f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
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anches <strong>of</strong> live coral to take back as<br />
souvenirs! Many countries, including<br />
<strong>Tobago</strong>, adopt a no-glove policy for divers<br />
who are more likely to touch <strong>and</strong> damage<br />
the corals when gloves are worn.<br />
Generally, the healthiest, most lush reefs<br />
in <strong>Tobago</strong> are in Speyside <strong>and</strong> a few <strong>of</strong> the<br />
best dive sites for coral magnificence <strong>and</strong><br />
diversity include:<br />
Coral Gardens<br />
The highlight <strong>of</strong> this dive site is the<br />
largest Boulder Brain coral in the Caribbean<br />
measuring 3.5 m tall <strong>and</strong> 6 m wide. Coral<br />
Gardens is a gently sloping reef located 450<br />
m from the southwest tip <strong>of</strong> Little <strong>Tobago</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> 50 m from the southern end; the dive<br />
begins in 10 m <strong>and</strong> heads in a northwest<br />
direction. The reef is covered with a forest<br />
<strong>of</strong> gorgonians including giant slit-pore sea<br />
rods, black sea rods, porous sea rods <strong>and</strong><br />
large colonies <strong>of</strong> sea plumes. There are<br />
several species <strong>of</strong> stony corals including<br />
starlet coral, maze coral, small boulder<br />
brain coral <strong>and</strong> honeycomb plate coral.<br />
Black Jack Hole<br />
One <strong>of</strong> several reefs south <strong>of</strong> Little<br />
<strong>Tobago</strong>, this dive site gets its name from<br />
the numerous Black Jacks that are seen<br />
here from the months <strong>of</strong> May to July. This<br />
steeply inclined reef is covered by small<br />
brain corals, several varieties <strong>of</strong> fire coral,<br />
black sea rods, slit-pore sea rods, common<br />
sea fan, Venus sea fans. Beyond 30 m,<br />
black coral, Devil’s sea whip <strong>and</strong> wire coral<br />
can be found.<br />
Japanese Gardens<br />
Situated at the southern end <strong>of</strong> Goat<br />
Isl<strong>and</strong>, the reef takes on a flower-garden<br />
appearance because <strong>of</strong> the vivid <strong>and</strong><br />
brightly coloured corals <strong>and</strong> sponges. On<br />
exiting through “Kamakazee Cut,” the reef<br />
then slopes steeply <strong>and</strong> numerous reef<br />
boulders are covered mainly with small<br />
brain corals, large sea fans speckled with<br />
Flamingo Tongues, fire corals, giant slitpore<br />
sea rods <strong>and</strong> sea plumes.<br />
In the South (Columbus Passage), noted<br />
dive sites include: Flying Reef <strong>and</strong> Kariwak<br />
Reef, while North Coast dive sites <strong>of</strong>fer Mt.<br />
Irvine Wall, Arnos Vale <strong>and</strong> Culloden.<br />
Due to their attractive colours <strong>and</strong><br />
complex <strong>and</strong> diverse ecosystems, corals<br />
are <strong>of</strong>ten the focus <strong>of</strong> tourism activities like<br />
snorkeling <strong>and</strong> scuba diving. However, they<br />
are easily susceptible to certain diseases,<br />
like black b<strong>and</strong> disease (BBD) <strong>and</strong> many<br />
threats, which can upset marine life as well<br />
as foreign exchange revenue. Stressors<br />
can diminish their health, appearance<br />
<strong>and</strong> beauty <strong>and</strong> may lead to a decline in<br />
Feather Black Coral (Antipathes pennacea) at dive site, TDE Special, Speyside<br />
tourist satisfaction, reflecting poorly on the<br />
tourism product.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the biggest challenges faced<br />
by corals is coral bleaching <strong>and</strong> ocean<br />
warming (stemming from global warming).<br />
Zooxanthellae become increasingly<br />
vulnerable to damage by lack <strong>of</strong> light or<br />
increases in water temperature, resulting<br />
in their expulsion from the stressed coral<br />
host. Corals tend to die in great numbers<br />
immediately following a bleaching event,<br />
leaving vast, ghostly expanses <strong>of</strong> white,<br />
lifeless coral in barren, deserted reefs with<br />
minimal or no marine life.<br />
Another leading cause <strong>of</strong> coral reef<br />
degradation is pollution. This threat comes<br />
from a variety <strong>of</strong> sources—oil, gas <strong>and</strong><br />
pesticide contamination poisons coral <strong>and</strong><br />
marine life. Reefs are harmed when raw<br />
sewerage, animal waste <strong>and</strong>/or fertilizer<br />
is dumped into the ocean or when river<br />
systems carry these pollutants to reef<br />
waters.<br />
Careless boating, reckless diving,<br />
snorkeling <strong>and</strong> fishing can also damage<br />
coral reefs. Whenever people grab, kick or<br />
walk on corals, or even stir up sediment<br />
in the reefs, they negatively affect coral<br />
health <strong>and</strong> the ecosystem.<br />
Coral reefs are important indicators<br />
<strong>of</strong> ocean health, <strong>and</strong> even the overall<br />
condition <strong>of</strong> the planet. They are our<br />
warning system—if they can’t survive, we<br />
are on our way to self-inflicted devastation.<br />
But if we can protect <strong>and</strong> respect our reefs,<br />
we can all thrive in a healthy world, <strong>and</strong><br />
enjoy these marvelous “sea gardens” for<br />
generations to come.<br />
The <strong>Ins</strong> & <strong>Outs</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong><br />
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