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Traditional Fishers' Experiences: Changing Weather and Fishing Conditions in The Bahamas 🇧🇸
Meet Mr. Edward James McPhee, 67 years old, who has been going out to sea since he was just seven years old.
Drawing on approximately 60 years of fishing experience, Mr. McPhee shared his observations about changes in weather conditions and how these affect the lives and livelihoods of fisherfolk in The Bahamas.
He explained that bad weather can last for up to a week, forcing fishers to seek shelter on some of the small cays. During these periods, they may be unable to go out to sea and earn a living.
He also highlighted the differences between fishing activities. Fishers who target finfish often travel into deeper waters, while conch fishers can find conch in shallow bays, sometimes in areas where they can simply walk and collect them.
In the past, fishers could spend two to three weeks unable to work because of unfavourable weather conditions. However, he feels that the situation has changed considerably over the years.
Reflecting on a hurricane that affected The Bahamas, he described the experience as almost like an experiment, recalling that the storm remained over the country for approximately three days.
His account reminds us of the importance of traditional knowledge and the experiences of older fishers. Their observations provide valuable insight into changing weather conditions, fishing practices and the challenges facing fishing communities.
As CNFO continues its work on fostering climate-resilient fisheries in the Caribbean, the voices and experiences of fishers like Mr. McPhee must inform our understanding and planning.
Climate resilience must begin with listening to the people who have spent generations at sea.
#CNFO #climateresilientfisheries #traditionalfishers #thebahamas #fisherfolk #ClimateChange
Recognising Women in the Fisheries Sector – Nassau, The Bahamas 🇧🇸
Meet Ms. Sonia, a fish vendor from Nassau, The Bahamas, pictured sitting with Nadine Nembhard, CNFO Administrative Officer.
During my visit to Potter's Cay, I was struck by the number of men involved in preparing and selling conch salad. From my observation, there may be fewer than 10 women across Nassau preparing conch salad, although there could be others I have not yet encountered. There appear to be well over 100 men involved in this trade.
This raises an important question about women's participation and visibility in the fisheries community.
#CNFO #womeninfisheries #traditionalfishers #thebahamas #fisherfolk
A Fisherman's 48 Years of Experience:
Observations from The Bahamas
During our engagement in The Bahamas, Mr. Miller, a fisher from Montague Fishing Port, shared his experiences from 48 years in the fishing industry.
He recalled a previous storm when powerful waves rushed over the coastal area and reached the fish market, washing large quantities of conch ashore. He described the remarkable abundance of conch following the storm.
Others observed that since Hurricane Dorian, the conch has been seeing and harvesting have been much larger.
Fostering Climate-Resilient Fisheries in the Caribbean is a CNFO project funded by the Blue Convergence Fund (BCF), in partnership with the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF).
#CNFO #traditionalfishers #climateresilientfisheries #thebahamas #fisherfolkknowledge #blueconvergencefund #PADF
The Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO), represented by Administrative Officer Nadine Nembhard, is working alongside Adrian LaRoda, President of the Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance, and Dr. Lester Gittens of the Department of Marine Resources in The Bahamas, on strengthening the resilience of fishing communities.
This collaboration is taking place under the project Fostering Climate-Resilient Fisheries in the Caribbean, funded by the Blue Convergence Fund (BCF) and implemented in partnership with the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF).
The Bahamas is the final stop in a series of five national workshops, following engagements in Belize, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Grenada.
The two-day engagement, taking place on 12–13 November 2026, brings together fishers and fisheries stakeholders to discuss climate-related challenges, share experiences and develop an action plan to strengthen the resilience of
Bahamian fisheries and fishing communities.
Working together, fisherfolk organisations, fisheries authorities and development partners can help ensure that the voices and experiences of traditional fishers inform climate resilience planning across the Caribbean.
#CNFO #climateresilientfisheries #thebahamas #traditionalfishers #blueconvergencefund #PADF
The Bahamas has a rich diversity of marine species harvested by traditional and commercial fishers. Queen conch (Aliger gigas) and Caribbean spiny lobster, locally known as crawfish (Panulirus argus), are two of the country's leading fisheries products.
Other important catches include a variety of reef fish, snappers, groupers and pelagic fish.
Today, Mr. Brown, a fisher from The #bahamas, shared that he has been working in the fishing industry for the past 15–20 years. He expressed how happy he is that The Bahamas has not experienced any hurricanes this year and sees this as an indication of how the climate is changing.
He is hopeful that the country will experience another hurricane-free year next year.
His reflection reminds us that climate change is experienced and understood differently by fisherfolk, whose livelihoods depend so closely on the weather and the sea. Their experiences and observations are important as we work together to build climate-resilient fisheries and fishing communities across the Caribbean.
⚓ HONOURING A PIONEER: RICHARD “CHUCK” PINDER 🇧🇸🏆
The Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources proudly recognises Richard “Chuck” Pinder of Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, as the recipient of the Minister’s Award at the Anchor Awards 2026.
Raised in a family of fishermen, Chuck began his commercial fishing career in 1983. From his early days as a lobster diver to his years as Captain of the M/V Sea Gem, his journey reflects perseverance, leadership and a deep commitment to Bahamian fishing.
His contribution extends beyond the sea. Through service on the Fisheries Advisory Committee, in local government and as an advocate for the fishing community, he has championed the protection of the industry for future generations of Bahamians.
Today, his family continues that fishing legacy—carrying forward the knowledge and traditions that helped shape his life.
Congratulations, Captain Pinder, and thank you for your enduring service to our fishing community! 👏🏽
📅 November 14, 2026
📍 Baha Mar Grand Ballroom
🔵 Blue Carpet: 6:00 PM | 🏆 Ceremony: 7:00 PM
⚓ Holding the Line for the Future.
#AnchorAwards2026 #MinistersAward #SpanishWells #BahamianFishers MOAMRBAH
⚓ A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE: OMEKO “MEKO” GLINTON 🇧🇸🏆
The Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources proudly recognises Omeko “Meko” Glinton of Deep Water Cay, Grand Bahama, as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Anchor Awards 2026.
A pioneer in Bahamian flats fishing, Meko is a third-generation fisherman carrying forward the knowledge and traditions of his grandfather, David Pinder Sr.—a finalist in the 2024 Anchor Awards—and his father, Stan “Da Man” Glinton.
His contribution extends beyond guiding anglers across our waters. By educating and empowering young people, he is helping the next generation understand the industry, respect its heritage and protect the marine environment on which it depends.
His story has also reached audiences through Meko, Weather the Storm, a film by Harrison Buck, bringing greater attention to Bahamian fishing and the community behind it.
Congratulations, Meko! We celebrate your achievements, your mentorship and your continued commitment to preserving this industry for generations to come. 👏🏽
📅 November 14, 2026
📍 Baha Mar Grand Ballroom
🔵 Blue Carpet: 6:00 PM | 🏆 Ceremony: 7:00 PM
⚓ Holding the Line for the Future.
#AnchorAwards2026 #LifetimeAchievementAward #OmekoGlinton #DeepWaterCay #BahamianFlatsFishing MOAMRBAH
Experiencing a fishing vessel in The Bahamas! 🇧🇸🐟
Fishing trips like this can last approximately 3–4 weeks at sea, with a crew of around seven fishers targeting multiple marine species, including lobster and Queen Conch (*Aliger gigas*).
Take a closer look at the equipment on board. The large insulated storage container at the bottom is called a fish hold or insulated fish cooler, used to keep the catch fresh during extended fishing trips.
Conch is a special part of Bahamian food culture and a must-try for anyone visiting The Bahamas. From cracked conch to conch salad, it remains a much-loved seafood delicacy.
Mr. Adrian LaRoda the President of The Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance giving us a glimpse into the work and fishing traditions that support Bahamian coastal communities. 🇧🇸
CNFO taking a quick picture stop after high discussions about climate resilience in Bahamas.
How do you prefer to eat your conch? 😋
In The Bahamas, this is dry conch, a traditional way of preparing and enjoying this popular seafood.
**The Bahamas: Final Stop in CNFO's Climate Resilience Workshop Series!**
This week, the CNFO is concluding a series of five national workshops under the Blue Convergence Fund-supported project, *Fostering Climate-Resilient Fisheries in the Caribbean.*
The workshops brought together fisherfolk and key stakeholders in Belize, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, and now The Bahamas.
Across these five countries, we have been working together to develop national action plans that identify priorities, challenges and practical actions to strengthen the resilience of fisherfolk and fishing communities in the face of climate change.
The Bahamas marks the final stop in this regional workshop series, bringing together experiences and perspectives that will contribute to building stronger, more climate-resilient fisheries throughout the Caribbean.
**Climate resilience begins with fisherfolk having a voice in shaping the actions and decisions that affect their livelihoods, communities and future.**
#CNFO #blueconvergencefund #climateresilientfisheries #CaribbeanFisherfolk #traditionalfishers
Bahamas workshop photographs from 12 November 2026.
🌡️ Understanding Warmer Days in The Bahamas
Dr. Brandon Bethel of the University of The Bahamas shares insights into the warmer days being experienced in The Bahamas, explaining some of the causes behind rising temperatures and changing weather patterns.
As part of CNFO's meeting in The Bahamas under the project “Fostering Climate-Resilient Fisheries in the Caribbean,” these discussions help us better understand climate change and its implications for fisheries and fishing communities.
Understanding the science behind these changes is an important step towards building climate resilience across the Caribbean.
#CNFO #ClimateResilientFisheries #TheBahamas #ClimateChange #TraditionalFishers
The Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO) was warmly welcomed to The #Bahamas by Mr. Lester Gittens, Director of Fisheries for its two-day meeting taking place on 12–13 November 2026.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Gittens welcomed participants and spoke about the importance of the project, “Fostering Climate-Resilient Fisheries in the Caribbean.”