Wild Tobago

The recent sighting of a Giant Manta Ray at Buccoo Bay prompts Shivonne Peters, marine scientist, to consider the simple measures needed to keep these and other creatures in Tobago waters, and to build an attractive marine-based tourism industry.   Two weekends ago, beachgoers at Buccoo Bay were startled by the sight of a pair of black fins rising out of the water only a few meters from shore. At first, these fins were presumed to belong to some species of shark; an equally thrilling sight but also rather uncommon along Tobago’s populated beaches. Bathers scampered into ankle-deep waters but remained in awe of the creature that seemed unbothered by their presence. For over half an hour, we watched as this majestic animal, now decidedly not a shark, cruised gracefully along the beach performing the occasional somersault extending parts of its body out of the water. Every evening for the entire week, this animal exhibited the same behaviour and pattern of mo...

Marine scientist Anjani Ganase discusses sedimentary habitats that are abundant in the ocean but less recognized as ecosystems worth protecting. Sedimentary habitats are exactly what they sound like, areas of sandy, or muddy marine habitats that result from settlements of sand and sediment particulates in locations of lower water movement. When we think of sandy habitats, we imagine shallow lagoonal areas along the coastline, which include areas along the bases of coral reefs in deep harbour bays such as Maracas Bay, Charlotteville and Scarborough. These types of habitats also extend to great depths beyond the continental shelf. Although these habitats may not be the postcards of marine biodiversity, the varying environments in which they are found make them quite diverse in terms of the communities that can live there. As sedimentary habitats are so extensive and rarely accessible, many of these places are underexplored especially in deeper locations; and to this today, the ex...