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ST GEORGE’S, Grenada – Grenada government officials from the Ministries of the Environment, Agriculture and Tourism; academia and NGO representatives, participated in a workshop on the sensitization of coastal zone management issues.

The workshop, sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment in collaboration with the government of Korea comes as the US$500,000 project on the research from Telescope in St Andrew to Point Salines, St George, the southeastern and south coast of Grenada is wrapping up.

Senior environment officer in the Ministry of the Environment Paul Phillip said Grenadians need to be more aware of what is going on in the coastal environment and its importance.

“We must try to make the necessary changes in our lives that would reflect positively on the management of coastal resources,” he said.

One of the major issues affecting Grenada, especially on the east coast, is the protection of mangroves.

Phillip also pointed to issues with sand mining as another major challenge.

Minister for Works Denneth Modeste, speaking behalf of Minister for the Environment Sen. George Prime, said he welcomes the workshop which will be able to bring about a management plan Grenada can implement for a better future for all citizens. He said the need for infrastructural development cannot be over-emphasized.

He said a lot of hard work has been done in developing the coastal profile on the south and southeastern coast of Grenada as a starting point since the inception of the project in 2011. Modeste added that the workshop and subsequent consultations is a necessary first step in the development of a management plan for the coastal zone.

Yoon Sungsoon, South Korean representative, said Grenada and Korea have experienced numerous problems related to the ocean and coast and have finally learned lessons of the importance of their conservation.

He said they have put forth a multilateral effort in dealing with or solving those problems for a long time. He added that it is now time to share the "knowhow" from their research which he hopes would contribute to the enhancement of the ability to manage the coast and oceans of Grenada.

Through this project, Grenada and Korea will be able to deepen the mutual bond and friendship in the international community and share the outcomes of the project. A number of Korean experts made presentations at the workshop discussing problems and solutions common to both countries.

Participants welcomed the workshop, which they described as a step in the right direction.

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