Senior fisheries and marine specialist Professor Robin Mahon is calling on Government to introduce environmental protection and management legislation, as he raised concern that Barbados was falling short on the protection of some of its natural wetlands.The Professor Emeritus of the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES), was reacting to a recent proposal for a major marine development planned for the St Lawrence Gap area.“I think we are falling short,” Mahon told Barbados TODAY, as he questioned how Barbados could be about addressing climate change when such a development on the popular south coast area was being considered.“The Prime Minister has certainly done a lot of talking about climate change and saying really good things on the world stage, yet still, here we are not walking the walk. We are still willing to consider digging out, and all be it, a very small swamp, but it has climate change implications,” he indicated.The respected marine biologist argued that the planned development could lead to “the destruction of a wetland where reeds, sedges and other vegetation are sequestering carbon”.“Yes, it is small, but everything here in Barbados is small, and we need to get serious about ensuring that the many small bits of wetland, woodland, dune land and other habitats are kept and managed for the social and economic benefits of all,” said Mahon.
