Fish and shrimp samples from the Gulf of Paria indicate that seafood is safe for consumption

After two episodes of mass fish mortality in early February and late July to early August 2016 in the Gulf of Paria, the Ministry of Planning and Development initiated the testing of fish and shrimp samples to determine the safety of local fish stock originating from the Gulf for human consumption.  Tests were carried out for the presence of heavy metals, carcinogens, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and concentrations of the dispersant component DOSS (used to determine the presence of oil dispersant COREXIT 95).

Two US-based laboratories were contracted through the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) to conduct the testing – the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), which is a branch of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the US Department of Commerce and Eurofins Frontier Global Sciences.

A Multi-Agency Committee was convened by the Honourable Minister of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis, comprising: the Environmental Management Authority (EMA); the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA); the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI); Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries; Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO); Public Health Division, Ministry of Health; Sea Food Industry Development Company (SIDC) and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory of Trinidad and Tobago to determine the contaminants to be tested and the protocol for collection of the fish and shrimp samples.

On September 30, 2016 fish and shrimp samples were taken from seven (7) landing sites – Orange Valley, Claxton Bay, King’s Wharf, Carenage, Cedros, La Brea and Icacos and shipped to the relevant labs.   Final results were received on January 10, 2017.  The fish species sampled were red fish, carite, cro cro, salmon, catfish along with white/cork shrimp.

In terms of heavy metals, the samples were tested for the following contaminants - Methyl Mercury; Mercury; Chromium; Nickel; Copper; Zinc; Inorganic Arsenic; Total Arsenic; Cadmium; Lead; Vanadium. The results indicate that the fish and shrimp sampled from the seven (7) landing sites were safe for human consumption.   

In terms of the tests conducted for the presence of carcinogens, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and concentrations of the dispersant component DOSS, the results indicate:

(i)                 concentrations of carcinogens in the fish and shrimp samples were below the limits of quantitation or when detected, were found at low levels;

(ii)               concentrations of DOSS were lower than the level of concern (LOC) established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response in the Gulf of Mexico.

Therefore, the fish and shrimp sampled from the seven (7) landing sites on September 30, 2016 were deemed safe for human consumption 
 

The Honourable Minister of Planning and Development, Camille Robinson-Regis would like to add that The Ministry of Planning and Development, the Ministry of Energy and the EMA will be intensifying collaborative efforts with Petrotrin to determine the root cause of oil spill events and to develop a comprehensive plan for monitoring, evaluation and remediation.

Minister of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis receives a token from The High Commissioner to Canada Her Excellency Carla Hogan Rufelds during a recent courtesy call.

Collaborating with Canada for National Development on the agenda

Minister of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis receives a token from The High Commissioner to Canada Her Excellency Carla Hogan Rufelds during a recent courtesy call. 

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Canadian Government have demonstrated an interest in further collaboration through technical cooperation and support.  Among the different areas of interest shared between Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis and Canadian High Commissioner Carla Hogan Rufelds, preservation of the culture of our indigenous people in the identified areas of Siparia and Arima is one possibility.  Another key area of interest in the economic development of Trinidad and Tobago is Maritime Industry expansion, identified by T&T’s Government as a major area of economic transformation along with the IT sector.  Discussions between the two Governments have been focused on the activities Trinidad and Tobago is currently undertaking in alignment with the country’s National Development Strategy and the mutual benefit for both parties, which are based on their individual strategic areas of development.  Other sectors discussed include information and communication technology, security, governance, culture, transportation systems, environmental and infrastructural development.

Another point of interest is the opportunity to advance our climate change agenda through technical cooperation for reduced carbon emissions. The High Commissioner noted that climate change is also priority for the Prime Minister of Canada, coming out of the Paris Agreement and a main focus for her office.  Similarly, Minister Robinson-Regis underlined her Ministry’s role as the key environmental Ministry and the work done to reduce ozone impacting gases in the A/C and refrigeration sectors as well as Trinidad and Tobago’s progressive attitude and national interest in sustainable technologies such as wind and solar and renewable resources; an area which she hopes Trinidad and Tobago successfully transitions into, as well as our focus on revenue earning sectors that are not oil and gas oriented.

The Minister of Planning and Development received a courtesy call from The High Commissioner to Canada her Excellency Carla Hogan Rufelds on January 13, 2017.

The history of bilateral relations between Trinidad and Tobago and Canada dates back to 1938 These relations were formalized immediately after Trinidad and Tobago became an independent country, with the opening of the High Commission of Canada in Port-of-Spain in 1962.