Meeting of Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Pre-COP), June 21-25, 2021

Long Term 6 year Strategy

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Presented by D. Banjoo

Mission and VisionMission To conduct and foster research and to provide advice for the sustainable management of the coastal and marine areas and resources of Trinidad and Tobago.

VisionTo be the Centre of Excellence for Marine Research in the Caribbean.

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Strategic plan 2019-2024

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MINISTER

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

DIRECTOR

DEPUTY DIRECTORRESEARCH

Biodiversity & EcologyFisheries & AquacultureEnvironmental Quality

Oceanography & Coastal Processes

Geomatics and GIS

Marine Governance

DEPUTY DIRECTORADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Human ResourcesFinance & Administration

Operations & SupportInformation and Communications Technology

Project Management

CORP SEC/LEGAL ADVISOR

INTERNALAUDIT

PROCUREMENT SUPERVISOR

Institute of Marine Affairs Organization Chart 2019-2024

Research Departments Biodiversity and Ecology Fisheries and Aquaculture Environmental Quality Oceanography and Coastal Processes Marine Policy and Governance Geomatics

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36 Research Staff out of 80 Total Staff8 PhD

14 MSc5 BSc

IMA’s Strategic plan 2019-2024Government’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda (Vision 2030) is the benchmark for policy priorities alignment.

Themes IV - Building Globally Competitive Businesses Themes V - Placing the Environment at the Centre of Social

and Economic Development

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Strategic plan 2019-2024STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR 2019 –2024

IMPROVED LONG TERM STAKEHOLDER VALUE THROUGH VISION 2030 ALIGNMENT

FOSTERING OF INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND LINKAGES TO INDUSTRY

GROWTH AND DIVERSITY OF RESEARCH FUNDING THROUGHGRANT FUNDING AND CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

OPERATIONAL COST REDUCTION AND OPTIMISATION OF RESOURCES TO ACHIEVE VALUE

STRENGTHENING OF EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT

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Strategic plan 2019-2024Organisational Strategic Objectives 60% of the Institute’s obligations to the RAC on a phased basis over a two-

year period. Development of RAC organisation structure and filling vacancies.Financial Strategic Objectives Grant funding to represents at least 60% of its research budget (10% in the

first two years, 20% by the third year and 40% by the end of the five year strategic period). Operational cost reduction by 15% through a value for money approach and optimising available resources.”

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The approach taken by RAC-IMA is based on short (1-2yrs, 20%), medium(2-4yrs,40%) and long-term (4-6 yrs, 60%) for implementation of the RAC-IMA strategy.

Challenges Reduced national revenues owing to the fall in global

hydrocarbon prices in recent years. 2018/19 budget allocation to IMA reduces by 40%. IMA’s costs have also been steadily increasing since 2013-

14. Freeze on hiring for new or vacant positions. Top priority of IMA is to access grant funding to finance

the research and optimise government subventions.

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Work of IMA as a RAC since 2002Support to Programme Coordination and Management- Hosting of Workshop and Training.- Support activities that promote the ratification and implementation of the LBS Protocol- Production of promotional DVD to LBS protocol.- Hosted Regional Workshop for the Launch of the Caribbean Platform for the Global Partnership on Nutrient Management

Land and Marine Based Sources of Pollution Management- Participation in Workshops and Training- Conducting monitoring and assessment. Submission of environmental data.- Support to the Regional Nutrient Pollution Reduction Strategy and Action Plan- Support to SOCAR development.- Support to STAC.- Support to Monitoring and Assessment working group and data sub-group.

Knowledge Management and Communications- Production of a public education and awareness DVD on the work of the CEP.- Production of article on CEP website on Ecosystem based management.- Design and development of GIS maps, infographics as well as promotional and awareness material about the LBS Protocol

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CLME+ EBM Project2018-2021

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Implementation of an Ecosystem- Based Management (EBM) approach for addressing the Impacts of Land-based Sources of Pollutants on Critical Coastal Habitats such as Mangrove Swamp in NBSLME (SSFA -70kUSD) .

Stakeholders consultation.

Mapping of agricultural areas and practices.

Training of farmers/demonstration site (fertilizer and pesticides reduction).

Baseline nutrient sampling, testing fish pesticides, heavy metals in crabs, bacteria in water and oysters.

Lessens learnt/recommendation for upscaling project.

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WCR- Regional Nutrient Pollution Reduction Strategy and Action Plan (WCR-RNPRSAP)

(SSFA -70k USD)

Coordination with UNEP CAR/RCU, RAC-CIMAB, Para University, LBS focal points/working group, for development of chapters/report.

Development of Chapters, 2,3 and 4 sub regional report (English and French countries).

Procurement of Consultants.

Preparation of questionnaires, sent to countries.

Review of documents and chapters.

National Projects conducted (Funding from the Govt. T&T)

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment of Hot Spot Areas in Trinidad (USD 10,000 per year).

Bacteriological water quality at popular recreational water-use areas in Trinidad(USD 10,000 per year).

Monitoring of coral reef and seagrass beds in Trinidad and Tobago (CARICOMP)(USD 20,000 per year).

Preparation of State of Marine Environmental Report (2020) for Trinidad and Tobago with DPSIR frame work (USD 12,000 per year).

Laboratory Accreditation for scope of nitrates /nitrites (USD 25,000 per year).

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Lion Fish App. (20kUSD)

Available for your mobile via Google Play and the App Store

Primarily Developed for Lion Fish sightings

For Environmental Reporting Oil spills, Chemical spills Fish kills, Algal blooms Generate maps on

environmental information on state of the environment

Developed by IMA and Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI)Use for Regional Reporting on Environmental Incidents

(Please download and use)

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Caribbean Sea Oil Spill MonitoringPossible project for mystery spills detection

Sentile 1 SAR imagery Landsat8 optical imagerySynthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Tower mounted

Majors spills in regions, 2019-Brazillian coast, 2017 and 2014- Trinidad.

2021, Oil spills detection by radar system. Project between IMA and MEEI in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T).

2021,Training facilitated by IOCaribe, a pilot program for T&T was organised. Training conducted by NOAA Satellite Analysis Branch on a variety of satellite platforms.

Possible pilot project to be expanded for the entire Caribbean region.

IAEA technical cooperation project RLA0063, “Using Nuclear Techniques for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation”.

Strengthening National Capacity to Assess Coastal and Marine Environment in T&T (Training and equipment).

Observatory for oceanic acidification, microplastic and coastal eutrophication established.

Capacities for monitoring the impact of HABs in coastal areas strengthened.

Capabilities to assess environmental pollution (Heavy Metals, POPs and Hydrocarbon) in the coastal zone and its impacts improved.

Updated monitoring programme on impact of HABs in coastal areas Received minor equipment costing over 37k Euros to be received in

September 2021.

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Expanded Role as a RAC Supervise and coordinate the implementation of specific project activities approved

by the Contracting Parties to the Cartagena Convention (“Contracting Parties”) in consultation with UNEP-CAR/RCU;

Assist, at the scientific and technical levels, with the coordination of the implementation of specific activities in support of the Convention and its Protocols;

Provide administrative input related to the implementation of project activities; Assist in the identification of institutions and experts required for programme

implementation and the development of arrangements and sub-contracts for project implementation with participating institutions or individuals;

Provide assistance to and advise UNEP-CAR/RCU on specific technical matters and programme development;

Provide technical assistance, training and research inputs to the sub-programmesof the CEP;

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Require Funding of 2Million USD YearlyFunding sources (USD) 2021-2022 2022-2023

TT GovernmentRecurrent Expenditure 5.2 5.4Capital 1.0 1.2

TT Green Funds(3 proposal)

1.5 1.6

External Sources(UNEP, GEF etc)3 projects

0.5 0.6

Total 8.2 8.8

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Required for the 40% deficit in Government allocation.

Proposed project activity/cost of RAC IMA for biennium 2021/2022

Theme/Component Activity Budget (USD)

Programme Coordination

Promote ratification of the LBS Protocol by Non-Contracting Parties.Targeted promotional material on the benefits of ratification for multiple audiences e.g. General Public, Private Sector.

Provide technical assistance and guidance to CPs for the implementation of the Cartagena Convention, Oil Spills and LBS Protocols. Guidance on sampling, monitoring and assessment for oil spills (by IMA RAC)

Evaluate the role of pollution prevention, control and reduction as part of ongoing efforts to develop ocean-based and blue economy approaches.

10,000

10,000

10,000

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Proposed project activity/cost of RAC IMA for biennium 2021/2022

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Theme/Component

Activity Budget (USD)

Land and Marine-Based Pollution

Develop Guidelines for classification of waters according to the LBS Protocol;

Classify recreational/receiving waters in selected countries (3 countries);

Establish regional criteria and standards for N and P loads in domestic and industrial wastewater discharges;

Regional Strategies and Action Plans (Nutrients) implemented at national level (3 countries);

Pilot national projects on pre-treatment of industrial discharges into domestic wastewater systems implemented (3 countries)

50,000

10,000

30,000

20,000

60,000

Proposed project activity/cost of RAC IMA for biennium 2021/2022

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Theme/Component

Activity Budget (USD)

Monitoring and Assessment

Develop technical Guidelines for classification of watershed and water bodies for good ecological status.

Quantify industrial discharges of N and P and other pollutants (3 countries);

Regional Workshop on Index of Coastal Eutrophication & Harmful Algal Blooms;

Regional Workshop on the identification and tracking of priority pollutants;

30,000

20,000

30,000

30,000

Knowledge Management

New pollution fact sheets, project briefs, PSAs and infographics developed for the AMEP Sub-Programme in English, Spanish and French;

Improve Communication and Outreach with LBS Focal Points Newsletter circulated quarterly on ICZM news (RAC IMA)

10,000

5,000

Thank You very muchLets Discuss

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