For the Future of Buccoo Reef
Dr Shivonne Peters- McPherson proposes Marine Spatial Planning techniques and programmes for all coastal and oceanic areas around Trinidad and Tobago Our twin-island nation Trinidad and Tobago is considered a small island developing state (SIDS) whose future will surely rest heavily on development of its blue economy. Trinidad’s aspiration is supported by a long history in the oil and gas industry, while Tobago’s economy has been tourism-based. Scientific advancements in the blue economy sectors, such as blue biotechnology and ocean energy are making changes across the globe, but to date have to be fully understood and explored in Trinidad and Tobago whose ocean territory is about 15 times its land. The potential for development and the benefits can be tremendous, even as we struggle to manage land-based pollution, unsustainable harvesting, habitat destruction and climate change. The development of the blue economy should facilitate the transition to renewa