Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI)

06/17/2026

Today we feature another : Josselyn Bryan Arboleda, a Master's Student in Marine Science at the National University of Colombia.

Joss found her calling during a visit to a cay in the San Andrés Archipelago, where swimming alongside a reef shark transformed fear into fascination. Though she had been studying to become an air traffic controller, that encounter inspired her to pursue marine biology, despite her parents’ wishes, and she now contributes to coastal ecosystem conservation and lionfish research. Her hope is sustained by the resilience of the Raizal community and the ecosystems of Providencia Island, where corals, mangroves, and seagrasses, and the people who depend on them, have endured in the face of hurricanes. As a young woman stepping into leadership roles, she has faced being underestimated, yet she views each challenge as an opportunity to open doors for others. Support systems that recognize both the scientist and the woman, especially as a mother balancing professional growth, have been crucial to her resilience. Inspired by her aunt Marlin Archbol, a sailor and fisherwoman, and ocean advocate Sylvia Earle, Josselyn encourages girls to persevere: the journey may be difficult, but if it is your dream, it is worth fighting for.

To read Josselyn's full story, please visit: https://www.gcfi.org/gcfi-women-in-ocean-science/josselyn/

06/17/2026

Today we feature another : Hayley-Jo Carr, Freelance Marine Conservation and Ecosystem Restoration Specialist.

Hayley-Jo. developed her passion for the ocean growing up on the beaches of Cornwall, UK, and through her travels and scuba diving experiences, where she witnessed firsthand the impacts of human activity on coral reefs. She finds hope and pride in seeing nursery-reared corals successfully spawn in the wild and in training women in diving and coral restoration, many of whom have gone on to educate and inspire others in ocean conservation. Hayley-Jo notes that while women can enter marine science, they often face barriers to advancement, senior roles, and equitable pay. Volunteering and networking early in her career provided crucial experience and connections that helped her succeed. She encourages girls to embrace their curiosity, determination, and voice, highlighting that a career in marine science offers the chance to make a lasting difference, supported by a growing community of women already working in the field.

To read her full story, please visit: https://www.gcfi.org/gcfi-women-in-ocean-science/hayley-jo/

06/16/2026

After Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Puerto Rico’s fishing communities didn’t just rebuild, they transformed. With support from marine conservation non-profit Conservación ConCiencia, fishers are leading efforts to restore fisheries, protect endangered species, and strengthen their communities through collaboration, trust, and resilience.

This episode airs tomorrow (June 17, 2026)

After Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Puerto Rico’s fishing communities ...

06/16/2026

Today, we celebrate the sea turtles that have long journeyed through the waters of the Gulf and Caribbean, connecting our marine ecosystems and reminding us of the deep relationship between ocean health and human wellbeing.

Sea turtles are more than iconic marine species, they play an important role in maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reef ecosystems that support fisheries, biodiversity, tourism, and the resilience of coastal communities throughout our region. Their survival is intrinsically linked to the health of the ecosystems and communities that depend on our shared ocean.

The artwork featured today, created by GCFI Executive Director Fadilah Ali, reflects this interconnectedness. Through the depiction of a sea turtle supporting an entire ecosystem, the piece symbolizes the connectivity of our marine ecosystems, the journeys that link our islands and coastlines, and our collective responsibility to protect the species and habitats that sustain us all.

On this World Sea Turtle Day, GCFI invites you to celebrate these remarkable ocean ambassadors and to reaffirm our shared commitment to conserving the marine ecosystems that support both people and nature.

Together, by protecting sea turtles, we are also investing in the health, resilience, and future of our Caribbean communities.

06/16/2026

GCFI is pleased to offer two $1,000 USD Travel Awards to attend the GCFI79 conference in Curaçao from November 2-6, 2026. Full-time students planning to give an oral or e-poster presentation are eligible to apply for these awards.

The deadline for students applying for any of these awards, which includes submitting all supporting documents, is 1 July 2026 and completed applications should be sent to [email protected]. Students will be notified of their application success by August 2026. All applications, including a letter from the advisor, must be in English.

More info available at: https://www.gcfi.org/opportunities/students/

06/15/2026

The Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox, Chief Fisheries Officer of Barbados, an esteemed fisheries scientist, and long-standing member of the GCFI family.

For more than a decade, Dr. Cox was an active and valued contributor to GCFI’s work and mission. Her engagement with the Institute began during her time as a student at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

Throughout her career, Dr. Cox brought knowledge, integrity, and unwavering dedication to every role she undertook. As Chief Fisheries Officer of Barbados, she became a respected regional leader and advocate for evidence-based fisheries management, collaborative governance, and the empowerment of Caribbean fishing communities. Her thoughtful contributions and willingness to share her expertise greatly enriched the work of GCFI and strengthened partnerships throughout the region.

Dr. Cox was also a champion for women in marine and fisheries science. In 2016, she was instrumental in organizing the first Gender in Fisheries Session with other colleagues. She was also part of the team that launched GCFI’s Leading Ladies Calendar, an initiative that celebrated and highlighted the remarkable contributions of women across the Caribbean’s marine and fisheries sectors. Her contributions at GCFI included presentations on managing the sargassum influx, innovative approaches to fishery monitoring and traceability (DigiFish) and more recently on transforming fisheries through data innovation Her involvement with GCFI also reflected her commitment to mentorship, inclusion, and inspiring future generations of ocean professionals.

“Shelly-Ann embodied the spirit of service, collaboration, and excellence that defines our regional community,” said Fadilah Ali, Executive Director of GCFI. “She was a generous colleague, a thoughtful leader, and a passionate advocate for sustainable fisheries. She was always willing to support and her contributions to GCFI and to the wider Caribbean fisheries community leave a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire us.”

On behalf of its Board of Directors, members, and the broader GCFI Family, the Institute extends its deepest condolences to Dr. Cox’s family, friends, colleagues in Barbados, and all those across the region whose lives she touched through her leadership, mentorship, and friendship.

Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox’s passing is a profound loss to the Caribbean fisheries community. She will be remembered not only for her professional accomplishments, but also for her kindness, generosity, and steadfast commitment to advancing sustainable fisheries and empowering people throughout the region.

06/14/2026

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Dr Shelly-Ann Cox, Chief Fisheries Officer of the Barbados Fisheries Division.

Shelly-Ann has been an incredible member of the GCFI Family for numerous years, supporting the involvement of fishers as well as young professionals and has been a pioneer of innovative approaches to fisheries management in the Caribbean and the youngest and first female in this position

GCFI extends its condolences to her friends and family during this incredibly difficult time

So often when we lose someone close to us, we speak of the sting of death. The sudden and absolutely unexpected passing of Chief Fisheries Officer, Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox, this afternoon carries pain that cannot be adequately described as a sting.
This young woman, just 37 years old, lived and worked with a singular purpose: to improve the lives of the men and women who make their living from the sea. A scholar by training and certification, yes but every day of her professional life was devoted to ordinary fisherfolk, whose dignity, livelihood and future she guarded with uncommon passion. She did not simply work in the fishing industry; she lived for it and for them.
With unmatched dedication to the upliftment of the fishing sector in Barbados and all of its practitioners she left us literally while performing her duties, a mere three years and six months into the job. In that short time, she gave more of herself than many do in a lifetime.
Judged on paper, Dr. Cox was an academic of the highest order. Observed on the job, however, she was the consummate promoter and defender of a sector whose business excited her every passion. She went to work every day determined to uplift the lot of ordinary Barbadians who make their living from the sea whether they operated in deep waters or from the shore always insisting that their work be treated with the respect and seriousness it deserves.
She executed Government policies as they relate to fisheries, but she did far more than that. She was relentless in helping to shape an industry that could be resilient in the face of climate crisisand economic uncertainty, urging the adoption of modern techniques and best practices not as abstract ideas, but as tools to secure the future of real people, with real families, in real communities. In every conversation, she treated fisherfolk and their livelihood with dignity, listening carefully, explaining patiently, and always seeking a way to marry science and scholarship with the lived experience on the jetty and at sea. [Continued in comments]

06/13/2026

Calling all students!

The Ronald L. Schmied Scholarship is a GCFI initiative supported by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) as well as private individuals. This 1,500USD scholarship aims to financially assist graduate students interested in marine recreational fisheries who might otherwise not be able to attend the annual GCFI conference and to provide encouragement to the next generation of students interested in marine recreational fisheries.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain recognition, connect with regional experts, and showcase your work at the GCFI Annual Conference .

More info at: https://www.gcfi.org/opportunities/students/
Application Deadline: 1 July, 2026

06/08/2026

Reimagine an ocean where ecosystems thrive, communities flourish, and our collective actions reflect the understanding that we are all connected by the sea.

The ocean knows no borders. Ocean currents, marine species, and the challenges facing our marine environment connect every coastline, island, and community across the Gulf and Caribbean region. What happens in one place can have profound impacts far beyond it.

This World Ocean Day, GCFI invites you to reimagine our relationship with the ocean, not as separate waters divided by geography, but as one interconnected system that sustains life, supports livelihoods, and shapes our shared future.

The artwork featured today, created by GCFI Executive Director Fadilah Ali, reflects this vision of connectivity. Through flowing forms and interconnected marine life, the piece illustrates the invisible links that unite our region and the collective action needed to protect our shared ocean heritage.

As we celebrate World Ocean Day, let us reimagine a future where science, traditional knowledge, collaboration, and conservation work together to build resilient oceans and thriving coastal communities.

Together, we are connected by the ocean. Together, we can shape its future.

06/05/2026

Nature provides some of the most powerful solutions to the challenges facing our planet. Across the Gulf and Caribbean region, coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and healthy coastal ecosystems help store carbon, protect shorelines, sustain fisheries, support biodiversity, and strengthen the resilience of communities in the face of climate change.

This World Environment Day, we are reminded that investing in healthy ecosystems is investing in our future. Protecting and restoring nature is not only essential for conservation, it is critical for climate action, food security, sustainable livelihoods, and the wellbeing of future generations.

At GCFI, we are proud to support the science, partnerships, and regional collaboration needed to advance nature-based solutions and promote the sustainable management of our shared marine resources.

Together, let us be inspired by nature and commit to safeguarding the ecosystems that sustain our region and help build a more resilient future for all.