Implementing SDG 14: Opportunities and challenges in a Caribbean Small Island Developing State

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015 and included one goal dedicated to the ocean, SDG 14 – conserve and sustainably use the ocean, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. The ocean SDG was successfully championed by Pacific Island Countries with cooperation from other Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The special needs of SIDS are considered within two SDG 14 targets. Trinidad and Tobago is a SIDS located in the Caribbean region, with collectively 704 km of coastline and fifteen times more sea than land space under its territory. The country relies heavily on its marine areas for economic prosperity, but the continued degradation of its coastal and ocean resources and ecosystems has been documented. Despite this, in its Voluntary National Review 2020 on the implementation of the SDGs, SDG 14 was not included. Having passed the mid-way point for SDG implementation, this paper explores the implementation status of SDG 14 in Trinidad and Tobago, and provides recommendations to achieve the SDG 14 targets. Of the four SDG 14 targets that matured in 2020, none has been achieved. However, some progress has been made towards achieving the targets and further opportunities exist, despite the many challenges faced by SIDS. Five key recommendations for Trinidad and Tobago to advance the SDG 14 agenda and achieve the goal within the current decade are provided.