Enhancing the sustainability of fisheries in the Caribbean through innovative technologies such as Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, satellite remote sensing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) was the central theme of a webinar hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on May 12, 2025. The event brought together 29 participants from fisheries agencies across Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The FAO indicated that during the session, its Senior Fishery Officer, Raymon van Anrooy, along with Ms. Sofiya Tumanova, an FAO Fisheries Intern, shared detailed insights into how these advanced tools can facilitate fleet monitoring of small-scale fishing vessels and reduce operational costs. The organization reports that the discussion was especially significant given the limited staffing and financial capacity of Caribbean fisheries administrations for effective management.
In 2024, the Climate Change Resilience in the Caribbean Fisheries Sector project (CC4FISH-II) compiled an inventory of fisheries infrastructure in five Caribbean nations: Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The webinar expanded on this work.
According to the FAO release, the inventory, developed using the World Bank/FAO “Fisheries Infrastructure Assessment Tool (FIAT),” evaluated the current state and sufficiency of infrastructure such as multipurpose harbors, beach landing sites, slipways, piers, jetties, and breakwaters. These facilities serve critical functions for vessel operations and seafood businesses along the entire value chain, supporting livelihoods and income generation for those involved in fisheries.
The majority of these infrastructures, aged between 18 and 30 years, have been financed through a mix of donor, private, and public funds. Approximately 76% of the sites are equipped with essential amenities such as freshwater and electrical supplies, ice facilities, and areas designated for boat repairs.
Given the frequent natural disasters that impact Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), notably hurricanes, digital tools like GIS mapping are invaluable for planning and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure.
Mapping the locations of primary fishing sites, distribution of boats and fishermen, and available amenities visually consolidates scattered data, aiding in strategic planning for upgrades and resilience measures. These maps can also display the volume of fish landed and the infrastructure’s condition, providing a comprehensive overview that supports decision-making.
Mr. Justin Rennie, Chief Fisheries Officer of Grenada, who participated in the webinar, emphasized the importance of these maps for fisheries management. He remarked, “The Grenada Fisheries Division would be interested in updating the information on the maps from time to time and even adding the economic data by fish landing site.”
Ms. Tumanova highlighted the broader applications of infrastructure mapping, including prioritizing investments, engaging local communities in fisheries development, disaster preparedness, risk management, and ecosystem-based zoning. “FAO will be able to assist the Caribbean countries with developing GIS-based maps of fisheries infrastructure, in close collaboration with Fisheries Divisions and other stakeholders,” she stated.
Raymon van Anrooy added that Ms. Tumanova is currently testing and training an AI model capable of identifying fishing boats in satellite imagery. “This process involves distinguishing fishing vessels from ferries, yachts, transport ships, and other recreational boats. The model can count different vessel types, estimate their average sizes, and provide details about their purposes. With further training, this detection technology could become highly accurate, aiding in updating national vessel registries and records,” he explained.
He also pointed out the challenge fisheries managers face in tracking vessel activity, as small fishing boats often lack AIS (Automatic Identification Systems) or VMS (Vessel Monitoring Systems). However, by integrating remote sensing, digital maps such as Google Earth, and AI technologies, it is possible to detect and identify fishing vessels effectively.
Caribbean nations are encouraged by the FAO to further develop these innovative, cost-effective data-driven tools to address management challenges. The organization stated that it remains dedicated to partnering with the sector to introduce these cutting-edge solutions, supporting the sustainable development and management of fisheries in the region.
