Our Vision
Improving the quality of life of Fisherfolk by developing a sustainable and profitable industry.
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Meet Cecil Marquez. Fisher, Advocate, 2018 Gladding Memorial Award Winner and SSF Guidelines Policy Champion.
Cecil is the former Director and PRO of the Gouyave Fishermen Cooperative Society Ltd., Grenada. He has been a leader in the fishing industry in Grenada for the past 30 years.
Cecil is well known for promoting the establishment of a new marine protected area in Gouyave managed by the local Gouyave Fishermen Cooperative in 2017. In 2019, through Cecil’s vision and leadership, the Grenada Fisheries Division signed a co-management agreement delegating the management of the Gouyave marine protected area in the hands of the local fishers and community. This success story is very inspiring and a great example of the importance of fisherfolk advocating for positive change. #FridayFisher #Grenada #SSFGender
The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (@canari_caribbean) in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries in Saint Lucia, National Project Coordinator for CC4FISH, and the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (@cermesuwi) facilitated a Fisheries Learning Exchange (FLE) for Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF), Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) among Anguilla, Montserrat, and Saint Lucia.
The FLE, which took place between April 24 – 26, 2018, looked at efforts being made to improve CCA in the fisheries sector at the national and local levels and enhancing livelihood opportunities, within the context of EAF, in Saint Lucia. The learning exchange was supported by the Darwin Plus: Overseas Territories Environment and Climate Fund.
Meet Shellene Berry. Fisheries Officer, SSF Guidelines Policy Champion, Mother and Facilitator of the Lyssons Fisherfolk Benevolent Society.
Shellene is a dedicated civil servant who has served the Jamaican fisheries sector for over two decades. In her role as a fisheries officer she successfully mentors and empowers fisherfolk groups across the island to meaningfully participate in all aspects of fisheries governance and management.
Shellene is well known for her advocacy and the significant role she played in coordinating national workshops and stakeholder consultations on Jamaica’s current National Fisheries Policy.
She currently engages with Jamaican fishers across several regional and international projects including the StewardFish project. Shellene is a great example of how fisheries officers can empower and support fisherfolk and their organisation in EAF application at local and national levels. #WednesdayWoman #Jamaica #SSFGender
Meet Pamashwar 'Max' Jainarine. Fisherman, Vendor, Boat owner, and the Fisherfolk representative on the Fisheries Advisory Committee.
Max has over 40 years of experience in the fishing industry. He is the current Chairman of the Upper Corentyne Fishermen's Co-op Society and the President of the Guyana National Fisherfolk Organization.
Max is very committed and passionate about representing fisherfolk. He went back to the University of Guyana at 50 years old to gain more technical expertise so that he could represent fisherfolk effectively. He is always trying to get their views and concerns on the desks of policymakers at local, national, and regional levels. He has recognized that Guyanese fisherfolk have not always gotten the best from their leaders and policymakers and is constantly working on remedying this.
He considers it a true honor to represent fisherfolk. #fridayfisher #Guyana #ssfgender
CERMES (@cermesuwi) in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries (DOF) in Saint Lucia and the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) in Saint Kitts and Nevis conducted a pilot fisheries learning exchange (FLE) in Saint Lucia on 7-9 March 2018.
Two fisherfolk leaders from Saint Kitts and Nevis participated in the exchange to learn from the experiences of several knowledge providers in Saint Lucia who are instrumental in marine and fisheries resource management. The main aim of the pilot FLE was to demonstrate practical guidance for designing and implementing FLEs for ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF), climate change adaptation (CCA), and disaster risk management (DRM).
Feedback from participants was very positive with both commenting that the exchange exceeded their expectations. #ThrowbackThursday #EAF #climatechangeadaptation #disasterriskmanagement #saintluica
Meet Susan Hodge. PRO/Secretary of the Anguilla Fisherfolk Association and Programme Officer in the Department of Disaster Management.
Susan is an English born Anguillian and the daughter of a fisherman. She is a disaster manager with a passion to ensure safety at sea for all fishers and to empower them to build this important sector.
Susan is well known for coordinating a tsunami response exercise called Caribe Wave 18 in 2018. The exercise tested the Anguilla Warning System and Tsunami warning protocol as well as tested and evaluated community preparedness for such an event. Susan brings her expertise in disaster risk management to support resilience building and climate change adaptation in the fisheries sector. #WednesdayWoman #Anguilla #ssfgender
If we were logical, the future would be bleak, indeed. But we are more than logical. We are human beings, and we have faith, and we have hope, and we can work. -Jacques Yves Cousteau
Meet Glaston White. Trap Fisher, Advocate and General Secretary of the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO) since 2016.
Glaston has been fishing for more than 21 years, during this time he has observed the decline of marine resources and has been working tirelessly to promote sustainable fishing practices. Glaston's advocacy has led to his appointment in leadership positions such as the Treasurer of the Jamaica Fishermen Cooperative Union and the Director of the Half Moon Bay Fisherman’s Association.
He was also a former representative to the National Fishery Advisory Council. Glaston is a great example of a fisherfolk leader who is promoting the practical application of the ecosystem approach to fisheries #FridayFisher #Jamaica #SSFGender
In 2018, a fisheries learning exchange took place between Costa Rica, Barbados, St. Kitts, Grenada and Belize.
This exchange was aimed at strengthening the capacities of fisherwomen from different Caribbean countries who expressed interest in learning about Costa Rican experiences and at the same time wanted to contribute their knowledge of small-scale (artisanal) fisheries value chains.
This learning exchange highlighted the major role fisherwomen play in the post-harvest sector and opportunities for increased participation in fishing cooperatives.
Fisherwomen in Costa Rica play a lead role in the CoopeTárcoles R.L cooperative and use their traditional knowledge to help strengthen the sector. In previous years, to become a member of the cooperative individuals were required to own a boat. Since many women did not own boats they were excluded. However, the General Assembly held on 11 November 1989 changed things for the better, people without boats such as women who untangle the nets and administrators have been granted membership. Although the bylaws were not modified to mainstream gender, the outcome helped to mobilize women and they have been accepted as members since 1989. Read more here: www.cavehill.uwi.edu/cermes/getdoc/782eb9b1-83b9-40ab-bd43-8c639a63d3d8/coopesolidar_et_al_2018_c...
Meet Nadine Nembhard. Administrative Officer of the CNFO, Advocate, and Mother of 2. Nadine began her career as a primary school teacher before becoming the Executive Secretary of the Belize Fishermen Cooperative Association, which lead to her current appointment at CNFO.
Nadine has served as the Co-chair of the World Forum of Fisher Peoples (Sept 2014 -Nov 2017) and General Secretary (Nov 2017 to current). As Co-chair, she was well known for advocating to bring greater recognition to the role of women in the fishing industry and continues to do this up to this day.
Nadine is adept at networking and communication, she keeps the CNFO membership informed about the issues affecting the industry and raises their awareness of new concepts in fisheries management. She is an exemplary individual and a role model for young women looking to pursue a career in the fishing industry. #WednesdayWoman #Belize #SSF Gender
However fragmented the world, however intense the national rivalries, it is an inexorable fact that we become more interdependent every day. I believe that national sovereignties will shrink in the face of universal interdependence. The sea, the great unifier, is man's only hope. Now, as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: We are all in the same boat. -Jacques Cousteau
Women, men, and youth we would like to invite you to a virtual gender analysis "meet and greet". This announcement is for Barbados, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Jamaica, and Guyana. See the below poster for the date. More details coming soon.
Meet Tylon Joseph. Fisher, Boat Captain, PADI Rescue Diver, Coral Gardener, and Volunteer. Tylon was recently elected as a board member of the Gouyave Fishermen Cooperative Society Ltd., Grenada.
At just 24 years old, Tylon is a youth leader working assiduously at promoting sustainable fisheries. His interest in technology led to his involvement in drone mapping training and learning innovative techniques in coral reef restoration.
In his spare time, Tylon enjoys learning and speaking Spanish. He also enjoys underwater photography. It is indeed refreshing to see young men doing amazing things and ensuring that marine resources are available for #futuregenerations. #fridayfisher #Grenada #youth #eafstrikeabalance
See whats happening with GCFI73!#GCFI73 ANNOUNCEMENT!
We are pleased to announce that the 73rd annual meeting of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI73) is being run in a significantly abbreviated form as an *entirely virtual event*
The theme of this year’s meeting is "Stories from the Field" and will involve a mix of science and fun activities. GCFI73 will comprise of an e-poster session, invited talks, workshops, a Speed Science Student Competition, a GCFI Story Slam, and the CINEFISH Film Festival. It is the intention of GCFI to provide the current state of science while also infusing entertaining elements into the event.
Please visit this link to view the First Announcement & First Call for Submissions: bit.ly/32OdV2B
All details can also be found on the GCFI73 Website: www.gcfi.org/gcfi73/
We look forward to seeing you virtually in November for GCFI73!