Kalain Hosein
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) is taking another step to make the country more disaster-risk resilient.
On Wednesday, the TTMS hosted the “Improving Marine Meteorological and Oceanographic Services in Trinidad and Tobago” workshop, with support from the Caribbean Meteorological Organization and the World Meteorological Organization.
With nearly 40,000 people reliant on fisheries and aquaculture in Trinidad and Tobago for their livelihood, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Utilities Cherryl-Ann Solomon said the TTMS’ workshop would bring the Met Office closer to the reality of an organization that can provide weather and climate services that can stand the test of the times.
The workshop highlighted the TTMS’ many products they disseminate to various stakeholders across the country regarding marine forecasting, early warning, and climate outlooks.
According to the Met Office’s Communications Officer Camille Graham-Hall, “We are currently in the process of improving our marine and ocean meteorological services capacity. Through this workshop, the Met Service will gain a better understanding of the needs within the maritime communities, which will inform the development of our user-oriented marine meteorological products and services.”
The Caribbean Meteorological Organization’s (CMO) Coordinating Director, Dr Arlene Laing, applauded the Met Office’s efforts to improve their marine forecasts and products while fulfilling the strategic goals CMO and the long-term goals of the World Meteorological Organization. She explained, “This workshop has far-reaching and innovative outcomes that will benefit the local marine and maritime community in managing the risks that are posed by weather and climate extremes and climate change impacts in the sector. More importantly, it will also benefit trade as this sector is a major contributor to the country’s economy.”
Dr Laing added, “This workshop is responsive to the country’s needs and the evolving needs of users of marine weather data products and services. It is underpinned by a collaborative and people-centred approach, aiming to deliver fit-for-purpose marine meteorological services that are tailored to your needs.”