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[1] Reports indicate that the #Venezuelan Floating Storage/Production Vessel, FSO #nabarima, currently located in the #gulfofparia, has approximately 1.2 million barrels of crude oil onboard & the vessel is in distress.
Why is this of concern to #TrinidadandTobago?
![[1] Reports indicate that the #Venezuelan Floating Storage/Production Vessel, FSO #nabarima, currently located in the #gulfofparia, has approximately 1.2 million barrels of crude oil onboard & the vessel is in distress. Why is this of concern to #TrinidadandTobago?](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkduveTXEAA9p5C.jpg "[1] Reports indicate that the #Venezuelan Floating Storage/Production Vessel, FSO #nabarima, currently located in the #gulfofparia, has approximately 1.2 million barrels of crude oil onboard & the vessel is in distress. Why is this of concern to #TrinidadandTobago?")
Why is this of concern to #TrinidadandTobago?
[2] The #gulfofparia is a semi-enclosed body of water located between #Trinidad and #Venezuela. The #marine #environment is a very dynamic system. Any oil that is spilled in the #gulfofparia will likely be transported by the currents and reach the shores of both countries.
![[2] The #gulfofparia is a semi-enclosed body of water located between #Trinidad and #Venezuela. The #marine #environment is a very dynamic system. Any oil that is spilled in the #gulfofparia will likely be transported by the currents and reach the shores of both countries.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkdyNm4XEAEa66f.jpg "[2] The #gulfofparia is a semi-enclosed body of water located between #Trinidad and #Venezuela. The #marine #environment is a very dynamic system. Any oil that is spilled in the #gulfofparia will likely be transported by the currents and reach the shores of both countries.")
[3] Presently, the #gulfofparia supports important #fisheries 
Many #fisherfolk in #Trinidad harvest #fish and #shellfish from the #gulfofparia
The livelihood of these #fisherfolk are dependent on a healthy marine environment.
![[3] Presently, the #gulfofparia supports important #fisheries Many #fisherfolk in #Trinidad harvest #fish and #shellfish from the #gulfofparia The livelihood of these #fisherfolk are dependent on a healthy marine environment.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekdz2IlW0AEkdP9.jpg "[3] Presently, the #gulfofparia supports important #fisheries Many #fisherfolk in #Trinidad harvest #fish and #shellfish from the #gulfofparia The livelihood of these #fisherfolk are dependent on a healthy marine environment.")
Many #fisherfolk in #Trinidad harvest #fish and #shellfish from the #gulfofparia The livelihood of these #fisherfolk are dependent on a healthy marine environment.
[4] In the event of an oil spill in the #gulfofparia, any #fish or #shellfish that is harvested from the marine environment may be contaminated and thus rendered unfit for human consumption. The local supply of #fish and #shellfish will therefore be impacted.
![[4] In the event of an oil spill in the #gulfofparia, any #fish or #shellfish that is harvested from the marine environment may be contaminated and thus rendered unfit for human consumption. The local supply of #fish and #shellfish will therefore be impacted.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekd1BpaWMAEb-dc.jpg "[4] In the event of an oil spill in the #gulfofparia, any #fish or #shellfish that is harvested from the marine environment may be contaminated and thus rendered unfit for human consumption. The local supply of #fish and #shellfish will therefore be impacted.")
[5] Along the western coast of #TrinidadandTobago, we also have a number of important #wetlands. Examples include the (i) Caroni Swamp, a RAMSAR site and the largest mangrove swamp in #TrinidadandTobago and, (ii) Godineau Swamp, the third largest wetland in T&T.
![[5] Along the western coast of #TrinidadandTobago, we also have a number of important #wetlands. Examples include the (i) Caroni Swamp, a RAMSAR site and the largest mangrove swamp in #TrinidadandTobago and, (ii) Godineau Swamp, the third largest wetland in T&T.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekd2cdHWMAIbp66.jpg "[5] Along the western coast of #TrinidadandTobago, we also have a number of important #wetlands. Examples include the (i) Caroni Swamp, a RAMSAR site and the largest mangrove swamp in #TrinidadandTobago and, (ii) Godineau Swamp, the third largest wetland in T&T.")
[6] Any oil that makes its way to these important #wetlands will of course have negative impacts on these #ecosystems and on the organisms that live there. Shown here are mangrove oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae) on the prop roots of red mangrove (Rhizophorae mangle).
![[6] Any oil that makes its way to these important #wetlands will of course have negative impacts on these #ecosystems and on the organisms that live there. Shown here are mangrove oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae) on the prop roots of red mangrove (Rhizophorae mangle).](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekd3KvLWkAMOrfw.jpg "[6] Any oil that makes its way to these important #wetlands will of course have negative impacts on these #ecosystems and on the organisms that live there. Shown here are mangrove oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae) on the prop roots of red mangrove (Rhizophorae mangle).")
[7] Here in #TrinidadandTobago, our #wetlands provide us with a number of important #ecosystem services (shoreline stabilization, carbon sequestration, recreational activities such as bird watching, fishing, etc).
![[7] Here in #TrinidadandTobago, our #wetlands provide us with a number of important #ecosystem services (shoreline stabilization, carbon sequestration, recreational activities such as bird watching, fishing, etc).](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekd4RtnXIAIUQBR.jpg "[7] Here in #TrinidadandTobago, our #wetlands provide us with a number of important #ecosystem services (shoreline stabilization, carbon sequestration, recreational activities such as bird watching, fishing, etc).")
[8] Along the western coast of #Trinidad, there are also a number of #beaches that are used by locals for recreational activities. An #oilspill in the #gulfofparia will therefore pose a threat to the quality of these #coastal #environments.
![[8] Along the western coast of #Trinidad, there are also a number of #beaches that are used by locals for recreational activities. An #oilspill in the #gulfofparia will therefore pose a threat to the quality of these #coastal #environments.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekd5I3QXYAEBUWK.jpg "[8] Along the western coast of #Trinidad, there are also a number of #beaches that are used by locals for recreational activities. An #oilspill in the #gulfofparia will therefore pose a threat to the quality of these #coastal #environments.")
[9] This therefore is a call to action! I join my voice with those that have already spoken before. Let's be proactive rather than reactive. We here in #TrinidadandTobago are very much dependent on a healthy marine environment!
![[9] This therefore is a call to action! I join my voice with those that have already spoken before. Let's be proactive rather than reactive. We here in #TrinidadandTobago are very much dependent on a healthy marine environment!](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekd7HDSXYAITle9.jpg "[9] This therefore is a call to action! I join my voice with those that have already spoken before. Let's be proactive rather than reactive. We here in #TrinidadandTobago are very much dependent on a healthy marine environment!")
