INVESTIGATIONS TO
ASSESS THE IMPACTS OF THE YACHTING INDUSTRY IN THE NORTHWEST PENINSULA OF
TRINIDAD
(Excerpts)
Institute of Marine
Affairs
Chaguaramas
©1997
OBSERVATIONS OF CIRCULATION PATTERNS IN THE REGION OF
POINTE GOURDE,
CHAGUARAMAS, TRINIDAD
Nazeer Gopaul and Frank Teelucksingh
Institute of Marine Affairs
Hilltop Lane, Chaguaramas
Present Address: Coastal Dynamics Oceanographic Consultants
3 Second Avenue
Cascade, Port of Spain
Chaguaramas and Carenage Bays are located to the west and east of Pointe Gourde respectively, close to the northern opening of the Gulf of Paria. Oceanographic studies were conducted as part of a multidisciplinary survey to investigate the impacts of development within these two bays. Field studies were conducted over the wet season when the flow is more intense and variable in both the vertical and horizontal planes. The circulation within these bays is complex, with several driving forces (tides, wind, density, internal wave activity) acting on the water masses simultaneously. The study area also has irregular bathymetry and is recipient of two main water masses: less saline surface waters and deeper more saline water, during the wet season. Carenage Bay is characterised by slow currents with westerly (falling tide) and easterly (rising tide) currents generally less than 15 cm s -1. Chaguaramas Bay is characterised by relatively stronger currents (up to 80 cm s -1) close to LW because of the effects of the 'Remous' (internal wave activity). Within Chaguaramas Bay it was found that the tidal currents were to the west on falling tide and to the east on rising tide. A depth averaged finite difference model was setup for the study area in order to describe the circulation patterns in the area and to conduct preliminary assessments of the transport of pollutants entering the bay. The studies indicated that Carenage Bay experiences poor flushing by currents when compared to Chaguaramas Bay.
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BACTERIOLOGICAL SURVEYS IN WELCOME BAY AND CHAGUARAMAS BAY
Christine Bullock
Institute of Marine Affairs
Hilltop Lane, Chaguaramas
A large area of both Welcome Bay and Chaguaramas Bay in the northwest peninsula of Trinidad contains moorings for yachts. Within recent years, there has been a considerable increase in yachting activities in both bays. Bacteriological surveys were therefore conducted to assess the effects of increased yachting activity on water quality, with the aim of protecting both environmental and public health.
The bacteriological surveys at Welcome Bay and at Chaguaramas Bay were conducted over a period of thirty (30) days during both the wet season in 1996 and the dry season in 1997. Total coliforms, faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli in water samples collected during these surveys were enumerated using standard methods.
Several land-based sources of pollution to Welcome Bay and Chaguaramas Bay were identified during these surveys. Water quality varied among the locations sampled at both bays and did not always comply with International standards for bathing beaches. In addition, there was seasonal variation in water quality. This had been noted in previous studies conducted at both bays.
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WATER AND SEDIMENT QUALITY IN WELCOME BAY
AND CHAGUARAMAS BAY
Linda Sudama and Kishan Kumarshingh
Institute of Marine Affairs
Hilltop Lane, Chaguaramas
Present Address: Environmental Management Authority
The Mutual Centre
16 Queens Park West, Port of Spain
Over the past five (5) years, there has been a steady increase in the number of foreign yachts anchored off the bays in the northwest peninsula, particularly Welcome Bay and Chaguaramas Bay. Water and sediment quality studies were conducted as part of a multidisciplinary project to investigate the impacts of the yachting industry within these bays. Field studies at various stations within both bays were carried out over a single wet and dry season period to assess the possible influence from land-based sources.
Generally, higher levels of contaminants were observed in Welcome Bay than in Chaguaramas bay. This can be attributed to decreased flushing in the former. In both bays, higher levels of nutrients were reported in the dry season than in the wet season. Levels of total phosphate were higher in the dry season suggesting these levels were not significantly influenced by land-based sources. This is supported by the fact that levels of contaminants present in the inshore stations were comparable to levels in the offshore stations. High levels of total phosphate may provide an indication of sewage enrichment.
Levels of trace metals found in seawater at Welcome Bay reveled that copper levels at all stations exceeded the USEPA (1986) Water Quality Criteria (WQC) for the Protection of Aquatic Life. Levels of lead and iron at a number of stations were found to exceed the USEPA (1986) WQC value. Levels of trace metals found in seawater at Chaguaramas Bay were generally lower than the levels found in Welcome Bay. Levels of copper found at all stations exceeded the USEPA 1986) WQC value.
Levels of petroleum hydrocarbon in the sediments at Welcome Bay showed similar variations during both seasons; the levels in the dry season being slightly lower. Most of the stations sampled at Welcome Bay during the wet season showed levels of petroleum hydrocarbons approaching "contamination levels."
Levels of trace metals and in particular, lead and mercury recorded in the sediments at some stations in Welcome Bay during the study period were found to be approaching recommended criteria levels.
The results of this preliminary study suggest that Chaguaramas bay has the potential for sewage contamination. The area also appears to be contaminated with copper. Levels of contaminants found at Welcome Bay suggest that there is a potential for sewage, petroleum hydrocarbon, and trace metal (copper, lead and mercury) pollution at this site if levels increase further.
Immediate effective management of the Welcome Bay and Chaguaramas Bay area is therefore needed to prevent pollution from developing further.
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A SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE YACHTING INDUSTRY IN THE
NORTHWEST PENINSULA OF TRINIDAD
Lisa James, Susan Shurland-Maharaj and Roget Bibby
Institute of Marine Affairs
Hilltop Lane, Chaguaramas
Over the past five years, there has been a steady increase in the number of foreign yachts anchored off the bays in the northwest peninsula, particularly Welcome Bay and Chaguaramas Bay. This has resulted in increased economic activity in the yachting services industry as well as other spin-off commercial activities. It is argued that the industry has and will continue to contribute significantly to the economy of Trinidad and Tobago generally and to the local economy of the northwest peninsula in particular.
Given the economic potential of the industry, the Tourism and Industrial Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TIDCO) has been promoting Trinidad and Tobago as a yachting destination. In spite of this, limited studies have been conducted on the economic and social aspects of the industry. This socio-economic assessment of the yachting industry and the associated community identifies and quantifies the economic contribution of the industry to the national economy.
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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF CHAGUARAMAS AREA
- LEGAL ASPECTS
Allan Goodridge
Institute of Marine Affairs
Hilltop Lane, Chaguaramas
The two main sources of pollution, which impact on Trinidad's West Coast and the Gulf of Paria, are pollution from vessels and pollution from land-based sources and activities. These impacts are experienced at Chaguaramas. Trinidad and Tobago has been involved in initiatives to protect its marine environment from these two major sources of marine pollution. This paper examines the Protocol Concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities as well as the major conventions dealing with pollution from vessels and Trinidad and Tobago's draft Shipping (Marine Pollution) Act. The implication of these instruments for activities being undertaken in the Chaguaramas area are discussed. Recommendations for the proper management of this and other areas of Trinidad and Tobago made.
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