WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • DECEMBER 2025 53 (CONTINUED ON PAGE 54) There is also an urgent need for more extension agents and technical assistants with practical, hands-on experience. These professionals must be available to visit farms regularly and provide in-person guidance. A hybrid model, where certified technical assistants operate as independent consultants, compensated directly by farmers, could foster entrepreneurship while enhancing service delivery. Moreover, regional aquaculture data remain sparse. There is a pressing need for trained scientists with expertise in data collection, analysis, and reporting to guide policy and investment. Emerging entrepreneurs should also be encouraged to explore underserved areas such as phycology, aquaculture engineering, and aquatic animal diagnostics. Changing the Regional Perception of Aquaculture One of the Caribbean’s greatest resources is its people. However, aquaculture is still largely absent from secondary and tertiary education curricula across the region. To build a resilient, future-ready aquaculture sector, the Caribbean must invest in its youth through technical and scientific training. Introducing aquaculture science at the primary and secondary school levels will help establish a pipeline of skilled professionals equipped to support the industry’s development. Additionally, aquaculture and mariculture must be recognized as distinct from capture fisheries. Although overlaps exist, each sector has unique needs and requires targeted policies and frameworks to thrive. Building Capacity for a Skilled Technical Workforce The growth and sustainability of aquaculture in the region hinge on the development of a skilled and certified workforce. This includes farm managers, technicians, extension officers, and entrepreneurs. Capacity-building efforts should emphasize handson, technical training that is ongoing and accessible both locally and internationally. Educators, extension agents, and government technical officers must have opportunities to attend regional and global conferences, trade fairs, and applied research programs at hatcheries and farms. These experiences will strengthen their ability to offer timely, relevant, and evidence-based support to farmers. Government aquaculture agencies, in particular, must be equipped to provide strategic guidance that is both data-driven and aligned with farmers’ specific goals. This highlights the importance of investing in internal research capacity within these departments. Farmer Field Schools and Demonstration Farms The establishment of Centers of Excellence through farmer field schools and demonstration farms can be a game changer. These hubs can provide handson training, foster peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, and facilitate the testing of new technologies. Participating farms should receive priority access to training, technical services, and equipment from extension programs. Establishing a Regional Aquaculture Farmers’ Cooperative A regional farmers’ cooperative or network is essential to drive collective growth. Cooperatives can provide platforms for farmers to: • Share challenges, solutions, and best practices • Pool resources to reduce operational costs • Engage more effectively with policymakers and stakeholders • Access consistent technical support In addition to in-person meetings, a virtual network would allow both new and experienced farmers to communicate and collaborate. Technical assistants can also be assigned to smaller farmer clusters to provide site-based support and strengthen local knowledge systems. Biosecurity and Surveillance A robust biosecurity and disease surveillance plan is urgently needed, particularly in relation to imported species. Prevention must be the first line of defense. This includes developing and implementing a comprehensive biosecurity strategy that addresses all relevant activities in the supply chain. Technical assistants should receive training in basic animal and plant health management to support early detection and response to disease outbreaks. Aquafeeds Research There is strong interest in reducing the cost of aquaculture production by using locally sourced ingredients for feed. Research into local feed formulation and small-scale feed manufacturing technologies is critical. Success in this area will depend on advances in PHOTO 2. Drying seamoss in Saint Lucia. PHOTO 3. Aquaponics research scientist Mia Avril at Island School, Bahamas.
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