Thread by @LaDaanaKanhai

[1] Reports indicate that the #Venezuelan Floating Storage/Production Vessel, FSO #nabarima, currently located in the #gulfofparia, has approximately 1.2 million barrels of crude oil onboard & the vessel is in distress.

Why is this of concern to #TrinidadandTobago?

[2] The #gulfofparia is a semi-enclosed body of water located between #Trinidad and #Venezuela. The #marine #environment is a very dynamic system. Any oil that is spilled in the #gulfofparia will likely be transported by the currents and reach the shores of both countries.

[3] Presently, the #gulfofparia supports important #fisheries 🐟🦐 Many #fisherfolk in #Trinidad harvest #fish and #shellfish from the #gulfofparia🛥️ The livelihood of these #fisherfolk are dependent on a healthy marine environment.

[4] In the event of an oil spill in the #gulfofparia, any #fish or #shellfish that is harvested from the marine environment may be contaminated and thus rendered unfit for human consumption. The local supply of #fish and #shellfish will therefore be impacted.

[5] Along the western coast of #TrinidadandTobago, we also have a number of important #wetlands. Examples include the (i) Caroni Swamp, a RAMSAR site and the largest mangrove swamp in #TrinidadandTobago and, (ii) Godineau Swamp, the third largest wetland in T&T.

[6] Any oil that makes its way to these important #wetlands will of course have negative impacts on these #ecosystems and on the organisms that live there. Shown here are mangrove oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae) on the prop roots of red mangrove (Rhizophorae mangle).

[7] Here in #TrinidadandTobago, our #wetlands provide us with a number of important #ecosystem services (shoreline stabilization, carbon sequestration, recreational activities such as bird watching, fishing, etc).

[8] Along the western coast of #Trinidad, there are also a number of #beaches that are used by locals for recreational activities. An #oilspill in the #gulfofparia will therefore pose a threat to the quality of these #coastal #environments.

[9] This therefore is a call to action! I join my voice with those that have already spoken before. Let's be proactive rather than reactive. We here in #TrinidadandTobago are very much dependent on a healthy marine environment!