Current view: Text account
Site description (2007 baseline):
Site location and context
The west coast mudflats occur along the west coast from Port of Spain to Godineau River. The coast is occupied by a variety of land uses including mangrove swamp, residential areas and heavy industry. Several fishing villages occur along the coast. The Gulf of Paria lies between Trinidad and continental South America. The waters of the gulf are influenced by the outflow of the Orinoco River and are generally brackish, with salinity falling to 10-25 parts per thousand in the wet season
Major congregations of gulls, terns, pelicans and coastal shorebirds in Trinidad can be found in association with the mudflats along the west coast. Indeed this area may represent the most important location for over-wintering gulls in northern South America with an estimated 4000-5000 Laughing Gulls. Populations of herons and ibis, roost in mangrove swamps and feed on the adjacent mudflats. 10000-20000 shorebirds regularly over-winter or are transient visitors to the west coast mudflats. The predominant species are Semipalmated and Western Sandpipers. Visits of Caribbean Flamingo have been increasing in regularity.
Non-bird biodiversity: Other fauna is limited to the benthic invertebrates upon which the shorebirds feed.
The coastal mudflats are contiguous with coastal mangrove at the Caroni Swamp, Godineau Swamp and at a number of minor patches of mangrove. The Gulf of Paria supports a small fishing and shrimping industry. The fishing activities along the coast appear to influence the seabird populations as the congregations of gulls and terns occur at the fishing depots. Much of the coastline is occupied by energy based industries including oil and natural gas facilities, iron and steel production, methanol plants, power stations and a desalination plant. Together with other inland plants contribute to poor quality water entering and within the Gulf of Paria. At some locations high nutrient load of waters appear to benefit the birdlife.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threats are continued industrialization of the west coast of Trinidad and the likely pollution of inland watercourses and the Gulf of Paria. Current plans include the establishment of an offshore aluminum smelter on an artificial island to be built south of San Fernando. Hunting of ibis and herons occurs along the margins of the mangrove. Rising sea level as a result of global warming is likely to greatly impact all coastal ecosystems.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
There have been attempts at planting mangrove along the coast to reduce coastal erosion. A community group in the village of Brickfield, immediately south of Caroni Swamp, has received assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to protect a short but important stretch of coastline for the benefit of the birdlife.
The section of mudflats bordering Caroni Swamp is legally protected, but in general the shoreline is not protected. Several areas adjacent to industrial installations are not accessible.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: West Coast Mudflats (Trinidad and Tobago). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/west-coast-mudflats-iba-trinidad-and-tobago on 22/12/2024.
