 The incoming Dean of the new Faculty of Science and Technology is Professor Indar Ramnarine, a Zoology Professor (Fisheries Management and Aquaculture). Professor Ramnarine who has studied various aspects of fish biology and has done much research on cascadu and tilapia, is also Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Marine Affairs. He shared some of his views on the role he takes up officially on August 1, 2012 with UWI Today.
It’s been 35 years since you connected with The UWI as an undergraduate student in agriculture, and since 1985 when you joined the staff as a teaching assistant in the Zoology Department, you’ve been teaching at UWI almost continuously since then. For someone so young it is a long time and you would have seen many changes. In terms of the Faculty of Science and Agriculture, can you give an idea of what it was like when you first met?
As a student of the former Faculty of Agriculture, what I remember most clearly was that there were many regional and international students in our faculty. This has decreased in the past few years in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture, but the tide seems to be turning once again, thanks to admissions staff in the Registry and also the International Office. As a member of staff in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture, classes were small and we knew the names of all our students. The number of degree options that students had in those days was relatively limited.
What has been the most significant development that took place while you were there?
The most significant development has been the increase in the number of students in the faculty and the UWI. When I was a student, the student population at UWI St Augustine was about 3,000. Now, in the new Faculty of Science and Technology, the student population is about 3,000, and 18,000 at the St. Augustine Campus.
What shaped your interest in aquatic life? Was there some influence from where you grew up?
I have always been interested in aquatic life. I grew up in the village of Carapichaima in Central Trinidad. I lived about two miles from the sea and also spent a lot of time in Mayaro. My brother-in-law owned a fishing boat and I spent a lot of time out at sea. As an undergraduate student, I met Professor Julian S. Kenny and he sparked my interest in Fisheries and Aquaculture. He was my PhD supervisor and had a great impact on my professional career.
What do you think are the biggest challenges to the fisheries or fishing industry in the country and region?
Our fisheries are over-exploited and the biggest problem is over-fishing. There are simply too many boats and fishers going after declining fish stocks. This leads to over-exploitation of the fish stocks and can result in collapsed fisheries. We have seen this occurring in various parts of the world. Pollution and destruction of critical habitats are also serious problems.
What recommendations can you make?
In the case of Trinidad and Tobago, the fisheries regulations are dated (1916) and need to be revised and enacted. We need to move away from open access fisheries to fisheries that are regulated by use of a licensing system. There needs to be continuous fish stock assessment and determination of total allowable catches on an annual basis. There needs to be modification to fishing gear, such as an appropriate increase in the mesh size of gill-nets and use of by-catch reduction devices in shrimp trawls, and biodegradable panels in fish pots. The gill-net and trawl fisheries are the most important fisheries in the country. Once new regulations have been approved and enacted, there needs to be monitoring and enforcement of these regulations.
In terms of the separation of the Faculties (the Faculty of Science and Agriculture becomes a Faculty of Food and Agriculture and a Faculty of Science and Technology from August 1, 2012), what jumps out at you as the most obvious benefits?
I believe that these new Faculties will have their own priorities and vision and will be able to focus on their particular strategic objectives and goals. We will no longer be in the shadow of anyone but have the opportunity to shine.
What is your vision for the Faculty under your deanship?
First of all, I need to acknowledge the tremendous effort of Professor Dyer Narinesingh, the outgoing Dean of the Faculty of Science and Agriculture and wish him all the best in his retirement. Through his effort and that of Principal Clement Sankat, these two new faculties have been created.
My vision is to transform the Faculty to a first choice faculty. Ably assisted by all staff in the FST, we will expand and strengthen the offerings in traditional science disciplines such as chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science and biological sciences. We will also develop and expand exciting and important areas in technology such as Biotechnology, Information Technology, Environmental Technology, Alternative Energy Technology and Medical Physics, to name a few.
What challenges do you see?
Our major challenge will be competition from other TLIs but I believe that competition is good. This would encourage us to excel in what we do. Another challenge would be declining financial resources but this would encourage us to be more efficient and minimize wastage.
Have you ever eaten cascadu? Isn’t it cascadura?
The fish is known by many names. In Trinidad is it called Cascadoo, Cascadu, Cascadura, Cascadoux, or Cascaradura. It is called Hassar, Hoplo, Atipa, Kwi-Kwi and Quey-Quey in South American countries. I used to eat cascadu before I did my PhD (which was on the cascadu) but having spent a lot of time in getting them to survive and grow, it is now difficult for me to eat this fish. The cascadu is my favourite fish due to its remarkable biology and very interesting behaviour, and I prefer to see the fish alive! |
