Tobago Launches Extensive Beach Profiling to Combat Coastal Erosion

Scarborough, Tobago – In a proactive move to safeguard its vital coastline, the Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and Urban Development’s (DIQUD) Coastal Zone Management Unit, in collaboration with the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), is currently conducting an extensive beach profiling exercise across various beaches in Tobago. This initiative is designed to meticulously collect, monitor, and assess crucial data on coastal changes.

According to information from DIQUD, Tobago’s beaches have been under relentless attack from coastal erosion. This environmental phenomenon has significant repercussions, impacting not only leisure and business activities that rely on the pristine shores but also severely compromising the island’s natural ability to protect itself from severe weather conditions, including storm surges and high waves.

Understanding how the beaches change over time is a paramount concern for environmental agencies and departments. The Division emphasized that beach profiling is a sure way to capture this dynamic phenomenon. By mapping changes over a protracted period, teams can develop precise and effective measures to protect and preserve Tobago’s environmental assets.

The Division is urging the public to actively cooperate by respecting the vital benchmarks installed at the beaches, as these markers are essential for accurate data collection and the success of this critical coastal protection effort. This ongoing research is key to developing long-term strategies for coastal zone management in Tobago and ensuring the resilience of its precious shorelines.