UTT showcases marine environment

Local species of marine flora and fauna were displayed to educate the public on indigenous wildlife and raise conservation awareness.

A combination of living marine and coastal organisms as well as preserved and dried specimens were exhibited.

Live species on display included caiman, lion fish, stingrays, eels, various types of saltwater fish, crabs, freshwater turtles, tubeworms and echinoderms among other organisms. Preserved specimen consisted of a lamprey and horseshoe crab, eels, rays, sharks, echinoderms, molluscs, crustaceans, shells and eggs of five different sea turtles and bones (skulls, vertebrae, jaws) of other marine animals.

The public was also treated to useful information on several topics such as invasive species, shark conservation, seismic testing, oil spills and COREXIT, which is an oil dispersant used during oil spill response operations.

Every year, the marine sciences unit extends an invitation to stakeholders who play an important role in the marine environment to participate in the showcase.

This year’s event, which was co-sponsored by Trincity Mall in collaboration with Turtle Village Trust, the Coast Guard, Caribbean Fisheries Training and Development Institute, Institute of Marine Affairs, the University of the West Indies Zoological Museum and the Solid Waste Management Company, saw a steady influx of visitors.

Besides students, faculty and staff of UTT’s Marine Sciences programmes, and volunteers of different ages also assisted.

Volunteers were given training prior to the event and they gained hands-on experience dealing with the animals (both live and preserved).

They also were also exposed to basic aquaria maintenance. Information on applying to Marine Sciences and other UTT programmes was also made available to the public. Annually, the showcase is seen as an avenue to remind citizens to be mindful of their responsibility to protect and conserve our environment and the organisms that live within it. Anyone interested in partnering or volunteering with the marine sciences unit can contact assistant professor Dr. Reia Guppy at marine.sciences@ utt.edu.tt.