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Julian Stanley Kenny was born on January 27th 1930 in Woodbrook,
Trinidad. He attended Belmont Intermediate School and St. Mary’s
College. He completed Grade 13 in Canada and graduated with a
Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto in
1951.
He developed an interest in fisheries research during his
post-graduate years in Toronto. He returned to Trinidad to work
as a Scientific Officer at the forerunner of the local Fisheries
Division. He introduced new systems and protocols in fisheries
management including a statistics system to evaluate the types
of fish caught by age, and the marking of boats with special
codes for identification of authorised fishing vessels. He also
helped to establish the flying fish industry in Tobago.
In 1963, he gained his doctorate from Birkbeck College,
University of London and joined the Department of Biological
Sciences at UWI. His research students advanced knowledge of the
Tamana Cave ecosystem, the Caroni Swamp and the Aripo Savannas.
His own research documented the distribution of freshwater fish
species in Trinidad and Tobago.
On account of his reputation as an erudite scientist and
outspoken naturalist, Professor Kenny was called to serve on
many national bodies and committees. He was an Advisor to the
Inter-ministerial Committee on the Law of the Sea Convention,
Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Marine Affairs, the
Board of the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), and Board
of Trustees of the Guardian Life Wildlife Trust, which supports
environmental education and protection. He was also a member of
the Cabinet-appointed Committee that drafted the National Parks
legislation, among other things and served a five-year term as an Independent Senator in the Senate
of Trinidad and Tobago.
An avid underwater diver and nature photographer, Professor
Kenny developed a prolific photographic collection of wildlife,
including native orchids and landscapes, and has written several
books featuring his photographic works. They include A View from
the Ridge – Exploring the Natural History of Trinidad and Tobago
and The Native Orchids of the Eastern Caribbean. He recently
donated his vast collection of works to the National Library and
Information System Authority (NALIS).
On August 9th 2011, the environmentalist, scientist, lecturer,
photographer, and author Professor Julian Kenny passed away at
the age of 81 years.
This online profile was updated in September 2011, after this
icon’s passing.
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