IWCAM
Introduction . Study Area . Land-Sea Interaction . Coral Monitoring . GIS . Bathymetry/Benthic
Buccoo Reef was selected as the GEF-IWCAM National Hotspot on the basis that, despite recent damage from eutrophication and siltation to the inshore areas, it is still one of the best examples in the Southern Caribbean of a reef complex with contiguous mangrove wetlands, seagrass beds and coral reefs.
It is the largest fringing coral reef in Trinidad and Tobago, encompassing an area of 7 square kilometers, and is the country's only national marine protected area (MPA).It is recognized as the island’s most valuable natural asset and is a major attraction for the expanding tourism industry with over 40,000 visitors per year. Buccoo Reef also includes Pigeon Point, the island’s premier beach and water-sports resort. Tourism generates approximately 55% of Tobago’s GDP, with fishing being the second largest industry. The reef complex is an important nursery for commercially important stocks of fish and shellfish, in particular lobster and conch.
The project will focus on a Target Area that will include the coastal zone from Buccoo Reef to Castara and its associated watersheds including the Courland Watershed.
The Courland Watershed is the island’s largest watershed and the most important source of fresh water to southwest Tobago.
Widespread deforestation in this area is causing severe erosion, and the situation is made worse by unplanned development, road construction and poorly planned drainage. The coastal areas affected by run-off from the Courland Watershed include Buccoo Reef and many other fringing reefs. The Target Area will extend northwards along the Caribbean coast to Culloden Reef. This largely unspoilt reef is the only spur and groove reef on the island though it has recently been affected by siltation as a result of new roads and construction sites. Plans to extend and widen the road network along the Caribbean coast, with its steep watersheds and narrow strip of fringing coral reefs, presents substantial threats to these sensitive coastal ecosystems.
