22 SEPTEMBER • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG As the Caribbean faces mounting environmental and economic challenges, aquaculture presents one of the most promising solutions for achieving food security, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting youth employment. Yet, the sector remains underutilized and underrepresented, especially by the very group that could drive its transformation: young people. Across the Caribbean, the aquaculture and marine science workforce is rapidly aging. Many of the region’s most experienced aquaculture scientists and technicians are expected to retire within the next three to five years. Without a pipeline of new talent, the region risks losing critical knowledge, slowing innovation, and missing the opportunity to expand aquaculture as a pillar of the blue economy. At the same time, students graduating with marine science degrees face limited job prospects. Despite their academic training, many struggle to find relevant employment, leading to brain drain and disillusionment. Meanwhile, farming in marine environments is a largely untapped sector, offering vast potential for growth in areas such as marine ornamental and seaweed farming, bivalve culture, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, multiintegrated aquaculture systems and many others. There is a pressing need to connect young people with this potential, not only as a solution to youth unemployment but as a strategic investment in Caribbean resilience and self-sufficiency. Why Aquaculture and Mariculture Matter Aquaculture and mariculture are foundational to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ocean ecosystem health. In small island developing states like those in the Caribbean, these sectors can: • Reduce dependence on imported seafood • Provide nutritious food to local communities • Create climate-resilient livelihood opportunities • Drive innovation in sustainable farming practices • Build ecosystem-based solutions for marine conservation Youth involvement is key to unlocking these benefits. Young scientists, entrepreneurs, and students bring fresh ideas, digital fluency, and a willingness to challenge outdated models. They are also uniquely positioned to dispel negative public perceptions of aquaculture, such as the concerns of over pollution or unsustainable practices, by applying their scientific training to develop clean, energy-efficient, and community-centered solutions. In the Caribbean, there is also a lack of understanding of the scope of aquaculture, and what recognition currently exists is generally limited to tilapia farming. Why Caribbean Youth Must Work Together The Caribbean is made up of more than 100 islands, each with distinct cultures, resources, and challenges. However, the obstacles facing youth: climate change, unemployment, and lack of scientific infrastructure, are shared. For aquaculture to thrive as a regional strategy, Caribbean youth must collaborate across borders to exchange knowledge, strengthen networks, and co-develop sustainable solutions. This unity aligns with the goals of the CARICOM Secretariat and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), which both promote regional integration, food security, and youth development. The formation of Youth in Caribbean Aquaculture (YCA) directly supports these efforts by connecting youth through shared goals, fieldwork opportunities, and leadership training. Contributing less than 1% of global aquaculture production, the Caribbean has been left out of conversations at numerous aquaculture, ocean conservation, blue economy, and blue innovation conferences, as compared to other regions. This spirit of regional solidarity is at the heart of YCA’s mission to build a connected, skilled, and empowered generation of aquaculture leaders in the Caribbean. The YCA Movement Recognizing these needs and opportunities, under the leadership of the Caribbean Aquaculture Education and Innovation Hub (CAEIH) and the guidance of Dr. Juli-Anne Russo, CEO and Founder of CAEIH, a group of eight marine science undergraduates at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Life Science Department in Kingston, Jamaica, founded Youth in Caribbean Aquaculture in 2024. As a subsidiary of the Caribbean Aquaculture Education and Innovation Hub, YCA targets youth aged 16–25, aiming to build awareness, leadership, and technical skills among the next generation of blue Youth Engagement in Aquaculture: Building the Next Generation of Blue Food Leaders in the Caribbean Juli-Anne Russo Bethany Dean, recent graduate, now at the Alligator Head Foundation.
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