2012 ANNUAL REPORT 2 VISION (Strategic Plan 2010-2014) To lead Trinidad and Tobago in attaining and managing environmentally healthy and sustainable communities and ecosystems MISSION The Environmental Management Authority is committed to protecting, restoring and conserving the environment to improve the quality of life by promoting: • Environmentally responsible development • A culture of care for the environment • Development and enforcement of environmental legislation • Use of economic, financial and other incentives This is to be achieved in an atmosphere of mutual respect, professionalism, accountability, transparency, collaboration and social responsibility. i MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN During the 2012 reporting period, the Board of Directors of the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) operated under the Chairmanship of the late Mr. Kelvin Ramnath, followed by Mr. Shyam Dyal, Deputy Chairman. On behalf of the current Board of Directors I am pleased to present this 2012 Annual Report, as part of the EMA’s ongoing commitment in meeting its mandate and working towards sound environmental management in Trinidad and Tobago. This Annual report is grounded in the results of the National Dr. Allan Bachan Biodiversity Assessment of Trinidad and Tobago (NBATT). Chairman With regards to the annual report, all facets of environmental management within the EMA’s purview for the 2012 period will be shared, along with highlights of our major achievements and future targets. The NBATT presented in this report takes stock of the breadth and depth of information on biodiversity in Trinidad and Tobago so that a baseline for improving research and management approaches related to our country's biological resources can be established. This information will build on the findings of reports which have been compiled on biodiversity in Trinidad and Tobago over the years, and also identify important gaps in biodiversity management processes, information and policies in Trinidad and Tobago. In addition to the NBATT report, the EMA took on the challenge of addressing noise pollution complaints through its first noise campaign, titled ‘Music is our Culture, Noise is Not’ and also introduced a pilot noise hotline and noise FAQ booklet. The EMA also held its first Sea Turtle Symposium in May 2012 and hosted several public education awareness initiatives to boost environmental sensitisation in Trinidad and Tobago. The EMA also launched its first National Photography Competition, ‘Aripo Savannas Revealed’ which sought to improve public’s awareness of the EMA’s Environmentally Sensitive Areas. The ongoing work of the EMA continued as a second Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (AAQM) Station was installed on the port of Pt. Lisas. The EMA also met with Nature Seekers (NS) in January 2012 and collaborated with this community-based organisation (CBO) on a project that aimed at reducing the number of sea turtles caught and killed in gill nets through providing and encouraging the use of alternative fishing methods. For 2012, the EMA also adopted a sector specific approach for permitting beginning with the water and wastewater sector. Based on ii information contained in the Source Registration database, permits were issued to 50 facilities in 2012. The EMA remains committed to using the most reliable data to inform its reports. Our dedication and thorough processes involved in developing and executing environmental legislation and policies, monitoring developmental activities, executing public education and awareness programs, and establishing and coordinating stakeholder partnerships, are entrenched in the EMA’s implicit mission to ensure that sustainability is at the core of its operations. At the EMA, the strategic focus is to lead Trinidad and Tobago in attaining and managing environmentally healthy and sustainable communities, and ecosystems. We are proud of our leadership role in sustainability and continue to set milestones of achievement for ourselves and for the benefit of this nation. The EMA has been working diligently to meet its mandate and will continue to strive towards maintaining the delicate balance of our country, while ensuring that responsible environmental management prevails. Dr. Allan Bachan Chairman March 2014 iii Contents MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN .......................................................................................... ii List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................ viii List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. x List of Tables .............................................................................................................................. xi List of Boxes .............................................................................................................................. xi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ 2 PART A: ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT ............. 1 Chapter 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 4 Overview ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Global Perspective....................................................................................................................... 4 The Trinidad and Tobago Context .............................................................................................. 8 Purpose and General Scope ......................................................................................................... 8 1.1.1 Selection of Biodiversity Components for Assessment ............................................ 9 Chapter 2 Biodiversity Status, Trends and Driving Forces ......................................................... 11 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 11 Assessment of Status and Trends in Biodiversity in Trinidad and Tobago .............................. 12 2.1.1 Key Ecosystems ...................................................................................................... 12 2.1.2 Key Ecosystem Services ......................................................................................... 22 2.1.3 Species Diversity .................................................................................................... 34 2.1.4 Genetic Diversity in T&T ....................................................................................... 43 Status and Trends in Driving Forces ......................................................................................... 43 2.1.5 Direct Drivers of Change ........................................................................................ 43 2.1.6 Indirect Drivers of Change ...................................................................................... 58 Summary of Driving Forces Affecting Biodiversity ................................................................. 62 Chapter 3 The Socio-Economic Contributions of Biodiversity .................................................. 65 iv Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 65 3.1.1 Objectives ............................................................................................................... 65 3.1.2 Economics in the Context of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Framework ............................................................................................................................. 66 Economic Assessment of Key Ecosystems in Trinidad and Tobago ........................................ 66 3.1.3 Coral Reefs.............................................................................................................. 66 3.1.4 Forest Ecosystems ................................................................................................... 69 3.1.5 Wetlands ................................................................................................................. 73 3.1.6 Marine Ecosystems ................................................................................................. 75 Aggregating Benefits................................................................................................................. 78 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 80 Chapter 4 Analysis of Agrobiodiversity Resources in Trinidad and Tobago ............................. 81 Introduction to Agrobiodiversity ............................................................................................... 81 The Trinidad and Tobago Context ............................................................................................ 81 The Agrobiodiverse Resources of Trinidad and Tobago .......................................................... 83 4.1.1 Cultivated Crops ..................................................................................................... 83 4.1.2 Strategic/Economically Important Crops ................................................................ 84 4.1.3 Livestock/Poultry/Aquaculture