Wild Tobago

The initiative to share the world of coral reefs with citizens and students of Trinidad and Tobago may have ended, but the quest for healthy oceans and the health of people continues. Dr Anjani Ganase reviews the International Year of the Reef TT and encourages us to continue “chasing coral.”  Awareness and Action 2018 was the International Year of the Reef (IYOR), a effort initiated by the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) to raise global awareness of the value of coral reef ecosystems. Trinidad and Tobago joined several countries around the world, as well as forty non-governmental and intergovernmental agencies, to learn about coral reefs and the threats they face, especially imminent climate change, and to engender action for coral reef conservation.  Throughout the year the IYORTT partnership grew significantly. It started with a core group of scientists who began discussions with other environmental groups and educational institutions. As the conversat...

Dr Anjani Ganase considers the lessons to be learned from the film documentary Chasing Coral. Screenings and discussion sessions are being organised by IYORTT (Trinidad and Tobago Initiative for International Year of the Reef) and secondary schools are encouraged to schedule a viewing. Chasing Coral allows us to follow the journeys of scientists, coral enthusiasts and filmmakers to record the devastating impacts of the third global coral bleaching event along the Great Barrier Reef. Chasing Coral documents the process of coral bleaching and extent of damage to the marine life that depend on these corals; and by extension the livelihoods sustained by this crucial ecosystem through coastal protection, food, income and recreation. Although much of the story is set in Australia, Chasing Coral tells of the dangers of losing coral reefs and the impacts on island nations, anywhere.  Here are a few questions that people have asked the IYORTT team about coral bleaching and climate ...