National Wildlife Policy 2013.

The National Wildlife Policy is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The goal of the Policy is sustainable management of introduced, resident or migratory undomesticated animals and plants found in Trinidad, their parts or derivatives thereof, and their habitats in order to meet the social, economic, ecological, cultural and spiritual needs of present and future generations and enhance the contribution to the sustainable development of the country.
The contribution of wildlife resources to livelihoods will be optimized. Activities, such as floriculture and horticulture will be promoted as an alternative to the wildlife sector in order to ensure socio-economic development. The effective participation of non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, and civil society stakeholders will be promoted in the management of wild animal and plant resources.
This Policy addresses sustainable use and management of wildlife resources, management of game species, wildlife habitat management. Wildlife resources will be managed as a key component of complex ecological systems, with the maintenance of ecosystem functions and ecological processes as a critical objective. The nationally and globally critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, and threatened wildlife populations will be protected. The species that may be at risk of extinction or extirpation will be protected and restored by (I) establishing national standards and a legally designated national list of animals, plants, fungi; (II) prohibiting the capture, taking, hunting, harassing, possession, offering for sale and export of those species for sport, zoological exhibits or commercial purposes; (III) developing management and recovery plans; (IV) using those species for scientific research through an appropriate permit system; (V) developing public awareness and education programmes; (VI) strengthening penalties for wildlife crimes; and (VII) taking measures against invasive alien species. The viable representative populations of native wildlife species particularly endemics will be maintained to enhance the ecological integrity of wildlife habitats. Furthermore, the conservation and management of the country’s rich wildlife resources and genetic and species diversity will be ensured through effective system of certification, monitoring, and regulation for wildlife farms, protected area management, and legally enforced permit system. Sustainable use of wildlife resources, including hunting, capture of cage birds, captive breeding, artificial propagation and international trade, and non-destructive uses such as ecotourism, and ecosystem services, will be ensured. The Forest and Protected Areas Fund will be established as a mechanism to directly channel funds from users to wildlife and wildlife services in order to ensure the development of mechanisms for the sustainable financing of wildlife management.
Threats against native wildlife, such as introduction of invasive alien species, diseases, pests, natural disasters, and forest fires, will be prevented and mitigated. Early warning systems will be established to detect the impacts of pollution and climate change on important wildlife habitat. The monitoring and surveillance systems at ports of entry will be strengthened to prevent the introduction of invasive alien species. Moreover, the capabilities of border protection agencies, including the Coast Guard, Police Service, Customs and Plant and Animal Quarantine will be strengthened to prevent the illegal transboundary movement of wildlife species. Emergency response protocols will be developed for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, in cases of natural or man-made disasters.
The mechanisms for effective inter-agency and inter-sectoral communication, collaboration and coordination will be strengthened for the coordination of the implementation of the National Wildlife Policy. Relevant policies and programmes will be integrated into this National Wildlife Policy in coordination with the Government and all relevant stakeholders. The participatory monitoring and evaluation of implementation of the National Wildlife Policy will be coordinated by an independent inter-sectoral committee.