Building the Capacity of Aquaculture and the Blue Economy in the Caribbean

Dr. Juli-Anne Russo

Caribbean Aquaculture Education and Innovation Hub
Via Monte Roncone, Allumiere 00051, Italy
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ABSTRACT

Despite a global increase in aquaculture, the Caribbean remains at 0.05%. Aquaculture is commonly associated with the intensive culture of salmon in developed countries and the culture of tilapia and shrimp in developing countries. The suit of species to be cultured in the region goes beyond these given the diverse ecosystems and may include species such as conch, marine finfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, aquarium species, oysters, mussels, seaweeds and other aquatic plants, to name a few. Many blue foods are rich in bioavailable micronutrients and can be produced more sustainably. For Caribbean countries, aquaculture has the potential to positively address the problems of nutrition and food insecurity, the unsustainable exploitation of marine resources, and socio-economic inequalities. Conventional approaches to promoting aquaculture have largely failed. Most components necessary for aquaculture development in the region remain underdeveloped, including human and technical resources and the general knowledge required to take advantage of its opportunities. For instance, vast coastal areas have hardly been explored for mariculture / blue foods development which can become the cornerstone of coastal communities. Additionally, given the critical state of important marine ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves due to overexploitation, the potential for aquaculture as an alternate source of fish protein and alternative livelihood activities has yet to be taken seriously. The Caribbean Aquaculture Education and Innovation Hub (CAEIH) seeks to leverage and strengthen this framework through scientific research, with the introduction of aquaculture curriculum in secondary and tertiary institutions, and partnership initiatives to realize regional targets such as the CARICOM commitment to a 25 percent reduction in food imports by 2025 and the global 2030 agenda. In this way, we intend to identify and monitor key performance indicators at all levels of human and technical capacity in aquaculture production including the participation of women and youth.

HOW TO CITE: Russo, J-A., 2026. Building the Capacity of Aquaculture and the Blue Economy in the Caribbean. Contribution 9.2, p618-625 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=953

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Investigating the Effectiveness of Three Different Growing Methods for Seamoss Farming in Saint Lucia

Makeba B. Felix

 Fisheries Biologist Department of Fisheries, Castries, Saint Lucia

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ABSTRACT

Seamoss is a common marine macroalgae found globally, that has been cultivated in Saint Lucia for decades. Recently, seamoss production in Saint Lucia has increased significantly, fueled by increased global demand. This is reflected in the price increase of seamoss after 2019 when more people joined the sector owing to job loss on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased production of seamoss has been beneficial to the economic sector in Saint Lucia and may have contributed to the country’s coastal blue carbon store. Increased loss of planting material occasioned by unfavourable weather and sea conditions influenced an investigation into determining the most effective growing methods for seamoss farming in Saint Lucia. Test plots were set established at various locations using three growing methods, namely: a biodegradable tube net, a plastic tube net, and the traditional plastic monoline. The rate of growth of the seamoss and the substrate material’s durability were monitored and compared across the three growing methods. The traditional monoline method proved to be effective as it allowed for the continued growth of the propagule, by promoting the free movement of nutrients and sediments off the plants. However, the plastic tube net, was the most successful growing method since it retained the most propagules during periods of rough seas and had the highest overall growth rate.

HOW TO CITE: Felix, M.B., 2026. Different Growing Methods for Seamoss Farming in Saint Lucia. Contribution 5.4, p347-358 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=928

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Looking Back Before Moving Forward: Learning From History to Develop Aquaculture and Mariculture in Barbados

Christopher Parker and Colvin Taylor

Barbados Fisheries Division. Ministry of the Environment and National Beautification, Princess Alice Highway, Bridgetown, Barbados

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ABSTRACT

To meet local demands, Barbados currently imports much more fish and fish products than it produces. In recent years this disparity has worsened by the significant reduction in catches of flyingfish and dolphinfish resulting from the mass influxes of Sargassum spp. into traditional fishing grounds. Against this background, the Barbados Fisheries Policy (BFP) 2023-2033 requires Government to support the contribution of sustainable aquaculture to economic growth, food security and income diversification. At this juncture, it is prudent to critically review and assess the island’s past aquaculture and mariculture ventures with the objective of discerning any lessons learnt and applying these to the formulation of sound policies and plans for the development and management of vi–able and sustainable aquaculture and mariculture in Barbados. This is the main objective of this paper. Scarcity of available land and water resources significantly limits opportunities for large-scale, land-based aquaculture ventures in Barbados. As such, the island’s few commercial-scale ventures have necessarily utilized Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). However, most of these businesses have not been sustainably profitable for various reasons, with most not progressing beyond the pilot-phase. Small-scale “backyard” ventures often rearing primarily Tilapia in small tanks as well as in aquaponics arrays, have emerged as the predominant forms of aquaculture on the island. Options for mariculture are also constrained by the island’s densely populated land area and limited and crowded coastline. It is emphasized that it is the duty of government through cogent legislation to ensure that all aquaculture and mariculture ventures are financially sustainable and redound to the benefit of Barbados without damaging the environment. To this end, a new policy framework for aquaculture and mariculture and regulations were approved by Cabinet on 9th June 2023. Regular consultation with stakeholder experts is necessary for implementation and to chart the way forward for the sector.

HOW TO CITE: Parker, C. and C. Taylor, 2026. Looking Back Before Moving Forward: Learning From History to Develop Aquaculture and Mariculture in Barbados. Contribution 5.2, p331-345 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 Secretariathttps://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=926

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A Bioeconomic Approach for Sea Cucumber Mariculture in the Caribbean

Ricardo Anthony Morris

Caribbean Aquaculture Education and Innovation Hub

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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

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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.