Abstract

Marine park managers can now use advanced three-dimensional topographic models of the Buccoo Reef area for routine planning and management decisions. Buccoo Reef marine complex lies in the south-west of Tobago. Its marine-oriented activities grew in the last few decades, and have led to the reef to become a primary marine tourist attraction in Trinidad and Tobago. Recognition of the resource value and the potential contribution of the reef to the national economy, it was designated in 1973, as the country's only marine restricted area, under the Marine Act, 1970. Geographic data on the Buccoo Reef Marine Park was used to build a digital 3D Map of the Continental Shelf using ArcGIS. Similar to terrain resources on land, the model can be used to better understand how the shape of underwater seascapes affects currents, sea temperatures, larval dispersion and sediment movements. Depth is a major predictor for water quality, exposure to sunlight and benthic biology, and this can predict the effects of water temperatures on corals and understand how and where coral bleaching occurs. The 3D model will help in mapping the distribution of habitats for marine park zoning and provide a template from which to build a picture of interconnectivity between the island’s underwater terrain, plant and animal diversity, and ocean influences.

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