Anguilla 
Antigua and Barbuda 
Grenada 
Bahamas 
Barbados 
Belize 
Dominica 
Guyana 
Haiti 
Jamaica 
Montserrat 
St. Kitts and Nevis 
St. Lucia 
St. Vincent and the Grenadines 
Suriname 
Trinidad and Tobago 
Turks and Caicos 
National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in BARBADOS
National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in BARBADOS
Gregory Franklin, Christopher Parker, Colvin Taylor, and Shelly-Ann Cox
Barbados Fisheries Division, Ministry of Environment and National Beautification,
Green and Blue Economy, Princess Alice Highway, Bridgetown, St. Michael Barbados
Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Barbados has a rich tradition of fishing with significant economic and cultural importance. An estimated 8,800 people are involved in the fisheries sector of Barbados1which accounts for approximately 8% of the workforce. Traditionally, flyingfish and dolphinfish by far dominated the species composition of the local fish catch. However the large-scale incursions of Sargassum into the region, that have for the last several years become annual events, significantly altered the catch rates of flyingfish and associated large pelagic species, especially dolphinfish, and thus altered the typical pattern of the species composition of the catch during the impacted fishing seasons/years. The Fisheries Division continued to fulfill its mission towards the management and sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture resources of Barbados for the benefit of our people, both present and future generations. During the pandemic, the operations of the division were significantly impacted resulting in the rescheduling of vessel inspection and the postponement of in-person training activities. Stakeholder consultations were held online in most instances and landing site visits were limited. Staff members pivoted and used Zoom and WhatsApp group chats to engage with clients and provide information and updates. The following initiatives were implemented during the reporting period.
HOW TO CITE: Franklin, G., C. Parker, C. Taylor, and S. Cox, 2026. National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Barbados. Contribution 10.4, p 29-41 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume II: National Reports on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Papers presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=958
POWERPOINT
VIDEO PRESENTATION
FULL SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION
Download CRFM Special Publication No. 37:
Proceedings of the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference
KEY LINKS
Scientific Conference Home Page
Scientific Conference Proceedings Page
Explore all 20th Anniversary Scientific Papers
NOTE
If you have challenges accessing or downloading documents in this series, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , copied to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call us at +501-223-4443. Some browsers do not properly load Google Drive documents, so if you have challenges accessing the PowerPoint slides or the full special publication, try switching to another browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in THE BAHAMAS
National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in THE BAHAMAS
INTRODUCTION
The Commonwealth of The Bahamas demography and economy The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is an archipelago of roughly 3,000 small islands and cays with a land area of about 13,935 km2. It has a total continental shelf area of approximately 116,550 km2. The islands and cays are spread over an area of some 230,000 km2 and are located on 16 plateaus separated from each other and from Florida, Cuba and Hispaniola by depths of 350 – 3600 meters. The archipelago comprises 700 islands and 2,400 cays, of which 29 are inhabited (referred to as Family Islands)...
The economic development of The Bahamas is largely driven by its tourism and finance sectors, which contribute respectively 10 and 11% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). (BNSI, 2016b). The fisheries sector plays an important role with respect to foreign currency earnings, assisting the country to meet its food security needs, employment and social well-being. Its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ranges between 1-2% annually, according to data compiled by the Department of Marine Resources. However, preliminary findings from a study conducted by BNSI estimated that the fisheries sector accounts for 20% of the country’s GDP considering the entire value chain including commercial and recreational fishing, fisheries processing, exports, sports fishing and supply for the local market.
HOW TO CITE: Department of Marine Resources, The Bahamas, 2026. National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in The Bahamas. Contribution 10.3, p 23-28 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume II: National Reports on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Papers presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=957
POWERPOINT
VIDEO PRESENTATION
FULL SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION
Download CRFM Special Publication No. 37:
Proceedings of the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference
KEY LINKS
Scientific Conference Home Page
Scientific Conference Proceedings Page
Explore all 20th Anniversary Scientific Papers
NOTE
If you have challenges accessing or downloading documents in this series, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , copied to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call us at +501-223-4443. Some browsers do not properly load Google Drive documents, so if you have challenges accessing the PowerPoint slides or the full special publication, try switching to another browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
OVERVIEW
The state of Antigua and Barbuda lies in the Lesser Antilles Island Chain. The islands are bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the East and the Caribbean Sea to the west. The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are located between latitude 17° 00' N and 17° 44' N and longitude 61° 39` W and 61° 55' W, with Antigua to the south and Barbuda approximately 42 kilometres to the north. The uninhabited Redonda lies to the southwest at 16 55` N and 062 21` allowing for the territory being established as an Archipelagic State in 1982. With a coastline measuring 153km, the islands cover a total land area of 442 km2 with Antigua accounting for 280 km2, Barbuda 160 km2 and Redonda 2 km2. In contrast to the relatively small landmass, Antigua and Barbuda sits on an extensive insular shelf encompassing the inhabited islands with gentle bathymetric relief down to 30 metres depth. This vast shelf along with the Redonda shelf and various offshore shelves, amounting to a total shelf area of 3,568 km2, provides adequate habitat for demersal resources targeted by artisanal fishers. The fishing industry is responsible for half of the agricultural sector’s 2% contribution to the National GDP. In 2020, during the global pandemic, the importance of the fishing industry for its role in food security and securing the livelihood of residents was realized. In 2020, the number of licenses issued to local fishers increased by over 200% over the previous year as people displaced from major industries such as tourism and construction made the transition or re-entry into fishing to maintain their livelihood. At the end of 2021 the number of registered Fishers in Antigua and Barbuda inclusive of 7 Aquaculturist, was 2497 of which 131 were females.
HOW TO CITE: Fisheries Division, Antigua and Barbuda, 2026. National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Antigua and Barbuda. Contribution 10.2, p 11-22 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume II: National Reports on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Papers presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=956
POWERPOINT
VIDEO PRESENTATION
FULL SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION
Download CRFM Special Publication No. 37:
Proceedings of the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference
KEY LINKS
Scientific Conference Home Page
Scientific Conference Proceedings Page
Explore all 20th Anniversary Scientific Papers
NOTE
If you have challenges accessing or downloading documents in this series, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , copied to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call us at +501-223-4443. Some browsers do not properly load Google Drive documents, so if you have challenges accessing the PowerPoint slides or the full special publication, try switching to another browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in ANGUILLA
National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in ANGUILLA
Remone Johnson
Fisheries Manager Natural Resources Fisheries Unit
FISHERIES SUB-SECTORS AT A GLANCE
Anguilla is the most northerly of the Leeward Islands, geographically positioned at 18.22° N, 63.07° W. The island land mass measures 35 square miles, 16 miles long and 3 miles wide and has a geological make up of predominantly coral and limestone. The highest elevation on the island rises to 213ft, while the rest of the island and its surrounding cays remain relatively flat. The main economic driver on the island is tourism, but fishing as a small industry also generates direct revenue for ~ 400 of the 14,000 residents of Anguilla and contributes roughly 1.2% towards the GDP. Anguilla’s exclusive fishing zone (EEZ) is 85,500km2, and 2,000km2 is submerged shelf. This submerged shelf supports the islands’ fishery and provides an abundance of shellfish products landed locally. The EEZ goes 200nm north into the Atlantic; with this abundance of fishing area, the local fishers only exploit up 35-40 miles.
The fishing industry of Anguilla is still very much un-developed, in the sense that there is no large-scale or commercial fishing industries and the technology, boats and equipment used are mundane. The 2022 record of licensed fishers shows that there are ~96 commercial vessels and ~240 fishers operating in Anguilla’s fishery. Besides one large trawler (16m), most of the fishers operate from locally constructed 5-15m, outboard-powered open hull vessels. The fishing methods employed include: purse seines, line fishing, Antillean or Z fish and lobster traps, speargun, longlines, trolling rods and FADs rods, to capture target species such as jacks, hinds, butter fish, doctor fish, parrot fish, shark etc. The latter methods are used to capture important commercial species such as snappers, tunas, wahoo, mahi mahi, lobster and crayfish. The Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) is also an important commercial species, which is harvested by skin diving or SCUBA.
HOW TO CITE: Johnson, R., 2026. National Report on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Anguilla. Contribution 10.1, p1-10 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume II: National Reports on the Status of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Papers presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=955
POWERPOINT
VIDEO PRESENTATION
FULL SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION
Download CRFM Special Publication No. 37:
Proceedings of the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference
KEY LINKS
Scientific Conference Home Page
Scientific Conference Proceedings Page
Explore all 20th Anniversary Scientific Papers
NOTE
If you have challenges accessing or downloading documents in this series, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , copied to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call us at +501-223-4443. Some browsers do not properly load Google Drive documents, so if you have challenges accessing the PowerPoint slides or the full special publication, try switching to another browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
An Examination of Integrated Marine Planning and Management in CARICOM and the Wider Caribbean Region
An Examination of Integrated Marine Planning and Management in CARICOM and the Wider Caribbean Region
Mikhail Amsterdam
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Department, Regent and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive,
Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ABSTRACT
The Caribbean region is vast yet interconnected with multiple natural resources and opportunities for marine economic development activities. While the region has several integrated organizations with governance responsibilities, the focus of this dissertation is the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) which is comprised of fifteen (15) Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and five (5) associate members with the remaining wider Caribbean countries having observer participation. The investigation findings indicate that CARICOM and the wide Caribbean consider Climate Change, Fisheries Management, territorial disputes, tourism, invasive species and conservation the six (6) main drivers which promote the adoption of integrated marine planning and management practices in the region. Further, the research reflects that international obligations, blue economic development, resource loss and conflict resolution as the underlying reasons for political/strategic importance being placed on marine management, which is a key distinction when we consider genuine stewardship versus political correctness. CARICOM has implemented several regional projects, policies and management groups aimed at ensuring collaborative management and shared responsibility. The Cartagena convention protocols on oil spill, land-based sources and special wildlife protected areas are amongst the initiatives reviewed for their regional coverage and impact on regional integrated marine management. The European Union’s approach and policy milestones achieved as part of its integrated maritime management were identified and used to create insights on how CARICOM could adopt a similar regional management policy like the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) which supports the European maritime economy and Protection of the EU maritime environment through cross cutting tools such as the MSP directive and MSPF. The conclusion surmises that CARICOM needs to outline a key strategic direction, identify priority areas for integration and establish robust governance institutions to ensure effective implementation of a regional integrated marine planning and management approach, these points were supported using the questionnaire responses received regional and international MSP experts.
HOW TO CITE: Amsterdam, M., 2026. Planning and Management in CARICOM and the Wider Caribbean Region Contribution 8.3, p538-554 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume I: Technical Papers. Presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=947
POWERPOINT
VIDEO PRESENTATION
FULL SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION
Download CRFM Special Publication No. 37:
Proceedings of the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference
KEY LINKS
Scientific Conference Home Page
Scientific Conference Proceedings Page
Explore all 20th Anniversary Scientific Papers
NOTE
If you have challenges accessing or downloading documents in this series, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , copied to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call us at +501-223-4443. Some browsers do not properly load Google Drive documents, so if you have challenges accessing the PowerPoint slides or the full special publication, try switching to another browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
What is the Right Balance Between International Management and the Involvement of Fishing Communities in the Management of Caribbean Spiny Lobster Fisheries?
What is the Right Balance Between International Management and the Involvement of Fishing Communities in the Management of Caribbean Spiny Lobster Fisheries?
Lester Gittens, PhD
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Department of Marine Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs,
Government of The Bahamas, Nassau, Bahamas
ABSTRACT
The Caribbean spiny lobster has an extensive occurrence as it is found in numerous territories from Bermuda to the northern edge of South America. Fisheries based on this species are of equally widespread importance to the Caribbean region. Similarly, the threats to sustainable fishing are just as borderless. Such transboundary threats, the likes of which impact many species, include climate change, illegal fishing, limited management resources and paucity of statistical data. The often-global scale of such challenges necessitate international coordination and cooperation. Indeed this need has manifested itself through various binding and non-binding international agreements seeking to address an array of issues. However, amid the clear need for international management efforts, it should neither be forgotten nor disregarded that direct resource users, in individual communities, must have a say in the management of fisheries resources they depend on. This view is consistent with sustainable development goals. But how is the need for international management, sometimes involving people far removed from the day-to-day needs of communities in distant countries, balanced against the obligation to include communities in management processes? These contrasting ideals are not easy to achieve and can be compounded and confounded by a lack of a clear voice coming from communities. It will take international, national and community level efforts to overcome these challenges.
HOW TO CITE: Gittens, L., 2026. What is the Right Balance Between International Management and the Involvement of Fishing Communities in the Management of Caribbean Spiny Lobster Fisheries? Contribution 6.6, p439-442 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume I: Technical Papers. Presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=936
POWERPOINT
VIDEO PRESENTATION
FULL SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION
Download CRFM Special Publication No. 37:
Proceedings of the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference
KEY LINKS
Scientific Conference Home Page
Scientific Conference Proceedings Page
Explore all 20th Anniversary Scientific Papers
NOTE
If you have challenges accessing or downloading documents in this series, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , copied to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call us at +501-223-4443. Some browsers do not properly load Google Drive documents, so if you have challenges accessing the PowerPoint slides or the full special publication, try switching to another browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
Sustainable Harvesting of Commercial Species in the Belize Exclusive Economic Zone
Sustainable Harvesting of Commercial Species in the Belize Exclusive Economic Zone
Silvana N. R. Birchenough, Andria Rosado, and Arlene Young *
Contact information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
,
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas
ABSTRACT
The Caribbean region is widely recognised to be a hot spot for marine biodiversity. The area hosts a wide range of habitats and species of conservation and fisheries importance. The main and most economically important fisheries in the area concentrates on spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) and queen conch (Strombus gigas). These species are key to sustaining sources of protein intake, livelihoods, and economic trade for local Caribbean communities. These two species have fluctuated throughout the years and their distribution has remained in similar quantities in landings since 2005. The queen conch peaked in 2012 following high sample density and increasing shell length, whilst the spiny lobster has generally remained stable in terms of landings. However, there are limited datasets across some years, which have created gaps in the current assessments. The general concept of effort was described by the number of fishing days, which has generally increased from 1990 to 2011. The rate of change in effort from 2006 to 2011 was mirrored by that in queen conch landings, but these values were inverse when compared to the spiny lobster landings, due to limited distribution of conch resulting from over exploitation. The country’s new government and new ministries have enacted new legislation and new opportunities to continue to explore and protect queen conch and spiny lobster, whether by a remit for Marine Protected Areas (MPA) or under dedicated Nature-based Solutions (NBS) approaches. The need to acquire data and fast evidence to support these stocks under a changing climate (including ocean acidification) is of interest. A recent effort has called for an informed and participative compilation of a stakeholder-supported strategy. A solid management plan has been developed and implemented to support management and conservation in the face of climate change. This presentation showcases options to support management and conservation decisions over a robust stakeholder participation with active and transparent discussions, workshops and activities.
HOW TO CITE: Birchenough, S.N.R., A. Rosado, and A. Young, 2026. Sustainable Harvesting of Commercial Species in the Belize Exclusive Economic Zone. Contribution 6.2, p398 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume I: Technical Papers. Presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=932
POWERPOINT
There is no video or accompanying paper for this item.
FULL SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION
Download CRFM Special Publication No. 37:
Proceedings of the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference
KEY LINKS
Scientific Conference Home Page
Scientific Conference Proceedings Page
Explore all 20th Anniversary Scientific Papers
NOTE
If you have challenges accessing or downloading documents in this series, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , copied to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call us at +501-223-4443. Some browsers do not properly load Google Drive documents, so if you have challenges accessing the PowerPoint slides or the full special publication, try switching to another browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
Restorative Aquaculture: How Commercially Important Sea Urchins Can Aid in Coral Reef Recovery
Restorative Aquaculture: How Commercially Important Sea Urchins Can Aid in Coral Reef Recovery
Stacey Williams
Institute for Socio-Ecological Research, Puerto Rico
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ABSTRACT
Sea urchins are commercially important as their gonads, also known as roe or uni, are considered a delicacy in many countries. However, sea urchins also play an important ecological role as they are the main herbivores in marine habitats. Herbivores are essential on coral reefs as they control the abundance of benthic algae, which would otherwise outcompete corals and other benthic organisms for space. Currently, many Caribbean coral reefs lack herbivores and are dominated by macroalgae and a dangerous encrusting alga, Ramicrusta spp. The Institute for Socio-Ecological Research (ISER) has developed a novel approach in improving coral reefs by enhancing sea urchin populations in Puerto Rico through restorative aquaculture techniques. ISER is executing two different techniques to produce urchins for restoration purposes. Post larval settlers of the long spined sea urchin, Diadema antillarum, are collected from the field, brought back to the laboratory, and grown to a young adult size. Recently, we developed a small scale hatchery and have been closing the life cycle of the West Indian sea urchin, Tripneustes ventricosus, in the laboratory. More than 5,500 lab-reared D. antillarum and more than 300 T. ventricosus, have been restocked to coral reefs all around Puerto Rico. Significant changes in the benthic structure were observed during the first week after the restocking. Significant reductions of fleshy macroalgae (Dictyota spp.) and thick turf algal/sediment mats (TAS), both unsuitable substrates (e.g., coral settlement), contributed to this change. Additionally, preliminary observations show that coral outplants have a higher chance of surviving when herbivores are present because they do not need to compete for space against cyanobacteria and macroalgae. Our work shows that producing sea urchins through aquaculture techniques provides direct ecological benefits to coral reefs and should be integrated in all coral restoration plans.
HOW TO CITE: Williams S.M, 2026. Restorative Aquaculture: How Commercially Important Sea Urchins Can Aid in Coral Reef Recovery. Contribution 5.3, p346 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume I: Technical Papers. Presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=927
POWERPOINT
VIDEO PRESENTATION
FULL SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION
Download CRFM Special Publication No. 37:
Proceedings of the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference
KEY LINKS
Scientific Conference Home Page
Scientific Conference Proceedings Page
Explore all 20th Anniversary Scientific Papers
NOTE
If you have challenges accessing or downloading documents in this series, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , copied to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call us at +501-223-4443. Some browsers do not properly load Google Drive documents, so if you have challenges accessing the PowerPoint slides or the full special publication, try switching to another browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
A Bioeconomic Approach for Sea Cucumber Mariculture in the Caribbean
A Bioeconomic Approach for Sea Cucumber Mariculture in the Caribbean
Ricardo Anthony Morris
Caribbean Aquaculture Education and Innovation Hub
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ABSTRACT
The downturn of the lucrative multi-species sea cucumber trade in the Asian market has in the last decade led to an increase in fishing pressure in other regions where the fishery previously did not exist. This has led to an increased threat of unsustainable fishing, overexploitation of stocks, loss of biodiversity, negative ecological impacts, and the destabilization of sensitive ecosystems and coastal communities targeting these species. All these impacts have been realized in the Latin America and Caribbean region including Jamaica, whose management has been slow or unresponsive in adapting to the sudden demand for the species. On the other hand, this demand and high prices for the species present several opportunities including for aquaculture and mariculture which can provide economic benefits, supplement already overexploited fisheries, and contribute to the restoration and resilience of coastal ecosystems to climate change impacts. A bioeconomic approach to investigation and then implementation of sea cucumber mariculture can provide an inefficient means of optimizing ocean space, inputs (costs), economic benefit, and ecological contribution. This is given that space and cost are major limitations to aquaculture and mariculture development in small island states like those in the Caribbean. The approach involves an initial experimental mariculture phase where wild seeds (juveniles) are collected and kept in identical enclosures on the seabed in different densities and habitat conditions. Over time, biological indicators such as ambient conditions, mortality, and growth, are monitored along with applicable costs which could include feed, security, lease arrangements, etc. Following this monitoring period, a bioeconomic assessment is conducted to determine the optimum harvest time and harvest size for the targeted market along with the different density habitat conditions. The results are expected to provide critical management and policy development information, with the potential for being scaled up, about the viability of sea cucumber mariculture as a business in conditions specific to the Caribbean.
HOW TO CITE: Morris, R.A., 2026.A Bioeconomic Approach for Sea Cucumber Mariculture in the Caribbean. Contribution 5.1, p330 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume I: Technical Papers. Presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=925
POWERPOINT
VIDEO PRESENTATION
FULL SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION
Download CRFM Special Publication No. 37:
Proceedings of the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference
KEY LINKS
Scientific Conference Home Page
Scientific Conference Proceedings Page
Explore all 20th Anniversary Scientific Papers
NOTE
If you have challenges accessing or downloading documents in this series, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , copied to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call us at +501-223-4443. Some browsers do not properly load Google Drive documents, so if you have challenges accessing the PowerPoint slides or the full special publication, try switching to another browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
FAO Caribbean Mariculture Webinar Series
Marine aquaculture—also known as mariculture—is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish and shrimp in the ocean or coastal environments using systems like floating cages, sea pens, or coastal ponds. Unlike inland aquaculture, mariculture harnesses the sea’s natural resources to sustainably produce seafood. It offers the potential to reduce reliance on imports, generate employment, and support coastal livelihoods, while also promoting innovation through hatcheries, improved feeds, and integrated multi-trophic systems.
The Caribbean is uniquely positioned for success in this sector, with clean waters, suitable native species, and growing demand for healthy, locally farmed seafood. Yet many CARICOM states still import over half of their fish, highlighting the urgent need to build local capacity. This webinar series will bring together leading experts and practitioners to share the technical and strategic knowledge required to unlock mariculture potential and build resilience across the region.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has released four (4) recordings from the Caribbean Mariculture Webinar Series, held during September to October 2025. This series was organized under the CARICOM Sub-Regional Mariculture Project.
The initiative is designed to strengthen national and regional capacity in marine aquaculture, with a focus on practical knowledge transfer that supports food security, economic growth, and sustainable coastal development.
Full Playlist
Unlocking Mariculture potential in the Caribbean
Building and Managing Cage Farms: Engineering and Daily Operations for Finfish Grow-Out
From Hatch to Sea: Broodstock, Larval Rearing, and Fingerling Transport for Marine Finfish
Feeding the future: Marine Finfish Nutrition and Local Feed Opportunities
Information and resources courtesy UN FAO.