The National Policy and Programmes on Wetland Conservation for Trinidad and Tobago 2002.

The National Policy and Programmes on Wetland Conservation for Trinidad and Tobago 2002 provide a framework through which to direct efforts at the protection and wise use of the nation's wetland resource heritage. The goal is to protect, manage and restore wetlands in order to sustain and enhance their ecological and socio-economic values and function for current and future generations.
Wetlands are an integral part of the natural environment of Trinidad and Tobago. A wide range of resources is derived from the State's swamps and marshes. These provide employment and income to large numbers of people, particularly at the level of the traditional subsistence economies and village communities. Directly exploitable resources include timber, charcoal, tannins, honey, medicinal plants, fish, oysters, mussels, conch and shrimp - the hunting of ducks and other waterfowl centres on wetland areas, as does much of the sport fishing. Despite their obvious value, more than 50% of the original wetland area of Trinidad and Tobago has disappeared. There is an urgent need, therefore, for a clear policy for wetland conservation including both protection and usage aspects.
The government interventions towards sustainable development and poverty reduction will focus on: 1) the development of wetland policies including promotion of awareness and understanding of wetland resources, encouraging the participation of landowners, non-governmental organizations and institutions in wetland conservation; 2) education, public awareness and training programme to provide information on the sustainable use of wetlands; 3) management programme to encourage actions that enhance wetland functions on publicly owned lands and waters; 4) participation in regional and int’l programmes to enhance wetlands conservation; and 5) wetland studies to encourage research advancing wetland conservation and sustainable use of resources.
Regarding governance, the National Wetlands Committee is the lead institution responsible for monitoring the implementation of policy against the identified parameters. A full scale review of the policy will be conducted within 10 years.