The Evolution of Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting of Fisheries Data for the Commonwealth of Dominica

Derrick Theophille and Kurt Hilton

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, Dominica Fisheries Division, Commonwealth of Dominica

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ABSTRACT

Fisheries data collection is essential for the long-term sustainability of the sector. Limited fisheries data presents uncertainty at varying levels leading to decreased productivity and economic loss. Utilising new and emerging technologies within the fisheries sector allows for more efficient decision-making since there is an ability to record and report more quickly, comprehensively and efficiently. Spanning a 29-year period, data collection and management in Dominica have seen significant changes. This has included paper-based data collection at landing sites, a data input clerk inputting data, storage of data in Microsoft Access, and data analysis using Microsoft Excel. More recently, however, there has been a shift to utilising electronic data collection forms in Kobotoolbox and analysis and reporting of data using the R statistical software. In this paper, we document the evolution of fisheries data collection and storage in the Commonwealth of Dominica, highlighting the challenges and future trajectory using low-cost and open-source methods and technologies for data collection, data manipulation, data analysis, and reporting. The use of new and inclusive methods of data collection presents a greater scope for the collection of information, leading to a reduced cost of data collection as well as time spent on the analysis and reporting of standardised or automated results.

HOW TO CITE: Theophille, D. and K. Hilton, 2026. The Evolution of Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting of Fisheries Data for the Commonwealth of Dominica. Contribution 3.13, p238-248 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=918

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Belize City, Belize, 7 October 2025 (CRFM)—Four Caribbean countries—Anguilla, The Bahamas, Dominica, and Montserrat—have signed on to the Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), formalizing their membership in the 22-year-old institution, inaugurated in Belize City, Belize, in March 2003. The momentous signing was done en bloc at the Sixteenth Special Meeting of the CRFM Ministerial Council, held during the recently concluded Caribbean Week of Agriculture, hosted by Saint Kitts and Nevis under the auspices of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat.

Dr. Marc Williams, Executive Director of the CRFM Secretariat, welcomed the decisive move by the 4 Caribbean countries, which have been actively involved in the CRFM, which is an intergovernmental CARICOM institution.

The heads of delegations who signed the CRFM Agreement on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, on behalf of their respective governments are:

• Honourable Kyle Hodge, Minister of Economic Development, Industry, Commerce, Lands, Planning, Water, and Natural Resources, Anguilla;
• Mr. Montez Williams, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources, The Bahamas;
• Honourable Roland Royer, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, Dominica; and
• Honourable John Patrick Osborne, Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing, Environment, Youth Affairs, and Sports, Montserrat. 

From left to right: Mr. Montez Williams (The Bahamas), Hon. Roland Royer (Dominica), Hon. John P. Osborne (Montserrat), and Hon. Kyle Hodge (Anguilla) sign the CRFM Agreement en bloc

Dr. Williams said: “Currently, there are 17 Member States of the CRFM that have been actively involved in the effective management of the organization. The CRFM prides itself on meeting the needs of its members with the available resources. When attracting resources to support the implementation of our work program and alleviate the financial burden on Member States, the CRFM is frequently asked about its governance framework.” 

CRFM Executive Director, Dr. Marc Williams (center), welcomes the decisive move by Anguilla, The Bahamas, Dominica, and Montserrat to formalize their membership in the CRFM

He noted that the CRFM has adopted several key policies to improve its governance framework, including:

• The Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP), which enables participating States to collectively undertake the scientific research and studies necessary to determine the status of fish stocks, determine available fishing opportunities, and develop rational harvest strategies and fisheries management plans to ensure optimum sustainable use of the resources and protect the ecosystems;
• The Personal Data Protection Policy, which ensures that the roles and responsibilities of employees of the CRFM Secretariat (with respect to protecting personal data) are clearly defined, understood, and followed by all employees, and which provides procedural guidance on how the CRFM Secretariat and its governance bodies will implement the Policy;
• The Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy, which is a source of information and guidance for those working for the CRFM Secretariat and helps them recognize and deal with bribery and corruption, as well as understand their responsibilities;
• The Whistleblower Policy, which aims to provide a comprehensive framework that will not only protect whistleblowers from retaliation but also encourage a culture in the CRFM that values ethical behavior and the disclosure of information vital to the organization's short and long-term success and well-being.

The CRFM Executive Director added that the CRFM is making a conscious effort to ensure that its initiatives are gender-sensitive and considerate of the needs of youth and Indigenous peoples.

The CRFM’s 17 Member States are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The CRFM’s objectives include the efficient management and sustainable development of marine and other aquatic resources within the jurisdictions of Member States. The CRFM also promotes and establishes cooperative arrangements among interested States for the efficient management of shared, straddling or highly migratory marine and other aquatic resources. Furthermore, it provides technical advisory and consultative services to fisheries authorities of its Member States in the development, management and conservation of their marine and other aquatic resources. 

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