Cassander O’Neal makes her presentation at the conference

Lecturer at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Cassander O’Neal, who is currently on study leave pursuing a Ph.D. in Marine Biology in Canada, served as a platform presenter for an environmental conference held recently in the United States.

O’Neal, who attended the 30th Annual Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) conference in New Orleans, Louisiana from 19-23 November, made her presentation during the “aquatic toxicology” section of the event.

The title of her presentation was, “Different Latitudes, but Same Attitude: Using Gastropods as Bio-Indicators of Tributyltin (TBT) in Eastern Canada and the British Virgin Islands.” The presentation focused on TBT, a biocide found in anti-fouling paint used to deter algae, barnacles and other organisms from settling on the bottom of boats.

Drawing from her paper, O’Neal stated that TBT “masculinises” the female conch, a phenomenon documented for over 250 species globally, and reduces its reproductive ability. By roughening the external surface, it also has a negative effect on the fuel consumption of boats.

TBT has been banned by the International Maritime Organisation, but it is reportedly still available for sale in the British Virgin Islands and elsewhere. A field expedition was carried out in August 2009 and laboratory experiments at the College’s Centre for Applied Marine Studies will help determine if the effects of “masculinisation” have any impact on the genetics of queen conch populations.

Consequently, O’Neal strongly believes that there is urgent need to have an anti-fouling paint that is both effective and cost-efficient.

She thanked Premier, Hon. Ralph T. O'Neal, At-Large Representative, Hon. Irene Penn-O'Neal, and the HLSCC Administration for their financial help which made it possible for her to attend the conference.

In 2008, O’Neal, was awarded the Diploma in University Teaching from the University of New Brunswick in Canada, where she is pursuing her doctoral studies.She started lecturing at HLSCC in October 2001 and is currently on a scholarship from the Canadian Bureau for International Education. She began her doctoral programme in 2006 and hopes to complete her studies in 2010, before returning to the British Virgin Islands.

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