Wild Tobago

Dr Anjani Ganase looks at how human development is changing the ocean, and altering Earth’s natural habitats, biodiversity and defences. When we look out on the ocean, we see vast endless blue along the ocean surface. Below this surface is a wealth of resources that humans have tapped for centuries. The ocean is a major source of resources, with benefits to humans, many to the detriment of its residents and the environment. Global governance of our ocean is challenging growing more alarming as nations continue to industrialise the ocean. Industrialisation consists of four aspects, according to Smith (2000) (1) mass manufacturing of new technologies, (2) large-scale capital investment, (3) social acclimatisation, and (4) economic incentives.   Here are some ocean industries with benefits to humans but with significant impact to the ocean ecosystem.   Williams Bay, Chaguaramas. Photo by Anjani Ganase Transport and communications Shipping is a testame...

Dr Anjani Ganase asks us to reflect on what is gained or lost when cruise ships come ashore to our islands. Do cruise ships add or take away from the Caribbean? The cruise ship industry has boomed in the Caribbean over the last fifty years, transporting 500,000 passengers annually in the 1970s to over 20 million today. The increase in passengers corresponds to investments in engineering for bigger ships with better features and services. Over the years, cruise ships have increased in size at a rate of 90 feet every five years with the largest cruise ships today carrying over 6000 passengers. C ruise ships come with cinemas, sky diving simulators, rock climbing walls, wave riders and biking facilities along with the 24-hour all you can eat buffets on top of dining halls, bars and restaurants. It is more about the journey than the destinations!     One of the smaller cruise ships off Charlotteville (photo courtesy Pat Ganase) The majority of...