Marine Life in Trinidad and Tobago

By: Stacia Gordon1L

This is what our waters should look like…..

Not this ……

Three marine animals found in our waters

The Giant Basket Starfish

The Giant Basket Starfish is a unique creature with aerial type roots. It is found in various seas in Trinidad and Tobago. This starfish is usually 2” to 8” long. The Giant Basket Starfish’s scientific name is Astrophyton Muricatum. It is not endangered but if we continue the depletion of our marine life they will soon become threatened to extinction.

The Loggerhead Turtle

The loggerhead is a big turtle that is endangered due to overfishing and fishing nets. This creature is very big and looks almost like the Leatherback Turtle that is also endangered.

The West Indian Manatee

The West Indian Manatee otherwise known locally as the “Sea Cow” is an endangered marine life species. If we preserve our oceans this species might exit the endangered species category leaving it fully at peace, but thanks to our cruel ways such as simply dumping garbage in our seas, it leaves a significant impact on these harmless creatures.

Why did I choose this topic?

Too many of our natural surroundings are being depleted for human wealth and we are doing nothing about it.

Our marine environment is one of our countries main tourist attractions and we need it for money and further development of the country.

We cannot just toss our natural environment aside and let anything happen to them, there must be laws enforced to protect our species or soon there will be none left for generations ahead.

But…..there is a solution!!!!We can pass laws to regulate and control the

cruise ships to prevent them from dumping refuge in our waters.

Ensure that all sewage lines are repaired and waste treated before being dumped into the sea.

Regulate and patrol our waters to ensure that overfishing is not done.

Each country should ensure that other foreign fishermen do not overfish their lands.

So let us all works together for a better and cleaner environment for generations ahead. Heal the world.