BASSETERRE: As the 19th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA ) gains momentum in St. Kitts, Minister of Agriculture the Hon. Samal Duggins, celebrateD a vibrant Seafood Night at the Old Road Fisheries Complex last evening (September 30). The event, drawing locals and regional delegates, transformed fresh catches into culinary masterpieces, underscoring the ocean’s role in the Federation’s agricultural tapestry.
“From the fresh catch of our fisherfolk to the dishes that highlighted the richness of our seas, it was a reminder that agriculture is not only rooted in the soil but also in the ocean,” Minister Duggins said, emphasizing community pride and sustainable practices.
On employment: Data from the CRFM indicates approximately 350 fishers on St. Kitts (46% full-time) and 300 on Nevis (70% full-time), totaling around 650 active participants as of 2013—the most detailed public breakdown available.
This showcase forms a key thread in CWA fabric, running from September 29 to October 3 under the theme “Sowing Change, Harvesting Resilience: Transforming Our Caribbean Food Systems for 2025 and Beyond.” Hosted at venues like the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, the week featured high-level fisheries discussions convened by the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), focusing on aquaculture, food security, and marine sustainability.
Yet, the celebration comes against a backdrop of persistent challenges. Sargassum influxes since 2011 have entangled gear, disrupted operations, and imposed major cleanup costs. CRFM reports highlight how these sargassum blooms reduce access to fishing grounds, threatening small-scale operators in communities like Old Road — home to the event’s venue.
Duggins’ Facebook post reaffirms the Federation’s commitment: “Here in St. Kitts and Nevis, we continue to raise the standard by honoring the work of our fisherfolk and promoting sustainable use of our marine resources for generations to come.”
Opportunities abound, however. CWA’s Marine Expo (October 2-3) at the 30th Agriculture Open Day will demo innovative tech like sargassum-derived biostimulants, potentially turning the weed into fertilizers for local farms while bolstering fisheries resilience. For residents, this means diversified incomes — perhaps through eco-tourism or value-added seafood exports — and stronger food sovereignty amid climate shifts. As Duggins noted, fisheries underpin “food security, livelihoods, and cultural identity” across the Caribbean.