Marine Spatial Planning - Trinidad and Tobago

Background

Trinidad and Tobago's coastal zone is a vital economic engine, accounting for 81% of the country's GDP (CH2M Hill Halcrow, 2016). The Gulf of Paria, in particular, is a critical area for oil and gas extraction, fishing, and tourism. However, these activities have led to conflicts and environmental degradation, including pollution, habitat destruction, and resource overexploitation.

The country's "Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Policy Framework" (2023) emphasizes the importance of sustainable development and calls for the implementation of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). This aligns with the "Maritime Policy and Strategy" (2021) and Vision 2030, which also prioritize MSP as a strategic initiative.

PROCARIBE+ Intervention:

The PROCARIBE+ project will support the development of an MSP plan for Trinidad and Tobago's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Gulf of Paria. The plan aims to promote sustainable blue economic growth by establishing zones for different users, minimizing conflicts, and fostering a sustainable blue economy. It also aims to protect and rehabilitate coastal ecosystems through improved management of socio-economic activities and their impacts. Additionally, the plan seeks to reduce vulnerability to climate change through improved planning practices for coastal and marine development projects. 

                                                                                                       Map of the Gulf of Paria, the proposed planning area, in Trinidad and Tobago. (source: Institute of Marine Affairs, Trinidad & Tobago)

Key Activities:

The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) will lead the national MSP efforts, with support from the PROCARIBE+ Project  and a MSP Sub-committee of the Inter-ministerial ICZM Committee. This will involve:

• Data collection and analysis: To understand the current state of the Gulf of Paria's ecosystems and human activities.
• Stakeholder engagement: To ensure a participatory and inclusive planning process.
• Spatial planning and zoning: To allocate space for different uses, balancing economic development with environmental protection.
• Monitoring and evaluation: To track progress and adapt the plan as needed.

Anticipated Benefits of the MSP Process:

The MSP initiative is expected to deliver numerous benefits, including:

• Reduced user conflicts: By establishing clear zones for different activities.
• Improved environmental management: Through better protection and restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems.
• Enhanced resilience to climate change: By incorporating climate change mitigation and adaptation measures into the plan.
• Sustainable economic growth: By fostering a blue economy that balances economic development with environmental sustainability.

The MSP initiative in Trinidad and Tobago is a crucial step towards achieving sustainable development in the Gulf of Paria. By implementing an integrated and participatory approach, the project will contribute to the long-term health of the marine environment and the well-being of coastal communities. 

Promoting Sustainable Management in the Gulf of Paria

The PROCARIBE+ project will not only support the development of MSP in Trinidad and Tobago's Gulf of Paria, but also extend its reach to the Venezuelan side of the Gulf. This ambitious goal aims to foster comprehensive national MSP frameworks in both countries encompassing the entire Gulf of Paria.

To achieve this, the project aims at facilitating dialogue and collaboration between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. This will focus on areas of mutual interest, aiming to promote synergies and ensure coherence in MSP efforts across the entire Gulf.