Varoon Caribbean Studies Ia.docx

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NAME: Varoon Mohan TOPIC: The Impacts of Water Pollution on the Fishing Industry in Chaguaramas, Trinidad SCHOOL: Vishnu Boys Hindu College TEACHER: Mrs. Kavita Francis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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SECTION INTRODUCTION LITERATURE REVIEW DATA COLLECTION SOURCES PRESENTATION OF DATA ANALYSIS OF DATA DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS CONCLUSION REFERENCES

PAGE NUMBER 3 5 6 7-9 10-11 12-13 14 15

APPENDICES

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TOPIC: THE IMPACTS OF WATER POLLUTION ON THE FISHING INDUSTRY IN CHAGURARAMAS TRINIDAD

INTRODUCTION Problem Statement How has water pollution impacted the fishing industry in Chaguaramas, Trinidad? Statement of the Problem

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The researcher chose this topic because of the perceived impact of water pollution on the fishing industry in Chaguaramas, Trinidad. In Trinidad, water pollution is prevalent and significantly affects the marine life. This study is geared towards the area of Chaguaramas and its inhabitants. Although this study will focus on persons who are involved in the fishing industry in Chaguaramas, generalizations would be made about the impact of water pollution on the fishing industry throughout Trinidad. Purpose of the Research This Internal Assessment is being undertaken to satisfy the requirements of the CAPE Caribbean Studies syllabus. The writer also aims to improve his critical thinking and writing skills. Educational Value The researcher sees a lot of educational value arising out of this research which includes: providing research for students, providing information for future researchers and helping to shape government policies in relation to water pollution.

Definition of Terms 1. Water Pollution- Water pollution is defined as the presence in groundwater of toxic chemicals and biological agents that exceed what is naturally found in the water and may pose a threat to human health and/or the environment. 2. Impact- a marked effect or influence.

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3. Fishing Industry- The fishing industry includes any industry or activity concerned with taking, culturing, processing, preserving, storing, transporting, marketing or selling fish or fish products. Research Questions 1. What is water pollution? 2. What are the impacts of water pollution on the fishing industry? 3. How can the impact of water pollution be reduced to lessen the effect on the

fishing industry?

LITERATURE REVIEW A variety of sources were examined to describe the impacts of water pollution on the fishing industry in Chaguaramas, Trinidad. These sources were then used to obtain answers for the research questions.

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Shane (2018) proposed that the term ‘water pollution’ generally refers to changes in the quality of water usually due to human activities. He further stated that it is the contamination of any body of water with materials that are considered harmful to human health and the environment. Rick (2018) suggested that when toxic substances enter the ocean, they can harm or kill fishes. This continuous depletion in the population would lead to a shortage of fishes to be caught. Consequently, the fishes that are caught will be on sale for very high prices and probably would not sell. Additionally, there would be an increased need for importation of fishes which would have a negative effect on the fishing industry and the economy. Rajesh (2018) recommended that there needs to be effective waste management services being utilized to ensure that all waste is disposed properly or either be recycled. This would lead to drains not being clogged which means less flooding and hence less harmful substances emptied into the ocean. It can be deduced that water pollution has negatively affected the fishing industry. During this research, information was obtained from books, the internet and other reliable sources. An interview was also conducted to gather additional information.

DATA COLLECTION SOURCES This study involves the impact of water pollution on the fishing industry in Chaguaramas, Trinidad. To complete this study, information was retrieved from

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questionnaires and an interview. The information was collected during the period of October and November, 2018. The employees and persons involved in the fishing industry were randomly chosen to take part in the survey. 50 persons were each given a questionnaire during the morning and lunch periods of October 10th, 2018 and were collected at lunch time the next day. The questionnaire comprised of fifteen questions, ten close ended and five open ended. The method of questionnaires was selected due to the fact that they obtain a large amount of information in a time conserving manner. However, the accuracy of the data collected can be compromised if the participants misunderstand the questions. A fisherman involved with the fishing industry, Mr. Arjun Ramnarine was interviewed to fulfil the purpose of acquiring additional information. The interview was done on October 9th, 2018 during the lunch period of 12:00p.m to 1:00p.m. The interviewee was asked a total of ten questions. His answers were mostly objective and sometimes subjective.

PRESENTATION OF DATA Introduction

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The aim of this research was to determine how water pollution has impacted the fishing industry in Chaguaramas, Trinidad. The data collected is represented in the following diagrams. Question Two. Does water pollution affect the fishing industry?

Does water pollution affect the fishing industry?

2.00%

No

Yes

98.00%

Figure 1: Pie chart showing the percentages of persons that believe water pollution affects the fishing industry.

Out of the fifty questionnaires given out, 98% agrees that water pollution affects the fishing industry while 2% disagrees.

Question Four. What is the main cause of water pollution? CHOICES

PERCENTAGE OF PERSONS WHO CHOSE

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SEWAGE OIL SPILLAGE ILLEGAL DUMPING OF WASTE

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THE CORRESPONDNG ANSWER 34% 6% 60% TOTAL= 100%

Figure 2.Table showing the percentages of persons that believe water pollution is mainly caused by sewage, oil spillage or illegal dumping of waste.

Out of the fifty questionnaires given out, 34% agrees with sewage, 6% agrees with oil spillage and 60% agrees with illegal dumping of waste.

Question Two. What is the most effective way to reduce water pollution?

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100%

1

9 2

3

90% 80% 70% 60%

60%

50% 40% 28%

30% 20%

12%

10% 0% DISPOSE WASTE PROPERLY

RECYCLE

EDUCATE THE PUBLIC

Figure 3. Bar graph showing the percentages of persons that believe water pollution can be reduced by disposing of waste properly, recycling or educating of the public.

Out of the fifty questionnaires given out, 60% agrees with disposing of waste properly, 28% agrees with recycling and 12% agrees with educating of the public.

ANALYSIS OF DATA

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In the presentation of data, a number of figures and tables were presented. These figures and tables present data which were gathered from the questionnaires. This data will be further analysed. In figure 1, the respondents were questioned on whether water pollution affects the fishing industry. Out of the fifty persons surveyed, 98% agreed that water pollution affects the fishing industry while 2% disagreed. It can be assumed that the majority agreed that water pollution affects the fishing industry because if waterways become polluted, then this goes into the ocean and this could have detrimental effects on the marine life. In figure 2, the respondents were questioned on the main cause of water pollution. Out of the fifty persons surveyed, 34% agreed with sewage, 6% agreed with oil spillage and 60% agreed with illegal dumping of waste. It can be assumed that the majority believed that illegal dumping of waste is the main cause if it was properly dealt with, then there wouldn’t be any toxic substances emptied into the oceans. In figure 3, the respondents were questioned on the most effective way to reduce water pollution. Out of the fifty persons surveyed, 60% agreed with disposing of waste properly, 28% agreed with recycling and 12% agreed with educating the public. It can be assumed that the majority believe that proper disposal of waste would help with water pollution the most because if less chemicals entered the water, then the marine life would be significantly less affected. The data that was analysed suggested that pollution has a negative impact on marine life and the population throughout Tobago. This data will be further analysed in the Discussion of Findings.

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DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS The Internal Assessment seeks to investigate the impact of water pollution on the fishing industry in Chaguaramas, Trinidad. The information for this study was gathered

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through the use of a questionnaire and an interview. This data was presented in a number of diagrams and the information gathered will now be compared to the Literature Review. Figure one, referred to if water pollution affected the fishing industry. Ninetyeight percent agreed that water pollution affects the fishing industry while two percent disagrees. Water pollution harms fish population in various ways. Based on https://www.the71percent.org, when nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous wash into waterways from fertilizers, they deplete oxygen in the water that the fish need to survive. Therefore, if the fish population decreases then the fishing industry will be negatively affected. Figure two referred to the main cause of water pollution. Thirty-four percent agreed with sewage, six percent agreed with oil spillage and sixty percent agreed with illegal dumping of waste. According to https://www.commonfloor.com , industrial wastes contain harmful chemicals and toxins which make the water poisonous for aquatic animals and plants. They also contain pollutants like asbestos, lead, mercury and petrochemicals which are extremely harmful to both people and environment. Figure three referred to the most effective way to reduce water population. Sixty percent agreed with disposing of waste properly, twenty-eight percent agreed with recycling and twelve percent agreed with educating the public. Rajesh (2018) recommended that there needs to be effective waste management services being utilized to ensure that all waste is disposed properly or either be recycled. This would lead to drains not being clogged which means less flooding and hence less harmful substances emptied into the ocean.

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CONCLUSION This Internal Assessment focused on the impacts of water pollution on the fishing industry in Chaguaramas, Trinidad. There were a lot of negative impacts in terms of how

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the water pollution affected the quality of water that the fishes and other marine life lived in. Therefore, it can be said that water pollution has a negative effect on the fishing industry. These effects of water pollution should be broadcasted to the public so they would be aware and help devise ways to reduce it. limitations: In conducting this research, the following limitations may have occurred: 1. There was minimal local research resources relating to the topic, therefore international sources were used. 2. In answering the questionnaire, some respondents may have been dishonest. Recommendations: The following recommendations can be considered: 1. Farmers should decrease their use of fertilizers and pesticides as they contain harmful chemicals which can then reach into oceans and affect the quality of marine life there. 2. The government should ensure that there are effective sewage management and treatment services implemented to prevent water pollution. 3. The public should be made aware of what exactly is water pollution, the causes of it as well as measures they can take to prevent it.

REFERENCES Websites https://www.commonfloor.com/guide/what-are-the-major-causes-of-water-pollution-in-india27741.html

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https://www.the71percent.org/how-are-fish-affected-by-water-pollution/

Personal communication Arjun Ramnarine, Interview, October 10th, 2018.

APPPENDICES Questionnaire 1. What is water pollution? 2. Does water pollution affect the fishing industry?

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○Yes

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○No

3. If ‘yes’, how? 4. What is the main cause of water pollution? ○Sewage

○Oil Spillage

○Illegal Dumping Of Waste

5. What is the most effective way to reduce water pollution? ○Dispose Waste Properly 6.

○Recycle

○Educate The Public

How critical of an issue is water pollution? ○Not Important

○Important

○Very Important

7. Justify your answer 8. Do you contribute to water pollution? ○Yes

○No

9. If ‘yes’, how? 10. Is water pollution a problem in your area? ○Yes

○No

11. Do you as an individual do anything to reduce water pollution? ○Yes

○No

12. Do you think the public is aware enough about the issue of water pollution and how it affects the fishing industry? ○Yes

○No

13. If ‘no’, do you think informing and educating the public about the issue could help reduce the problem? ○Yes

○No

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14. Do you think the government should be more involved in reducing the issue of water pollution? ○Yes

○No

15. If ‘yes’, what can the government specifically do to help reduce the issue?

Interview Questions 1. What do you understand by the term ‘water pollution’? 2. What do you think are some causes of water pollution? 3. How do you think water pollution impacts the fishing industry? 4. What do you think are some ways to mitigate the impacts of water pollution on the fishing industry? 5. Do you think the economy is affected when the fishing industry is affected? If so, how? 6. Do you or anyone in your community contribute to water pollution? If so, how? 7. What do you think about the level of education and information that the public has in terms of water pollution and how it affects the fishing industry 8. Do you think that educating the public about water pollution and its negative effects would lead to a decrease in water pollution? 9. How do you think water pollution impacts the tourism industry? 10. To what extent is water pollution is a health hazard?

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