Wild Tobago

Dr Anjani Ganase, coral reef ecologist, shares her favourite Caribbean reef experiences   In 2013, I had the luxury of travelling to many destinations across the Caribbean as part of the global coral reef mapping project known as the Catlin Seaview Survey ( https://www.catlinseaviewsurvey.com/ ). During this time, we spent eight months diving in 13 countries in the Caribbean, including Bermuda in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Being able to view so many reefs – about 40 dive sites per country - in a short time, painted a picture of the incredible variety of reefs that the Caribbean had to offer. All are uniquely shaped by the environments where they occurr: the hurricane belt of northern Caribbean countries, temperate ocean conditions, swirling currents, proximities to rivers, the edge of continental shelf. Each reef is special and singular.   Here are five favourite reef experiences in the Caribbean:   Coral reefs of Belize. Photo courtesy XL C...

Dr Anjani Ganase reviews the film Angel Azul (Blue Angel), part of the Green Screen events of  Sustain TT.  The documentary was made to provide key messages of the work of underwater sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor; and is instructive for any other attempts to mitigate coral reef stress with underwater sculpture. Follow Anjani Ganase on Twitter ( @AnjGanase ) and follow Wild Tobago on Instagram ( @WildTobago )      The journey begins in Grenada where English artist, Jason deCaires Taylor, fell in love with the Caribbean and its wonders above and below the water. When the island was devastated by hurricane Ivan in 2004, Taylor (then 30 years) began work to create underwater sculptures near a damaged coral reef marine park. Sculptures were strategically placed on the sandy patches between the reef structure. The purpose of this was twofold; to relocate the diving stressors away from the natural reef allowing it to recover and regrow after the hurricane; and ...

Anjani Ganase, Trinbagonian marine biologist, continues her weekly exploration of marine Tobago. Travel with her to Belize and Mexico where the XL Catlin Seaview Survey team surveyed the second biggest barrier reef in the world. Follow Anjani Ganase on twitter: @AnjGanase In 2013, I worked on an underwater coral reef mapping project called the XL Catlin Seaview Survey that allowed me to dive many reefs across the Caribbean. On one journey we explored the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, along the Yucatan Peninsula in the Western Caribbean. This reef is second to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and extremely vital to the health of the Caribbean Sea. Belize Barrier Reef Island. Photo by Anjani Ganase BELIZE We started in Belize, the only English speaking country in Central America. I wondered how much Trinidad and Tobago might have in common with Belize. Quite a lot, as it turned out: the “creole” language, the cheesy lyrics of...