Trinidadian Marine Biologist Dr. Diva Amon Wins Anthony N Sabga Award

Dr. Diva Amon, a Trinidadian-born deep-sea marine biologist, has been jointly awarded the Anthony N Sabga Award alongside Dr. Morris Scantlebury, a paediatric neurologist. The award, which comes with a $250,000 prize, was presented at the Caribbean Excellence Awards gala held at the Hilton in Barbados on May 25, 2024.

In her acceptance speech, Dr. Amon expressed her humility and honor in sharing the award with Dr. Scantlebury. She stated, "Thank you so much to the awards' founders and the team who created and executed this unique recognition for exceptional Caribbean leaders. There's something truly special about this initiative, which is built by Caribbean people for the Caribbean."

Dr. Amon, who has collaborated with actor Will Smith on the National Geographic series 'Welcome to Earth,' highlighted the importance of effective stewardship of the world's oceans. She described the ocean as "our greatest lifeline" and emphasized the chronic undervaluation of marine science, especially in the Caribbean.

She warned about the urgent issues of deep-sea pollution and the potential threat of destructive industries like deep-sea mining. Dr. Amon stressed the need for further exploration and understanding of the underwater world to prevent the loss of valuable ecosystems.

Why this matters: Dr. Amon's award and advocacy for marine science and conservation have broader implications for the health of the world's oceans and the ecosystems they support. If we fail to address deep-sea pollution and destructive industries, we risk losing valuable ecosystems and facing catastrophic consequences.

Reflecting on her personal experiences, Dr. Amon shared anecdotes from her childhood, including a powerful memory of discovering a dead manatee on a beach in Barbados, which ignited her passion for marine biology. She expressed appreciation to her mother and the awards committee for recognizing the value of science and the efforts of those who have chosen the *"challenging road."*

Dr. Amon called for increased funding to support Caribbean individuals pursuing unconventional paths to create change and find solutions. Despite the challenges, she remains hopeful, believing that the award will help "make the light that we shine on the deep ocean so much brighter" and uplift students to co-create ocean solutions.

Dr. Amon urged action to preserve the deep ocean and its *"remarkably delicate and vital ecosystems"* for future generations to experience.

Key Takeaways

• Dr. Diva Amon wins Anthony N Sabga Award with $250,000 prize.
• She advocates for marine science and conservation in the Caribbean.
• Deep-sea pollution and mining threaten ocean ecosystems.
• Dr. Amon calls for increased funding for Caribbean change-makers.
• She urges action to preserve the deep ocean for future generations.