Wild Tobago

Research and study are intrinsic to current ecotourism trends; is Tobago ready? The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere designation for Tobago’s Northeast region presents an opportunity for all of Trinidad and Tobago to be forward thinking. Pat Ganase reports on the first steps. What’s in it for me? Is this indeed the response of most Tobagonians when they are told that Northeast Tobago has been designated by UNESCO a Man and the Biosphere (MAB) region, a learning site in nature where research and science and innovation might result in nature-based solutions to improve human lives? Aljoscha Wothke, key technical expert on the Government’s application to the UNESCO MAB governors, believes, “Tobago is beginning to understand. This is the best tool currently available for economic development. There are many international organisations looking at Northeast Tobago. I am very excited for the next steps which include management plans, all aspects of training including g...

Small efforts in coral reef research and management taking place in Tobago give Shivonne M. Peters hope. Is it possible to combine conservation and research-based tourism for Tobago, she asks. Peters is Managing Director of Seven Environmental- a consultancy company for the marine sector – and a PhD candidate at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. Contact her at sevenenvironmental@hotmail.com Coral reefs in Tobago cover an area of about thirty square kilometres, and are found on both the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean coasts. In fact, several dive sites in the Columbus Passage (Flying and Cove Reefs, Diver’s Thirst and Diver’s Dream) are rated as some of the best drift dive sites in the Caribbean. While importance to the ecosystem services they provide - shoreline protection, fish nurseries and erosion regulation - cannot be understated, the significance to research-based tourism industry is a compelling developing sector. This habitat for organisms from megafauna (sharks...