Environment TO BAGO new slett er
E
Volume 2 Issue 3
Founded in 1995, ET is a proactive, advocacy group that campaigns against negative environmental activities throughout Tobago. We achieve this through a variety of community an environmental outreach programmes.
In the last year, the disregard with which we treat Tobago, stands out as momentous. In jeopardy is the survival of all of our ecosystems and their inhabitants. The move for “development” in every corner of the island in a bid to diversify has been far from sustainable. There are pressing environmental issues that require determined and forceful action if they are to be corrected. Environment TOBAGO has been the protagonist for research in marine and terrestrial fields. Advocates for sustainable development practices and education for school children and the general public. But what are we achieving? An intellectual audit of the processes which we at Environment TOBAGO apply today- reveals the need for a different approach. Volunteerism has been the bedrock of our efforts- but the society we serve remains ideologically indifferent to these efforts. This is to be expected in a country where we are presently chasing the development goal; where the environment places at the bottom of the ladder and attitudes towards conservation remain in the non-caring mode. How do we do this then? How are we to get the message across? It is evident in everything around us, that we don’t care. We have had some successes in addressing issues of marine pollution from land based activities, solid waste disposal and environmental education integrated into the school curriculums. This, through project Patricia Turpin President of based activities, school programs, advocacy and research. But we need Environment TOBAGO giving to step up the pace with further action, and proactive membership par- the President’s Report for the ticipation and visibility. This is not an organisation that runs on its own, year 2007-2008 with a few determined directors at the helm. We have had an illustrious history, and many renowned members. I am calling on you for greater help in all spheres of activity and to maintain the respect which we have garnered. This organisation has had consistent shortfalls in funding. We have survived due to project funding and one large endowment. Sustainable funding for recurrent expenditure has been hard to come by and has been augmented by funding from various organizations. We have learnt that expecting those employed to raise funds as stated in their job descriptions, a risky and non productive expectation. Concerted fund raising efforts in the coming months will be critical to our survival, we need the help of our membership in this endeavour.
n vi r on m e n t TOBAGO (ET) is a nongovernment, non-profit, volunteer organisation , not subsidized by any one group, corporation or government body.
Environment TOBAGO is funded mainly through grants and membership fees. These funds go back into implementing our projects. We are grateful to all our sponsors over the years and thank them for their continued support
W
hat’s inside
Annual General Meeting—overview
1
Training—Management of coastal recreational tourism
1
What is a voucher specimen
2
Pilot project: Belle Garden Waterland
3
Lambeau beach cleanup
4
Clean School competition launch
5
My Darwin Experience
6
Book Review
7
What’s Happening @ ET
9
Readers’ Forum
10
Notes to contributors
10
September 2008
Presidents Report- 13th Annual General Meeting (Overview) July 16th Botanics Conference Facility, Scarborough, Tobago
Training - Management of Coastal Recreational Tourism In June, ET’s Adminstrative Officer, and now the Education and Project Officer, Hema Singh attended the Commonwealth Regional Training Programme “Management of Coastal Recreational Tourism” at the University of the West Indies, Bridgetown, Barbados This two week programme ran from June 30th-July 11th 2008. Ms. Singh was appointed by the Ministry of Public Administration of Trinidad and Tobago. The programme was sponsored by the Department of Tourism, Tobago House of Assembly and the Commonwealth Technical Fund. ET would like to
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September 2008 Editor: Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal Assistant Editor: Christopher Starr Design & Layout: Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal Technical Support: Nolan Craigwell, Jerome Ramsoondar Nigel Austin Enid Nobbee Contributors: Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal Christopher Starr Environment TOBAGO Photographs: Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal Environment TOBAGO
Board of Directors 2007-2008 President:: Patricia Turpin Vice-President: Kamau Akili Secretary: Kay Seetal Treasurer: Shirley Mc Kenna Committee members: Wendy Austin William Trim Fitzherbert Phillips Geoffrey Lewis Bertrand Bhikkary Heather Pepe Ryan Allard David Antoine Andy Roberts
Environment TOBAGO newsletter take this opportunity to thank the Department of Tourism for their support. The programme participants and lecturers at the UWI, Barbados. The purpose of the course was to provide hands-on training for participants designed to enhance participants’ skills in support of the sustainable management of coastal leisure and recreational tourism, with the broad objective of achieving economic development while protecting the natural resources upon which tourism itself depends. The training course aims to disseminate specialized knowledge and to provide a forum for discussion and consultation between participants and course faculty. Through the presentation of case studies and sharing of participants’ work experiences at the national levels, the course hoped to achieve a significant level of skill transfer among the participants. Some of the lectures included: Sustainable Tourism in Islands Tourism Trends and Policies Principles of Coastal Recreational Tourism Beach Management: Theory and Practice Risk Assessment Issues of Beach Management Natural coastal Hazards Impacts on Tourism Water and Wastewater Management- Coastal Issues Yacht Tourism The Commonwealth Regional Training programme participants and lecturers at the UWI, Barbados
What is a Voucher Specimen? Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal Dept of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies I am sure many in an effort to extend their knowledge of the biodiversity around them and their environment would have read some scientific reports. In some of these you would note that they mention specimens of different types; for example, voucher specimens. But what makes these specimens so special? Voucher specimens are defined as any specimen that serves as a basis of study and is retained as a reference. They are lodged in a publicly accessible scientific reference collection, for instance in museums. In the past this specimen would be a preserved specimen of an animal or plant but advances in technology, material such as photographs, recording of a sound such the calls of birds, and most recently DNA. Voucher specimens fulfil two main roles, taxonomic and archival. Taxonomically they allow correct identification of specimens. As for their archival functions they allow for verification of identity or correction in subsequent studies permitting reassessment of studies as well as extension and elaboration of studies based on those specimens when new analytical techniques and questions arise. They allow for certain problems to be solved, for instance, carry out identification when no other means are available, or act as reference material they answer questions that cannot be answered when the animal is in hand. So these specimens are just not plants or animals you would pick up on a field trip they are invaluable to the expansion of the knowledge of the natural world.
Volume 2 Issue 3
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ET Launches UNDP/GEF Pilot Project Belle Garden Wetland, Tobago Sustainable Community Based Wetland Assessment for the Improvement of Conservational and Educational Efforts Environment TOBAGO (ET) proposed to establish a pilot programme to map and continuously monitor the condition of a demonstration project wetland in Tobago, the Belle Garden Wetland including its tributaries, over a 6 months period using a community based approach. Hired project staff and special consultants will train, assist and monitor selected community members (two groups of four persons (two females two males) from the Belle Garden community) to conduct the field assessments, raise community awareness and sustain ably use their wetland resources. An ET – based wetland eco – tour guide system will provide income to both the NGO and the trained community members beyond the project duration and as such create sustainability. Only such participants that will provide ecological data beyond the project duration will be marketed as eco – tour guides through Environment Tobago. The project is aimed to function as a pilot project, identifying strengths, mitigating weaknesses and further to accessing funding and extend the project to include all wetlands in Tobago. The above project has been accepted and approval for funding was granted by Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP), UNDP, Trinidad and Tobago. In keeping with the principles of the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and wise use of wetlands to which the GOTT is a signatory; "The recognition of wetlands as an integral part of the human environment, in an interdependent relationship; a recognition of the fundamental ecological functions served by wetlands as regulators of water regimes and as habitats supporting a characteristic flora and fauna; and an understanding that wetlands constitute a resource of great economic, cultural, scientific and recreational value, the loss of which would be irreparable". By addressing the unsustainable documentation gap concerning the wetlands of Tobago, Environment TOBAGO proposes to compile and complement existing data in a tangible and lasting manner, recognizing the value in the conservation and protection of Tobago’s wetlands as an economic resource. Tobago’s wetlands will be governed according to the new Forest Policy of Trinidad and Tobago. The Draft National Forest Policy (Dec. 2007) states: “The official forest cover data for Trinidad and Tobago are out-of-date and more recent unofficial estimates suggest that there has been significant loss of forest…” and further: “Accurate information is critical for effective forest management. The lack of definitive forest cover data suggests that there is a need for more precise and up-to-date information on the extent of forest in the country.” The planned pilot project shall serve as a role model for the mapping and monitoring of the remaining Tobago wetlands and as well be used to identify strengths and mitigate weaknesses of the pilot project. Overall, thirty three wetlands are found along the windward and leeward coasts of Tobago. There are twenty-two wetlands along the windward coast, of varying sizes and designation, including mangrove swamp, riverine and estuarine wetlands, marshes and lagoons. Amongst these are important areas which include Petit Trou Lagoon, Little Rockly Bay, Big Bacolet Bay/Minister Bay, Fort Granby, Carapuse Bay/ Roxborough, Louis D'Or, Kings River, Kilgwyn and Friendship. On the leeward coast, fifteen wetlands range from mangrove swamps, to freshwater marshes, annual floodplains to freshwater ponds. The largest of these is the Bon Accord Lagoon/Buccoo Bay wetland - approx. 77 ha. Other wetlands are at Turtlebeach River, Courland Bay, Black Rock, Parlatuvier and Bloody Bay. Wetlands are often erroneously viewed as dangerous to human health, and of no value to humankind. This misconception and general lack of appreciation for wetlands has led to them being used as garbage dumps, filled in and cleared for agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial developments. Wetlands of Tobago are seriously threatened by the aforementioned abuse and the critical importance of them to biodiversity and human wellbeing is consistently ignored. Most wetland areas of Tobago have been destroyed or their capacity severely reduced. Now less than one percent (1%) of our land area is covered by wetlands. The conservation and monitoring and wise use of the remaining wetlands is of vital importance for the environmental services that they provide free to this country. Including: 1. 2.
Coastal protection and shoreline stabilization. Especially in reducing the impacts of hurricanes, where they act as windbreaks and protect against erosion. Supporting a high biodiversity directly used by the residents of Tobago in the harvesting of mangrove timber, fish, crabs, oysters, and other wildlife.
MISSION STATEMENT
E
nvironment TOBAGO
conserves Tobago’s natural and living resources and advances the knowledge and understanding of such resources, their wise and sustainable use and their essential relationship to human health and the quality of life
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Environment TOBAGO newsletter 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Fish nurseries. Flood control: wetlands act as sponges reducing sediment load from surface runoff, thus reducing turbidity levels around neighbouring reefs. Pollutant filters, providing a major environmental and health benefit in cleaning contaminated surface run off water. Ecotourism and recreation sites. Their aesthetic appeal and high biodiversity make wetlands an ideal location for sustainable use such as hiking, kayaking, fishing, bird watching and other lowimpact uses of wetlands and therefore should be considered as high priority economic areas. Wetland ecosystems are of vital importance to scientists for various research activities, including fisheries, global warming and science and educational tourism. Tobago has one wetland system that has recently been designated a Ramsar site: the Bon Accord-Buccoo wetlands, a wetland of international importance. This allows us to access various forms of conservation funding.
Environment TOBAGO and Unit Trust Coporation Team up to Clean Lambeau Beach
UTC Team Members being briefed by ET’s Project Officer “ To many people t hes e t all pe aks mak e for a challe ngi ng but sce nic hike. B ut t hey are not j ust anot her t all mount ai n to clim b. ”
On Wednesday September 24th, the team members of the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) in Scarborough Tobago met on Lambeau Beach to conduct a Beach Clean Up Exercise coordinated by Environment Tobago (ET). The Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL) assisted in trucking away garbage collected. The exercise which was primarily a demonstration of Corporate Social Responsibility by the UTC had a two fold effect in that the corporation was able to carry out community service as well as remove dangerous and harmful garbage from the coastal environment. Mrs. Fabien-Browne, UTC’s Regional Manager expressed her satisfaction that most of her team members participated in the event as this was also a team building exercise. The members were split up into three teams and briefed on collecting and recording data. The purpose of this component was to analyse the data collected and try to determine the activities which result in debris and trash deposition. The teams collected 41 bags of garbage weighing 1049 lbs. Over 1445 plastic bottles were collected. Other items included more than 52 bottle caps, 6 light bulbs and numerous disposable plates, forks, knives and spoons, tyres, empty motor oil bottles, 43 slippers, 16 shoes, 1vehicle headlight, 1 urine bag, at least 10 cigarette lighters and more than 12 fishing lines and ropes. The team members who collected the most garbage must be specially commended: Melanie Phillips-Young, Ronaldo Lewis, Carlos Springer (Temp) and Abeo Carrington. Other hardworking team members included: Davin Groden, Michelle Davidson, Leston Williams, Felicia Melville, Nicollette Wright, Andayle George, Claire Grant and Jennifer FabienBrowne. ET is pleased that event was such a success and hopes that many other corporate entities will support and participate in similar exercises in the future.
UTC Team Members at work
Volume 2 Issue 3
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Environment TOBAGO launches Keep A Clean School Competition 2008 On Monday September 29th, Environment Tobago launched its 9th annual Keep A Clean School Competition at the Policy, Research Development Institute in Scarborough Tobago. The launch was well attended by school principals and teachers hoping to take part in the competition this year. The President of Environment Tobago, Mrs. Patricia Turpin, expressed the importance of this competition in educating youth as one way of addressing the solid waste problem in Tobago. Ms. Deborah Samaru, Public Relations Manager of Methanex Trinidad Limited, stated that her company was extremely pleased to be associated with the Keep A Clean School Competition and that the company is fully committed not only in sponsoring the programme this year but also using it as a means to get employees of Methanex involved in community work through the competition. Patricia Turpin The management of solid waste generation and pol- President of Environment TOBAGO lution, particularly in small island developing states such as Tobago, is an ongoing challenge. The Keep A Clean School Competition is a programme for waste reduction and pollution prevention in Tobago’s schools and has, in the past received the full sanction by the Division of Education, Tobago House of Assembly. Environment Tobago has education of youth as a fundamental aspect of its mission and has been administering the Keep A Clean School Competition since 2000 with the generous sponsorship of various corporate entities. Historically, the competition has been very successful throughout schools in Tobago arming teachers and students with knowledge and hands-on learning about waste reduction through the 3 R’s principle – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and more recently, the inclusion of Rethinking waste. Deborah Samaru Students are required to identify, design, plan and implement Manager of Public Affairs, solid waste reduction and management programmes within their Methanex Trinidad Ltd.- Sponschool with a teacher acting as a facilitator. The project should sors of the competition involve positive action by students that would contribute to a reduction in waste generation which would mean less waste heading to the Studley Park Landfill. The specific objectives of the competition include: To increase awareness among students of the need to reduce solid waste pollution in Tobago. To improve student knowledge of ways to reduce solid waste generation and properly dispose of solid waste. To facilitate development of positive student attitudes for a pollution-free Tobago. To encourage students to take actions to reduce the generation of solid waste and to practice appropriate waste disposal habits. Last year over 2500 students in 21 schools in Tobago participated. The Tidiest School in the competition was Speyside Anglican, which also won 1st place in the Primary School category. 2nd place was taken by Plymouth Anglican and tying for 3rd place was Goodwood Methodist School and Step Up International Academy. Goodwood Highschool took 1st place in the Secondary school category with Speyside Highschool in the 2nd place. We commend all our schools which participated last year, the projects were all testimony to the innovative and creative ways which can be used to address environmental problems. Our students and teachers clearly demonstrated the usefulness of this competition as a tool for learning. We hope that this year many more schools will participate. Some of the project launch attendees
“ the presence of FP may be an indication, an "early warning system", that our seas are polluted and that environmental changes are affecting the ability of wild animals to resist infectious diseases”
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Environment TOBAGO newsletter My Darwin Experience Jo-Anne Nina Sewlal Dept of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies In August of this year I was fortunate to be selected along with 27 young scientists from 21 countries around the world to participate in the Darwin Scholarship Programme put on by the Field Studies Council in the United Kingdom, to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin. It was also part of the official Darwin 200 celebrations coordinated by the Natural History Museum. The programme took place in Shrewsbury where Darwin was born and involved us walking along the same trails he took as a boy and a young man before his famous trip on the HMS Beagle which led him to develop the theory of the origin of species. These trails were referred to as sunken trails and existed during Darwin’s time and developed as the trails in the bare earth used for transport by foot and horse were gradually loosened and washed down when it rained. Some extended as far as two metres below the ground level. This erosion has been halted in present times with the placement of a layer of asphalt. The tangle of vegetation in these raised banks formed hedges and contained a wealth of invertebrates such as beetles and spiders not to mention a wide variety of plant species. It is believed that the number of species that call the hedge home increase with time, with every species present representing 50 years of the existence of the hedge. During the programme we also got the chance to visit Cwm Idwal (pronounced Com-midwall) in Wales. Along the way I was greeted by the sight of thousands of ferns that lined the sides of the road. It reminded me of those along the Blanchisseuse Road in Trinidad and along the Roxborough-Parlatuvier Road on the Main Ridge in Tobago. What all of these places have in common is a high rainfall, especially Wales which is well known for its very high rainfall. Although the United Kingdom and the West Indies are thousands of kilometres apart they do share some things in common when it comes to the biodiversity just in different ways, for instance in Cwm Idwal we found species of Drosera spp. which is an insectivorous plant commonly referred to as Sundew. One of the species of this genus is found in the Aripo Savannas. Another example would be the mud dauber wasps Trypoxylon spp. In the United Kingdom these wasps utilise old burrows made by other insects or natural cavities in the soil or trees. However in Trinidad and Tobago they construct their own nests from mud, with some species constructing in quite interesting designs. Typically in the Caribbean as we get to the higher altitudes we go through different zones of vegetation, for instance, montane, palmbrake and elfin woodland at the top. Similar zones are also found in temperate countries but not as well defined. In Wales these zones include woodland, heather and grassland at the top. In particular the moors are covered in heather (Calluna spp.) and just look like expanses of land covered in lilac weeds. But this small perennial shrub often Darwin 2008 scholarship group reaches heights between 20 to 50 cm and plays an important part in the ecosystem in the area and three species are found in the UK. These are important in the management of Grouse which feeds on the young shoots and seeds of the plant and make their nests between the older plants. However, unlike Trinidad and Tobago bush fires are not a common occurrence and occur naturally about every 15 years. So patches have to be burnt to encourage the growth of new heather to provide feeding sites for these birds. Our days started early and worked on developing identification keys and education material and involved many lectures, field trips and lab sessions and looked at plants, insects, birds and small mammals. In this myriad of activities a few stand out in my mind. One of which included the actual process involved in producing educational material in particular identification keys where one had to go through the process distinguishing and isolating the characters that make each species unique. Another highlight was when we learnt about small mammals and how to trap and identify them by snipping off patches of fur to expose the dense dark underfur in different combinations on their head, abdomen, back the sides of their body as a means of numbering the animals caught. This does not permanently scar the animals as the fur grows back and the patch is covered within 6 weeks? We also learnt to differentiate the genders as well as determine the age of the animals we caught which were released afterwards.
Volume 2 Issue 3
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We also had to opportunity to carry out some bat echolocation, during which we identified three species of Pipistrelle spp. After taking the recordings of the sounds we were able to see the graphs they produced on special software here you could tell when a bat had located an insect. Also if a bat wandered into the territory of another of the same species it would send out clicks that were of a slightly higher frequency so as not to get the feedback confused with the other bat. This process was repeated when a third bat of the same species entered the territory. During our stay we also recorded a variety of animals, some of which had not been recorded in that area for the last 50 years or, in some instances not at all. We also visited the new Darwin wing at Natural History Museum in London, which was under construction that will house the entomology department. We also went behind the scenes and looked at their collections of specimens from around the world some even collected during the voyage of the HMS Beagle. We also visited what they call the “tank room”, where they have a preserved giant squid as well as other large mammals. We also visited Down House where Darwin spent the last 40 years of his life and we got to meet his great great grandson. I even got copies of the origin of species and a book on Darwin published by his relation and signed by him. One of the final events of this programme was a visit to the town of Shrewsbury the town where Darwin was born. We started at the house where he was born which was now the tax office but actions are being taken to turn it into a place of historical interest like Down House. We then passed landmarks some of which have been around during the time he lived. It was quite an experience knowing that you are walking the same streets and visiting the same places that Darwin did. Some of these included his old school which was now the public library, the Ulitarian church his mother took him to and the old hospital (which is now a mall) where his father a medical doctor worked. By far this programme was a success and I hope that it will continue to educate other young scientists.
The place of Darwin’s birth
Book Review: THE THAMES, THEY ARE A'CHANGIN' Charles J. Cornish 1902. The Naturalist on the Thames. London: Seeley 260 pp. [Twelfth in a series on "naturalist-in" books.] Christopher K. Starr Dept of Life Sciences, University of the West Indies ckstarr99@hotmail.com
Some books reviewed in this series are set in very wild places. The naturalist who explores the Himalaya, the Gran Chaco or New Guinea, for example, can expect a large measure of adventure, even danger. The present book, in strong contrast, has to do with a very tame, even sedate region, quite free of all physical adventure. The Thames is the longest and most important waterway in Britain. It runs about 350 km from its source in the Cotswolds to its mouth in the southeast of England. About the lower third of this reach is tidal, so that the tides regularly extend up through London and some distance beyond it. Accordingly, the naturalist distinguishes three quite different zones of the Thames: the upper tributaries or backwaters, the main freshwater river, and the tidal zone or estuary. Charles Cornish is interested in all three of these zones, although he seems to hold the upper reaches in especial affection, as most naturalists would probably do. His scope is not just the river itself but the river system, including the lands along its banks. Within this scope, the 41 short chapters treat a variety of topics, with greatest attention to aquatic life and birds. It is a delightful book, about which I have just one complaint. It is not nearly as personal as most others in this series, so that the author says next to nothing about himself and is not as clearly situated within the subject. I don't know, maybe it's just part of being English. Two chapters on birds especially engaged my attention, treating "Bird Migration Down the Thames" and "The Carrion Crow". Several species -- blackbirds, house martins and swallows among them -- appear to follow the path of the river in their regular fall and spring migrations. The carrion crow, a conspicuous member of the Thames avifauna, is well known as a voracious predator of the eggs of other birds, for which reason it is held in general distaste. Cornish treats it in the proper naturalist manner, neither drawing back in horror from its habits nor making excuses.
“ A healthier river is of course not just better for organisms living in and on water, and Cornish names some land birds that appeared to have become more abundant as a result of a cleaner Thames.”
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“The Industrial Revolution brought both new forms of pollution and a sharp increase in population, so that by mid-19th century the tidal Thames was an inescapably very stinky river. �
Environment TOBAGO newsletter The Thames Valley has been settled for many centuries, and parts of the built environment are very old. Given the sedate nature of the region and the topic, it is appropriate that Cornish devotes a few chapters to human artefacts. To me, his chapter on "Ancient Hedges" is especially attractive, even though it would be hard to find a less adventurous topic suitable for a natural history book. The chapter title refers to the fact that hedges are among the oldest human-made features of the English environment. The chapters ends with a lengthy discussion of the plants that make the best hedges, in which one can fairly hear the author smacking his lips with delectation. It's easy to warm up to a guy who can groove on hedges. The book appears to be directed in large part to an early class of ecotourists. At the time of writing, about a century ago, vacationing and boating along the Thames above London had become very popular, so that there was a large group of people coming into contact with the wildlife of the river and its banks. It was a fortunate time for this sort of activity, as the Thames had recently seen some very successful efforts at conservation and restoration, both of the river itself and of the lands along it. I regard the chapters on this subject -- in which Cornish takes a realist but quite optimistic view -- as the most important in the book. At the time of writing, he reports, a ban on hunting birds had been in force in several Thames counties for several years, with remarkable results. The number of individual birds had risen substantially, they had become less wary of humans, and some long-missing species were attracted back into the region, a source of much satisfaction to the naturalist. Even more dramatic improvement was to be seen at that time in aquatic life. The reason for this deserves some extended comment. Lying as it does in a densely populated area, the Thames has long been subject to intense pollution, especially from sewage. Strong popular and official concern about this dates from the Middle Ages. Anti-pollution legislation was in place as early as the 14th century, although it is doubtable that it had much effect. The Industrial Revolution brought both new forms of pollution and a sharp increase in population, so that by mid-19th century the tidal Thames was an inescapably very stinky river. Those who could not escape this fact included the national legislators, as the Houses of Parliament are on the banks of the Thames. The river had become not only very smelly but of course very poisonous, so that fish had all but disappeared from the tidal Thames. The 19th century saw important public-works efforts to clean up the river. A key part of these involved a diversion of the city's immense sewage, so that part of it went into the Thames much lower downriver and another part was delivered by barge out to sea. By the 1890s the effects were already being seen in better water quality and a return of many fish and other aquatic organisms. Because so many people like to fish, these trends were well monitored, and Cornish was able to report, for example, that "Since the middle of April 1890, large shoals of dace, bleak, roach, and small fry have appeared in all the reaches, from Putney upwards." Today about 120 species are recorded in the Thames system as a whole. A healthier river is of course not just better for organisms living in and on water, and Cornish names some land birds that appeared to have become more abundant as a result of a cleaner Thames. Within this broader theme of the restoration of the Thames, Cornish gives special attention to salmon. The Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, spends most of its life in the sea, but breeds in the upper reaches of rivers, after which the vulnerable juveniles migrate to the sea. It is very sensitive to water quality, so that substantial pollution at any level -- sea at the river's mouth, tidewater, main river, or tributary -- will drive it out of the river system. This makes the salmon a special indicator species. At the time this book was written, no salmon had been recorded above London Bridge in the center of the city since 1833, and Cornish throws a sharp, yearning focus on the question of when they will ever return if ever. He would have had a long wait. Partly as a result of disruptions during two world wars, the state of the river got worse before it got better. Even so, salmon were recorded in the Thames again in 1974 for the first time in 141 years, and they have remained. This is not to suggest that the Atlantic salmon is now a common fish in the Thames. In no recent year has the number of returning adults been more than a few hundreds, and in most years it is about 50. Even so, it is a pleasure to see that Cornish's perpetual optimism was not misplaced. The Naturalist on the Thames is available free-of-charge at Project Gutenberg, http://www.ibiblio.org/ gutenberg/.
Volume 2 Issue 3
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WHAT’S HAPPENING @ ET Thanks from ET Scrip J Digital Jaric Environment Safety & Health Services Ltd. Methanex Trinidad Ltd. Ace Printery Guardian Wildlife Fund Funding received from UNDP/GEF
Volunteers needed!
ET would like to announce its new website! http://www.environmenttobago.net There is also a chatting blog for issues that members and the general public can use.
Persons who are interested in helping with cataloguing and filing of ET’s educational, research and operational material and archiving.
Environment TOBAGO t-shirts now available!!! Type: Polos Size: Small, Medium & Large Price: TT$150.00 Colours: Kelly green, royal blue, red, gold and ash grey Description: ET logo embroidered on left breast, sponsor’s logo printed on the back.
Type: Lady’s tees Size: Small & Medium Price: TT$100.00 Colours: Lime green, red and black Description: ET logo printed on front and sponsor logo at the back centre
Type: Regular tees Size: Small, Medium & Large Price: TT$100.00 Colours: Kelly green, red, black, navy blue, ash, purple, royal blue and black forest Description: ET logo printed on front and sponsor logos on sleeves at the back centre
Orders can be made through the office.
New Members
Environment TOBAGO—Environmental and Services Map of Tobago They are excellent and will be published every two years. Published in January 2008. Requests for these maps can be made to ET office.
With a membership of 401 worldwide, ET welcomes the following members: Tom Treasure Catherine Sabrina Batch Lucie Buckland Holly Marie Lewis Dr. Joanne Lello Ryan Mohammed William Trim Dean Black Colin Walker & Diana Doan Graham Upton & Jodie Johnson Dijana Doerfler
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Environment TOBAGO newsletter
READERS’ FORUM
Office:
Mailing address:
11 Cuyler Street Scarborough, Tobago, W.I. P.O. Box 503, Scarborough, Tobago, W.I.
Dear ET Newsletter Readers, We want to hear from YOU! Comments may be edited for length and clarity. Send your comments to: jo_annesewlal@yahoo.com or envirtob@tstt.net.tt
Phone: 1-868-660-7462 Fax: 1-868-660-7467 E-mail: envirtob@tstt.net.tt
GUIDELINES TO CONTRIBUTORS Articles on the natural history and environment are welcome especially those on Trinidad and Tobago. Articles should not exceed approximately 1200 words (2 pages) and the editors reserve the right to edit the length. Images should be submitted as separate files. Submit material to any of the following: 1) jo_annesewlal@yahoo.com 2) envirtob@tstt.net.tt Deadline for submission of material for the 4th Quarter 2008 issue of the Bulletin is December 10th, 2008. We are on the web http://www.Environmenttobago.net
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