Caroni Swamp, is important

The Minister made this observation in a message to commemorate World Wetlands Day which is celebrated internationally yesterday. “The resources of the Caroni Swamp are important to a number of stakeholders including neighbouring rural communities who utilize the wetland’s diverse resources to provide opportunities for job creation and income generation through hunting; commercial and subsistence fishing; recreation and ecotourism; and education and scientific pursuits,” she said.

As this country’s second largest wetland and the largest mangrove swamp, Robinson-Regis said the Caroni Swamp has a rich diversity of flora and fauna and is an important nursery for marine and freshwater fish species.

Some 190 species of birds (20 of which are endangered species) have been reported in Caroni Swamp. The swamp also supports 10 species of reptile, 60 species of crustacean and marine animals, 30 species of mammals and 70 species of plants.

This wetland is also an important habitat for a number of the country’s endangered species including our national bird the Scarlet Ibis, Silky Anteater, Crab- eating Raccoon or Mangrove Dog and the Cascabel Dormillon or Cook’s Tree Boa. Robinson- Regis observed that the Caroni Swamp, Nariva Swamp and the Buccoo Reef Bon Accord Lagoon Complex are all identified as Ramasar sites. The adoption of the Convention on Wetlands took place on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar The Nariva Swamp is the largest freshwater wetland in the Caribbean and the most varied plant and animal diversity of TT’s wetlands. Nariva is an important habitat to resident and migratory waterfowl and the only remaining wetland site in the country with populations of the anaconda, the West Indian Manatee, the white-fronted capuchin and the reintroduced blue and yellow macaw. The Swamp also supports one of only two communities in Trinidad of the Moriche Palm. The Buccoo Reef and Bon Accord Lagoon Complex are the best example of contiguous coral reef, seagrass beds and mangrove swamp in Tobago. It consists of a large shallow reef lagoon bordered by the Bon Accord Lagoon and mangrove swamp landward and an arc of five reef flats.