The Placencia Lagoon - Coastal Zone Management Authority and ...

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
There is growing concern about the current status and fate of the Placencia Lagoon
amidst the changing land use in the adjoining catchments. The destruction of natural
vegetation to construct dwellings, resorts, roads, and aquaculture development is a major
issue in the study area. Another issue that is frequently echoed and poorly substantiated
is the contamination of the lagoon by domestic and industrial effluent.
The first part of this report focuses on the Placencia Lagoon not solely from the
perspective of its immediate borders but rather in the context of the catchments and the
Southern Shelf Lagoon that bear influence on its health. Knowledge about the geological,
hydrological, meteorological and oceanographic characteristics of the zone of influence
on the Placencia Lagoon is essential to understanding its structure and function.
Furthermore, appreciations of the biological and chemical processes that operate therein
are fundamental to determine the lagoons ability to cope with the rising influx of
sediment and effluent loadings. It is in this light that a conscious effort was made to
characterize the lagoon.
The results generated by this research substantiate that the Placencia Lagoon can be
classified as a moderately stratified estuary based on its salinity distribution and
circulation patterns. In addition to this, there is a notably low water exchange rate
between the upper section of the lagoon and the sea. These finding signals how
vulnerable the ecological and environmental conditions of the lagoon are to the impacts
of developmental activities in the area of influence. Without cause for alarm, it is strongly
recommended that future developments be planned to ensure the lowest possible impacts
on the estuarine system.
The second part of this report is an assessment of the water quality in the Placencia
Lagoon. Several water quality surveys were conducted in the lagoon in 2001 and 2003.
Key water quality indicators used to determine the status of the Placencia Lagoon reveal
that it is a healthy estuarine system. This signifies that the conditions therein are
conducive to unimpaired growth and reproduction of estuarine organisms.
It is envisaged that this report will stimulate public discussion about the fate of the
Placencia Lagoon and trigger future monitoring, research and management initiatives in
the area.
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