Feature Story
Transitioning to a Blue Economy
Our island states in the International Year of the Reef
By Dr. Anjani Ganase
Why CSR should extend to marine conservation and climate change. Marine biologist and coral reef ecologist, Dr Anjani Ganase, argues the case for CSR of the Ocean.
The science is out, and it is agreed that humans are altering the global climate because of industrial carbon emissions. The current and predicted impacts on small- island developing states and our natural ecosystems, which are also important economic assets, are devastating. One such asset is our coral reefs. This crucial ecosystem is fundamental to our lives and livelihoods. Although they make up less than 1 % of the ocean, they provide habitat for up to 25 % of ALL marine life at some point in their lifecycles. But coral reefs do much more: shallow reef communities provide shoreline stability and protect coastlines and coastal communities from storm surge; they are a major source of economic income for Caribbean islands. In 2006, it was estimated that Tobago received about 101 – 130 million USD from direct and indirect coral reef associated tourism and fisheries (40 % of tourists visited the island for coral reef related activity). Additionally, the estimated annual value of natural shoreline protection provided by coral reefs is about 18 – 33 million USD, especially in the low lying southwest of Tobago, where the majority of the population lives and which is most vulnerable to coastal erosion and storm damage.
Corals are amazing animals. In the warm shallow waters of the tropics, where the water is clear enough and temperature is suitable, corals have developed a crucial symbiosis with algae. The algae make their home in the tissue of the coral; and in return provides the coral with food from photosynthesis. The sustenance provided by the algae allows corals to build incredible underwater reef cities, as the corals grow laying down calcium carbonate skeletons. Unfortunately, global warming has triggered a rise in coral bleaching events, where excessive warm temperatures break down the symbiotic relationship between the coral and the algae. When the algae leave the coral tissue, the coral loses its pigmentation, hence the bleaching effect. Eventually the coral, starved of its food supply, dies. This loss results in devastating consequences to the marine life that depends on these corals. Recovery of coral reefs after such disturbances is slow, taking over ten years to recover, and only if no other disturbances occur. 2018 was declared the 3rd International Year of the Reef, by the International Coral Reef Initiative, as a result of the longest and most severe global bleaching event yet, 2014 to 2016. Extreme summer temperatures killed corals and devastated reefs worldwide and was a severe blow to many communities and nations reliant on these ecosystems to sustain their economies.
Fortunately, the reefs of Trinidad and Tobago were largely spared in the last bleaching event, but we are certainly not out of the woods, as bleaching events are predicted to become more frequent and more severe. Trinidad and Tobago has a long history of poor management or neglect of our marine environment, and there is still a lack of necessary plans and enforcement to protect these natural assets. Our coral reefs and connected marine and coastal ecosystems (mangroves and seagrass areas) are impacted by waste and plastic pollution and habitat destruction; they are smothered by erosion and soil washed into the sea through unregulated land clearing activities. In addition, there is no management of fishing practices, as well as overfishing of species (lobster and conch) important to the ecology of the reef.
The responsibility for the health of our reefs can no longer rest solely in the hands of government and conservation units, especially as we are all culprits of climate change. To secure the future of our coral reefs and dependent marine communities, to safeguard our ocean assets, we need cross- sector collaboration and compromise. Objectives such as reducing carbon emissions, minimising waste production as well as cleaning up the results of decades of ignorance require individual commitment but collective actions. The first step is being aware of all activities that affect fragile ecosystems, no matter how far away they seem to be.
Why should the private sector care?
All businesses – accommodation, restaurants, retail, import or export, recreational, manufacturing or mining – in Trinidad and Tobago need to assess their long-term and indirect impacts on marine ecosystems. Choices from the site selection of the business or service (hotel or a golf course), transportation, to specifics like the purchasing (for instance choosing ecologically important fish species in the restaurant), and decisions about waste disposal or recycling send messages to consumers and regulators about how we value our ecosystems. At larger scales, investment in alternative energy sources may reduce our carbon footprint even as it reduces dependence on unsustainable and finite energy reserves especially in Tobago or in rural areas. Initiatives such as this do not go unnoticed in the global market and will attract regional and global interest and partnerships, the more innovative the action the better.
We also need to invest in continuing education programmes and innovative technology; green solutions and tools to make the transition to a green (or blue) economy easier. Look for tools, such as algorithms that detect inefficiencies in your workflow and production line; seek out technologies and materials that are eco-friendly and honestly sourced. Processes are being up-dated regularly and rapidly, and it serves our environmental purpose to be constantly upgrading to less harmful or destructive practices. Finally, we need to invest in our employees and clients; consider community and social partnerships to ensure the sustainable extraction and use of our marine environments.
It is necessary to think about our future in regard to climate change. The reality is that the overall average temperature all-inclusive resort. These would be small first steps to of the world is getting warmer: droughts will impact crops reducing the devastating impacts of climate change, while as well as natural forests; sea level is rising and we can assisting in poverty alleviation, inclusion of marginalised expect more coastal erosion and flooding; hurricanes may groups and securing sustainable lifestyles. Coral reefs, as be fewer in number but much more intense; the oceans are biodiversity hubs, offer examples of symbiotic co-operatives; absorbing more heat and coral reefs and marine organisms intrinsically, they are sources of untapped value such as for will suffer. Disaster management plans must be developed and implemented by both public and private sectors, and these must consider vulnerable communities, such as coastal fishing communities that rely on coral reefs and are subject to coastal erosion. Plans need to consider the recovery timelines of the ecosystems (the assets) that the communities rely on, which can take ten years or more to recover.
By transforming the relationship with the marine environment (or any ecosystem for that matter) from being mainly extractive, to actively advocating “wise use” (conservation and protection) we can diversify the job opportunities needed to support a larger economic framework and limit the stress on coral reefs. As an example, consider birding ecotourism or research and development tourism instead of the exclusive all-inclusive resort. These would be small first steps to reducing the devastating impacts of climate change, while assisting in poverty alleviation, inclusion of marginalised groups and securing sustainable lifestyles. Coral reefs, as biodiversity hubs, offer examples of symbiotic co-operatives; intrinsically, they are sources of untapped value such as for medicines that are important for the treatment of cancers and viruses. Engineering solutions for the marine environment and efficient aquaculture practices are all emerging from research on marine organisms and ecosystems.
We now know that the vast ocean is not endless, and humans can fill it up with garbage and can deplete and destroy its largesse. But it is not too late to begin to change. There are still unexplored areas of deep ocean; and organisms and relationships about which we are yet to learn. We also now know how much more there is to know about the Earth and Ocean, as a climate regulating system, our global ecosystem. It is wise to begin to care for what’s near – our own islands, coral reefs and marine territories – and extend such caring to all relationships, all ecosystems.
Anjani Ganase is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) focused in Coral Reef Ecosystems from the Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland. An experienced Marine Biologist actively engaged in the research industry, a specialist in coral reef research and spatial ecology, she is well-known for her popular blog ‘Wild Tobago’. Anjani is skilled in scientific diving, statistical analysis and scientific communication. Connect with Anjani on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin. com/in/anjani-ganase-48897275/
Unlike Pacific coral reefs, typical Caribbean coral reefs are less colourful, consisting of different shades of browns. Nevertheless, Caribbean coral communities create massive and unique underwater structures, providing surfaces and spaces that can be utilised by other marine life.
