakes,” which is a lot of bunk. ments. I was
At a time when agriculture was in decline, the government was receiving a lot of passing by a
requests for shotguns licenses in Tobago, supposedly to protect crops. A researcher from house, and a
the United Nations investigated and concluded 99% of these requests for licences were for Rastaman ran out
hunting, not to protect agriculture. They were using the excuse that they wanted to shoot and asked "You is
parrots that were destroying their cocoa at a time when cocoa was almost closed down. Rooks?" I said
The researcher strongly recommended issuing no more shotgun licenses. that I was, and he
There is room for public argument to stop hunting in Tobago, but it would be very hugged me up
hard politically. Many people tell me privately that it should be stopped. It has been rec- and kissed me
ommended that Tobago become a game reserve, land and marine. There are sanctuaries and said "Keep
in Tobago at present, but there is no one to police them. Among the marine sanctuaries, writing. I does
Buccoo Reef is being badly abused. And there is always hunting going on in the rain forest wait for my To-
reserve. No one tells them it is a sanctuary, and even during the closed season I hear dogs bago News to
when I take tours there. Being an old hunter, I know what those dogs are doing. In To- read your arti-
bago a lot of traps are also used. You see them walking with traps at the side of the road cle."
in the closed season, quite unconcerned, and no one asks them.
On rare occasions I meet people coming out of the forest with guns, and they are
very friendly, not worried that I might be a game warden, as I was. I volunteered as a game
warden, but after a year I realised it was a waste of time. If I am guiding tourists in the for-
ests and see people come out from hunting what do I do? Take out my hand cuffs and put
it on them? Besides, the police are not interested.
If there was full public information, I believe it would demonstrate that Tobago-
nians would benefit more economically from ecotourism than they presently do from
hunting. An analysis of the Caroni Swamp in Trinidad many years ago came to just such a
conclusion and resulted in the present sanctuary. I would encourage a university-level re-
search project on the feasibility of making all of Tobago a wildlife sanctuary.
I would say that the fraction of people who are consciousness of environmental
issues is much the same in Tobago and Trinidad. The difference is that Tobagonians will
not go out and demonstrate against the government, not even if the government is burning
down their house. In Trinidad I see them demonstrating for different things, especially
around the proposed aluminum smelter. I am glad to see these protests, because the
smelter is the worst thing they could allow. It has been proved to be very detrimental in
other countries, which is why those countries won't hear of allowing aluminum smelters,
so they come to Trinidad. It's a very dangerous type of manufacture. And even after the
manufacturing process is finished there is the problem of getting rid of the waste is a prob-
lem. You can't get rid of it here without poisoning the country, and other countries won't
take it.
I have little involvement with ET at the present time, for health reasons. The
stress of organising things affects me, so I'm taking a rest. As a result, I'm not up to date


on ET affairs, but the size of the membership is healthy, some hundreds. However, I don't
find enough members active, and I don't find that we take advantage of the interested for-
eigners as much as we could. I think more writings in foreign natural-history magazines
would serve a useful purpose. I have written for a few.
I have also been writing a book about saving the Earth from human‑made de-
struction. My nephew, Edward Rooks, was a member of the club. He is now an artist
based in the USA and also works as a guide for a big tour company in California. He told
me that in Antarctica the de‑icing is so fast that where he used to take tourists to walk on
ice is now sand, And he says the Great Barrier Reef of Australia is about 1/3 white, it's
bleached. The same thing is happening all over the Caribbean. I subscribe to Scientific
American, which has occasional articles on climate change, and the one this month will
be different to the one next month. One scientist tells me climate change has hap-
pened many times in the geological history of the world, and it will continue for the
next 20 or 50 years and then go to an ice age, so everybody will be talking about it be-
ing too bloody cold. He doesn't seem to share the present excitement about climate
change. We have to cut down on some of the manufacturing that we are doing, but he
says it is not mankind alone that is causing climate change its natural to the environ-
ment and the plan,
“I believe it would On a much more local scale, there are several environmental questions that face
demonstrate that Tobago today. Hunting is definitely one of them. Garbage disposal is another, as it is not
Tobagonians being done in a proper scientific manner. Instead of the garbage degrading, it is becoming
would benefit a garbage mountain. The breakdown products that flow out of it poison the rivers. And
the people who live near the garbage dump complain about illnesses, which arise from
more economi-
gases that they inhale. So, we must have a more scientific approach to garbage disposal in
cally from ecot- Tobago. A more serious attitude is needed.
ourism than they They promised to put in a sewage-disposal system many years and ago, but the
presently do from THA decided it was too expensive. Only one of the proposed plants was ever built and is
hunting. “ still in operation near Scarborough, but the rest of Tobago is relatively untreated.
One area where ET has been active but could be even more so is education, both
in schools and in the general public. I would definitely recommend more articles in
environment‑related magazines abroad and locally. We do not have nearly enough public
education of the environment, how important it is to mankind and what we can do easily
to preserve it and what we can do with our tax money. ET is doing work with the
schools, but what about when the children leave school? We need to be more active in
the society as a whole.
ET has avoided all party alliances and must continue to do so. Those have proven
in the past to be a trap. However, it is definitely acceptable, even recommended, to work
with other NGOs. We have had some initiatives in that direction in the past, but I don't
see any at present. And the churches has potential. The churches sometimes tell their
parishioners to have a good harvest festival and make sure you serve some good wildmeat
to attract the people. They obviously say it in good intention, but the people do not un-
derstand the necessity of conservation. There is no reason not to include that message in
their preaching.
I've been involved in natural history from childhood. It never gave me anything
but pleasure, even when I learnt that I should not be keeping wild animals in cages. It is a
treasure that is given to each country that you did nothing to create. That plant right
there is our national flower, the chaconia. And I just saw a Turkey Vulture go past as we
were talking here. They clean up the environment, and they are very interesting to watch.
If you find a corbeau nest in the forest I guarantee you will run like hell, because you know
what they are feeding on immediately. And the nestlings have a defense method that is
very effective. They shoot vomit at you.
So I think that conservation should be of prime importance in the plan for us to
enjoy the benefit of what we were given.

Environment TOBAGO newsletter Page 16

Traffic on the Courland greens
Bertrand Bhikarry
Environment TOBAGO

People are strange. The more access they have to something, the less they ap-
preciate it. This is a pattern of behaviour with which numerous social scientists, house-
wives, and most individuals would agree exists. However the condition goes past our
human relationships. It's apparent in the way we treat with nature. The little wood
near the beach at Courland Bay is under heavy threat by vehicular traffic
As our generation works toward the elusive goals of progress, we need to
bear in mind we are travelling a road already taken, indeed one already questioned by
others. The negatives are in evidence daily as we witness the First World tasting the
bitter fruit of improper development. Daily in the news, we read of their punishments,
suffered many times due to the lack of respect for nature. We note with regret as
some pay the ultimate price for not being more in tune with the patterns for living in
harmony with Earth.
We are lucky here, there's no doubting that as a semi-rural people we are still “Courland Bay
not quite divorced from the pull of nature. Most adults among us can attest to knowing and the sur-
something drawn from a personal experience. While in conversation about it, we can rounding wood is
visualize the emerald shades of Buccoo Reef. During travel we boast about the rainfor- one of the few
est with strong proprietary feelings, and among family we speak in hushed tones about relatively un-
adverse weather as memories of the named storms flash past. modified parts of
In drawing upon experiences gained by interaction with those aspects of na- Tobago, bar the
ture, we are wise; that is if wisdom can be defined as the ability to be in tune, in touch legally protected
with what matters most. So are we really using our knowledge? One way to tell is to forests of the
look around us. Seeing the damage we casually inflict on them, it seems the islands Main Ridge. “
trees are more of a humbug to us, a bothersome threat in the face of increasingly ad-
verse weather, and a source of irritating bugs for those who pass through wooded ar-
eas. In destroying them we use the excuse of 'progress' to take a step backward - in
spite of the bad news from elsewhere.
In late May of this year, a sporting event
was held in the Plymouth area, with the
base of operations set alongside the
tranquil Turtle beach. It should have
been held elsewhere. Why not at Pigeon
Point Heritage Park? That is a suitable
location for family days, sports, weddings
and much more. The well known loca-
tion was bought for public use, has the
built facilities, and needs the return on
the investment to pay for the staff load
Vegetation has given way to tire tracks there.
On the other hand, Courland Bay and
the surrounding wood is one of the few
relatively unmodified parts of Tobago, bar the legally protected forests of the Main
Ridge. It's beautiful, it's convenient for island residents to enjoy a quick communion
with nature, and it's about to be destroyed by vehicular traffic. Already weekend users
trample the roots and the undergrowth with their cars and the wildlife is threatened
with noise pollution from the music systems.
Traffic on the greens of the Courland should be limited to those who walk in


only. Not even bikers should ride while in there, lest they threaten the well-being of
kids, toddlers getting the chance of tuning in to their environment at an early stage, or
lovers speaking soft words. Presently the area is still salvageable for posterity - yet it
can be in constant use as a nature park.
The benefits to the cause are many, if
benign. We speak daily of the ravages of
a growing crime rate, yet we attach little
significance to the need for families to
spend time together in a setting condu-
cive to maintaining social ties. Parks as
public spaces are good in this regard,
since the benefits of festivals like the
Carnival may not serve the same pur-
pose.
Courland Nature Park. It's a fine sound-
ing name, and it needs no funding be-
yond what has already been spent by
the Tobago House of Assembly in pur-
Sparse vegetation at the small woodland near chasing the estate. Community involve-
Courland Bay beach ment can do the little things needed.
Leave out the construction of the 'public
facilities' - it's a short drive to many such
amenities in the area. Leave out the car parking facilities, as the nearby public swimming
pool is sure to include ample parking.
The tree-huggers use the term 'environmental ethics'. It aptly describes the needed
keystone approach for Tobago's development in these days. It is not a bad thing to
have less, as it affects our relationship with nature. The difficulty is being strong enough
to withstand the pressure of new and outside influences. While the main example of
this piece centres around a triathlon and all its hoopla, soon there will be more attrac-
tions of similar description and with destructive potential. They need to be diligently
evaluated.
Already last year, there was a high speed car rally in the Courland estate which
was justified by the House of Assembly as enabling farm roads to the area. The fact
that the existing cart roads of invaluable historical importance were bulldozed was not
factored in the cost. The supposition is that seventy or so motor sport enthusiasts and
their families would create a fillip to the tourism thrust. Something's wrong with the
formula. Are we 'clean, green and serene', or are we suckers for any idea proposed by
outside interests?
Arguments abound for the need to create attractions for tourism, the islands
bread and butter. These actually already exist, as any onlooker would agree. We just
need remain in full appreciation, not take them for granted, nor attempt to recreate
the ill-fated man-made version. Let us learn from the mistakes of others. As it relates
to the Courland Nature Park, keeping to the 'wise' course, the one most in touch with
nature's way, will almost certainly see the people of this island taking Mother Nature's
tantrums in stride when she demands her share of attention. We are a country folk
and we should be proud of it. In the meantime let us show the appreciation we have
for a natural Tobago. She doesn't need us. We need her.

ET News December 2010

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