Abstract

Four fish landing sites on the west coast of Trinidad lie within the area for proposed expansion of an industrial complex. This would increase the complement of industries such as ammonia, methanol, urea, iron, and steel production plants. Such development has the potential to change the present fishety related activities of the four sites. In Trinidad and Tobago tourism, industrial development, conservation, recreational and traditional uses including fishing, all compete for access to the coastal zone often leading to user conflicts. The importance of the fisheries sector needs to be better represented in the broader context of coastal area management.\The fishery related activities at these landing sites were characterised through the use of interviews, trawl surveys, and secondary data from the Fisheries Division and a fishing association. Potential impacts of the proposed development on fishing activities were evaluated based on a programmatic environmental impactassessment conducted by the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA). Two hundred and forty four fisherfolk using seventy-seven fishing boats operate from these landing sites exploiting fish resources mainly in the nearshore and offshore areas of the coastal zone of the Golf of Paria. Changes in the terrestrial and nearshore areas of the coastal zone will result in changes of varying degrees to fishing activities at all landing sites. A major perception by the fisherfolk is the negative impact of increased pollution by this industrial complex on their livelihoods. It is recommended that prior to development any resultant changes, particolarly those that cannot be mitigated, be discussed with fisherfolk through consoltative workshops and meetings. The final design of the expansion of the industrial estate shoold accommodate fishery related activities resolting in the least dismption to the landing sites.

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