FAO recognises Speyside community conservation efforts with global award

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has award Speyside, a fishing village on Tobago’s northeastern coast, global recognition as an FAO Village.

“The community’s steadfast work to preserve these precious maritime habitats deserves to be acknowledged,” said Dr Gillian Smith, FAO Representative (ad interim) for Trinidad and Tobago. “They have stepped up as custodians of their environment, creating and maintaining a sustainable blue economy and agrifood systems that benefit the community and the delicate ecosystems entrusted to them.”

Speyside was among the first villages to be recognised under the FAO Villages Recognition initiative, which was launched as part of the FAO’s 80th anniversary celebrations last year.

Dr Smith presented the certificate of recognition to Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary the Honourable Farley Augustine during a courtesy call at his office in Calder Hall, Tobago, on Tuesday, 23 June. Mr Augustine, who is also the representative for Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside, was born and raised in Speyside, and welcomed the commendation.

“Speyside is not just a village I represent. It is the village that shaped me. I grew up watching my fellow villagers stand as quiet but fierce guardians of Little Tobago. To see Speyside recognised by the FAO isdefinitely a testament to the dedication of every man, woman, and young person in the community to protect our natural treasures,” Mr Augustine said.

FAO Villages is aligned with the organization’s vision of Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life – leaving no one behind. It acknowledges the essential contribution of rural villages to sustainable agrifood systems, biodiversity conservation, food culture and preservation of local knowledge.

Speyside is world famous for its natural heritage. The waters off the coast are world renowned dive sites featuring one of the largest brain coral formations in the western hemisphere, supporting diverse marine life. The community plays a pivotal role in the preservation of Little Tobago, an island just a short boat ride away, often called a birdwatcher’s paradise because of the abundance of seabirds that roost and breed there. The Speyside community takes pride in its environmental stewardship, pioneering sustainable tourism and fishing practices based traditional knowledge that continues to be passed on to the younger generations.

FAO has previously supported the community though forest management programmes that train local conservationists.