Future Fishers

17/05/2026

🚨 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 🚨

SpeSeas expresses deep concern over the EMA’s decision to grant a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) for the proposed Rocky Point development in Tobago.

This coastline is ecologically critical 🌊🐢

Home to nesting grounds for threatened leatherback and hawksbill turtles, and one of Tobago’s healthiest coral reef systems, Rocky Point also supports vital community, tourism, and recreational activities.

Despite repeated concerns raised during the EIA process about environmental impacts and mitigation measures, key issues remain insufficiently addressed.

We recognise development is ongoing in Trinidad and Tobago, but it must be balanced with science, transparency, and the protection of our natural heritage.

SpeSeas will continue to advocate for evidence-based decision-making and the long-term safeguarding of our coastal and marine ecosystems alongside sustainable development. 🌿🌎

Learn more ➡️ https://speseas.org/2026/05/16/public-statement-granting-of-the-certificate-of-environmental-clearance-for-rocky-point-development/

07/05/2026

Sustainable Practices
Sustainable fishing is not just about catching fewer fish; it’s about fishing smarter to ensure our oceans remain healthy and productive for generations to come. In the world of fisheries management, these practices are the backbone of a resilient and equitable blue economy.
Why is sustainable fishing so critical for effective fisheries management? Here are the key reasons:

🌊 Protecting Marine Ecosystems
Sustainable fishing is the foundation of a healthy ocean. Using selective gear and avoiding sensitive habitats helps maintain biodiversity and the delicate balance of marine life. A thriving ecosystem is more resilient to challenges like climate change and pollution, ensuring that our oceans continue to provide for us in the long run.

🐟 Securing Food for the Future
As our global population grows, the demand for seafood is increasing. Sustainable fishing practices help rebuild and maintain healthy fish populations, ensuring a stable supply of nutrient-rich protein. This contributes directly to global food security, reducing hunger and poverty worldwide.

💼 Supporting Livelihoods and Communities
Sustainable fisheries mean reliable income and long-term stability for millions of people. Over 38 million people work in wild-capture fisheries, and many coastal communities rely on this industry for their livelihoods. Well-managed, sustainable fisheries are more productive and profitable, fostering economic prosperity and social equity.

In a well-managed fishery, sustainable practices are not optional – they are essential for long-term health and success. They create a win-win situation, benefiting fishers, consumers, and the environment.

What are your thoughts on sustainable fishing? See what Future Fishers have done in this area.

01/05/2026

We need a shift in perspective, and the 'Expanding Downstream' initiative from Future Fishers provides a compelling blueprint for transformative, sustainable growth through strategic value-addition.
This isn't just a project; it's a model for re-engineering the entire local economic value chain. Why is this pivot essential for the big picture and as a game-changer?

📈 Market-Driven Value, Not Just Volume: Instead of competing as raw commodity suppliers, fishers are transformed into product innovators. Creating high-demand items (like Smoked and Salted Fish), backed by 75% customer support form market research, secures better prices and creates new revenue streams.

🤝 Community and Institutional Strength: Establishing the East Trinidad Cooperative Society Limited gives fishers a structured, member-led voice. It provides a platform for aggregation, collective marketing, and transparent operations, making the community fundable and resilient.

👩‍🍳 Capacity Building for the Future: Investing in people is core. Training more producers in value-added production moves workers from a processing function to becoming skilled product developers.

🏢 Scalable Infrastructure and Templates: Designing the Fishers Business Hub provides the physical infrastructure and, critically, a replicable template for decentralised scaling across other regions.

📋 Business Planning: Utilising 36 completed business plans ensures each venture is strategic, data-backed, and optimised for success, attracting funding.

The Big Picture: Expanding downstream moves coastal communities from being suppliers at the base of the food chain to becoming owners of the full value chain. This journey from raw ingredient to market-ready product is how we build long-term economic resilience, create high-quality local jobs, and ensure sustainable prosperity for our coastal regions.
This is the future of sustainable coastal economies. What other industries are ripe for a downstream expansion? Let's discuss.

26/04/2026

The Bottom Line Beneath the Surface: Why We Must Lower the Cost of Fishing- Pillar 2
In the global seafood industry, we often talk about "yield" and "sustainability." But there is a quieter, more urgent metric that determines whether a fleet stays afloat or sinks: the cost of operation.
Fishing remains one of the most capital-intensive ways to put food on a plate. From skyrocketing fuel prices to the rising cost of specialized gear and maintenance, the "cost of doing business" is reaching a breaking point for many.

Why this matters for everyone (not just fishers): 🐟🛡️
• Global Food Security: Seafood is a primary protein source for over 3 billion people. When it costs more to catch fish, those costs are inevitably passed down to the most vulnerable consumers.
• Economic Resilience: Small-scale and artisanal fishers are the backbone of coastal economies. High overhead doesn't just cut profits; it erases livelihoods.
• The Sustainability Gap: When margins are razor-thin, the capital required to invest in new gear or asset repair from bad weather remains out of reach. Lowering operational costs creates the "breathing room" needed for innovation.

The Path Forward: We don't need more subsidies; we need better efficiency. This means better legislation, better bait management, investing in data-driven fuel management, optimizing supply chains to reduce middleman friction, and adopting modular tech that scales with the user.

If we want a sustainable blue economy, we have to make it an affordable one first.
What’s the biggest "hidden cost" you’re seeing in the industry today?

Let’s discuss in the comments.

22/04/2026

Protecting What’s Beneath the Surface with Pillar 1🌊
Our oceans are more than just water—they are the lifeblood of our coastal communities. But to protect our marine "nurseries," we first have to understand exactly where they are and how they’re changing.
By merging local fishers' wisdom with high-tech drone and sonar mapping, we are building a clearer picture of our coral reefs and habitats than ever before. This isn't just about data; it’s about ensuring that our fisheries remain healthy and sustainable for generations to come.
The impact so far:
• ✅ 87 Local Fishers engaged in the process.
• ✅ 26 Fishers trained in advanced mapping techniques.
• ✅ 4 Detailed Habitat Maps produced to guide conservation.
When we combine community knowledge with modern technology, we create a stronger future for our sea and the people who depend on it. 🐟🛡️

22/04/2026

20/04/2026

🐟 Zanzibar's fisheries face real governance challenges, but there's a path forward.

WorldFish, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) released a policy brief that digs into how incentive-based approaches can transform the way fisheries are managed in Zanzibar.

The brief is grounded in rigorous research: literature reviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with those closest to the water, funded by UK in Tanzania.

This is a call to better integrate social protection with fisheries management and coastal conservation to support a more inclusive, resilient, and effective fisheries governance in Zanzibar.

🔗 Access the brief:
https://worldfishcenter.org/publication/incentive-based-approaches-game-changer-zanzibars-fisheries

20/04/2026

Nine problems keep showing up in the fishing sector.
We do not treat them as nine separate fights.
We link them to one plan, using five connected pillars.

Pillar 1: Habitat and nursery protection
Pillar 2: Managing Cost
Pillar 3: Building downstream value and better markets
Pillar 4: Sustainable practices for quality catch and reducing bycatch
Pillar 5: Policy and legislation reform

Check out our website for more details.
https://futurefishers.org/5-pillar-strategic-approach/

In the next few posts, we will show how we used the 5 pillars tackle the real issues over the last 5 years.


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18/04/2026

Our local fishing industry is important to food security in Trinidad & Tobago, but right now, our fishers are navigating some incredibly difficult times linked to some old and new challenges.
To ensure a sustainable future for our oceans and our dinner tables, we must address these 9 critical challenges facing the small-scale fishers:
1. Outdated Legislation
2. Bait Access Issues
3. Low Fish Prices
4. Limited Training Opportunities
5. Competition for Traditional Fishing Grounds
6. High Operating Costs
7. Climate Change Impacts
8. Poor Landing Site Infrastructure
9. Resource Depletion

Why does this matter? Because when we support our fishers, we support our economy, our environment, and our local heritage. Addressing these issues isn't just an "industry problem"—it’s a national priority. 🐟📈
Let’s advocate for the changes needed to keep our fishing industry afloat.

04/04/2026

From our coasts to your table and beyond, the heartbeat of our coastal communities is vital to our twin islands' future. 🇹🇹🐟

Fishers are more than just providers of seafood; they are essential partners in Trinidad and Tobago's resilience and development.

In this new graphic, we outline 7 key ways our fishers shape our nation:

1️⃣ Food Security: Delivering fresh, affordable local protein and reducing reliance on imports.
2️⃣ Livelihoods: Powering rural economies and supporting thousands of families.
3️⃣ Economic Contribution: Generating export earnings and linking value chains far beyond the beach.
4️⃣ Coastal Stewardship: Acting as the first line of defence with crucial local knowledge of ecological changes.
5️⃣ Climate Change Adaptation: Strengthened through resilience-building projects and local insights.
6️⃣ Governance: Driving participatory management of our marine resources.
7️⃣ Social & Cultural Value: Preserving the traditions, skills, and identity that make our coastal communities unique.

Join us in celebrating our fishers and supporting sustainable fisheries management for generations to come.

👇 Which of these contributions is most important to you? Let us know in the comments!

&T