Trinidad and Tobago received a yellow card from the EU for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, highlighting systemic issues in fisheries management. Local fish stocks are overexploited, leading to increased seafood imports. The country's outdated fisheries legislation is being revised to address IUU fishing and improve sustainability. The FAO estimates that 20-30% of the Caribbean catch is IUU, costing hundreds of millions of dollars. Improved management is needed for endangered species like sharks, and the Port State Measures Agreement could help reduce IUU fishing.

Pesquera Diamante, Peru's third-largest fishing company, has completed a USD 2 million retrofit of a fishing boat to harvest fish for human consumption.

A lost fishing net causing the death of hundreds of fish and sharks was discovered by a UK diver in the Cayman Islands' waters. Despite efforts, Cayman Island authorities have not been able to locate and retrieve the net. The incident highlights the issue of ghost fishing, which the FAO is addressing through new voluntary guidelines on marking fishing gear to reduce marine debris and its impacts.

Seafood remains the primary export of the Turks and Caicos despite illegal practices affecting the islands' fisheries. Turks and Caicos is a British dependency in the Caribbean with a population of fewer than 19,000.

Costa Rica completed its first full evaluation of vessel activities to combat illegal fishing, analyzing over 5,000 vessels with OceanMind's help. OceanMind used machine learning and satellite data to identify over 100 potential illegal activities. The findings will aid the National Coast Guard Service in using new patrol boats for surveillance. OceanMind's technology and expertise are seen as crucial in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

Dynamic Systems Inc., based in Redmond, Washington, U.S.A., has launched SIMBA, a new traceability and real-time inventory system for shellfish processors. The software enables tracking of shellfish from landing at the dock to shipping the final product, capturing data on a tablet at the beach and integrating it into the processing plant's system. It provides real-time data recording, labeling, and tracking, and assists in mass balance checks to prevent seafood fraud. SIMBA also manages mixed lots of fish and streamlines logistics by tracking cartons or pallets onto trucks, automatically producing manifests and bills of lading.

The inequitable distribution of COVID vaccines, which has been a significant issue during the pandemic, is rooted in long-standing disparities within the global pharmaceutical supply chain. These disparities have previously manifested during health crises such as HIV and Ebola and are expected to continue affecting access to vital medicines in the future. The report by IPS Correspondent and IWMF Fellow Jewel Fraser emphasizes that the inequity is an ongoing issue, not just a consequence of the pandemic.

Trinidad and Tobago have been commended for their effective handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, standing out in the Caribbean alongside other nations that have contained the virus well, according to a University of Oxford study. Despite this success, the country faces challenges with wildlife management and illegal hunting, which poses a risk for the outbreak of zoonotic diseases. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has identified 66 endangered or vulnerable species in the nation, with illegal hunting threatening species like the critically endangered Piping Guan. Experts from the University of the West Indies discuss the potential threats to human and animal health due to these practices.

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened awareness of food security issues in the Caribbean, prompting a reevaluation of the region's $5 billion annual food importation. The Food Sustainability Index suggests the need for greater collaboration among governments to prevent a crisis similar to that of 2008. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and an e-commerce food retailer discuss the potential for technology to improve self-sufficiency in the Caribbean.

Trinidad and Tobago launched a Monitoring, Reporting, Verification system to reduce emissions in line with the Paris agreement, despite the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's report suggesting current global efforts are insufficient. Kishan Kumarsingh, lead negotiator for Trinidad and Tobago, expressed optimism about the country's direction. Dr. Leon Sealey-Huggins criticized the focus on technical solutions, which he believes do not address necessary social, political, and economic reorganization. The new MRV system targets emissions from industry, transportation, and power generation. Kumarsingh highlighted progress since Copenhagen, including the Green Climate Fund and discussions on loss and damage. Grenada's former UN Ambassador Dessima Williams emphasized the need for greater action on climate events and financing to address economic impacts and debt burdens.

Grenada is set to launch a USD 42 million water resiliency project in 2019, aimed at making the water sector more resilient to climate change. The project, funded primarily by a USD 35 million grant from the Green Climate Fund, will address water scarcity issues, improve water resource management, and enhance infrastructure to cope with extreme weather. It includes a challenge fund for agriculture and tourism, expansion of the National Water and Sewerage Authority's infrastructure, and retrofitting to reduce leaks and increase storage capacity. The project is part of Grenada's larger climate change initiative with the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit and the United Nations Development Programme.

Grenada is set to launch a USD 42 million water resiliency project in 2019, aimed at making the water sector more resilient to climate change. The project, funded primarily by a USD 35 million grant from the Green Climate Fund, will address water scarcity issues, improve water resource management, and enhance infrastructure to cope with extreme weather. It includes a challenge fund for agriculture and tourism, expansion of the National Water and Sewerage Authority's infrastructure, and retrofitting to reduce leaks and increase storage capacity. The project is part of Grenada's larger climate change initiative and aims to meet Sustainable Development Goals for water.

The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism is collaborating with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization to develop a climate change adaptation protocol for fisheries and aquaculture, aiming to integrate it into the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy before the upcoming hurricane season. The protocol is part of the CC4FISH Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility, and seeks to enhance resilience against climate change impacts in the eastern Caribbean fisheries sector. Consultant Leslie John Walling is drafting the document, with input from various stakeholders, and the protocol is expected to be ready for review by mid-April, with a final review in May by Caribbean ministers.

Tobago is facing severe sargassum seaweed invasions that have impacted its beaches and tourism industry. The Institute of Marine Affairs, with stakeholders, developed a response plan including an early warning system using satellites. Massive sargassum influxes occurred in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and again in 2017, affecting marine life and the economy. The Tobago House of Assembly spent about $500,000 in one year on cleanup. The Trinidad and Tobago government prioritized an Integrated Coastal Zone Management policy to address such climate change impacts, with support from the Inter-American Development Bank.

Haitian artist Tessa Mars developed an alter ego named Tessalines during her residency at Alice Yard in Trinidad, facilitated by the Institut Francais's Visas for Creation program. Tessalines, a blend of Mars's identity and the Haitian revolutionary leader Dessalines, is a bold representation of Mars's spiritual beliefs and national identity. Mars has created 15 portraits of Tessalines, exploring themes of identity, history, and trauma. Her work also includes a series titled 'On the Way to School,' featuring cartoon characters in violent scenarios, reflecting on the violence in Port-au-Prince. Mars's experiences in Trinidad have influenced her artistic approach, leading to new color palettes and the use of empty space in her work. She plans to continue developing Tessalines, potentially through photography and creating a physical space for the character.

Boissiere House, also known as the Gingerbread House, built in 1904 in Trinidad by C.E.H. Boissière, was purchased and restored by the Sammy family, led by patriarch Junior Elgin Sammy. The family, who acquired the property in 2013, faced the challenge of restoring the house without altering its historical value. The restoration, overseen by heritage architect Rudylynn De Four Roberts, earned a historic restoration award from the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago in 2014. The project highlights a rare instance of heritage preservation on the island.

In Trinidad, Dr. Dilip Dan and his wife, Sarita, built their family home following ancient Hindu architectural principles known as Vastu to ensure harmony with natural elements and to foster happiness, good health, and prosperity. The home is designed to be well-lit and airy, in alignment with the sun's movement. Vastu principles, as described by the Maharishi University of Management, aim to support daily activities by aligning room placement with the sun's energies for a life in accord with natural law.

In Trinidad, known for its traditional gingerbread architecture, local architects, including Mark Raymond, have created contemporary homes that utilize the hilly terrain. Raymond built a 3,250-square-foot residence for $400,000 in the Cascade suburbs, featuring local teak floors, African wenge wood trims, and custom-made steel-framed doors.