Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, alongside four other Caribbean nations, has launched a USD 12.55 million regional project to build climate and disaster resilience across the fisheries sector and coastal communities.
The initiative, titled the Climate Change Resilience in the Caribbean Fisheries Sector Project (CC4FISH-II), was officially launched at an Inception Meeting in Dominica on September 15, 2026.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project is spearheaded by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and national partners, with implementation running through 2030.
Across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago, more than 21,800 people—including small-scale fisherfolk, boat owners, vendors, traders, and processors—are set to benefit directly from the initiative. The project places special emphasis on advancing leadership, economic opportunities, and livelihood resilience for women and youth in coastal fishing communities.
The project addresses urgent climate threats, including extreme weather events, changing ocean conditions, habitat degradation, and infrastructure damage, which threaten regional food security, local incomes, and key sectors like tourism.
Building on the foundation of the initial CC4FISH project (2017–2022), CC4FISH-II will implement practical interventions across four key pillars:
- Climate-Ready Boats & Infrastructure: Introducing safer, fuel-efficient fishing vessels while strengthening fish landing sites, processing facilities, and markets against severe weather.
- Ecosystem Restoration & Monitoring: Engaging local communities to restore damaged coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, alongside enhanced tracking of marine ecosystem health.
- Policy Integration & Financial Access: Incorporating climate adaptation and disaster risk management into national fisheries policies while expanding fisherfolk access to insurance and financial services.
- Regional Knowledge Sharing: Establishing a Community of Practice to share best practices and scalable solutions across CARICOM member states
Regional officials highlighted the critical importance of unity in confronting climate challenges. Honourable Lakeyia Joseph, Dominica’s Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, noted that no single nation can address climate impacts alone.
Dr. Renata Clarke, FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean, described CC4FISH-II as a vital investment in protecting marine resources and regional food security.
Additionally, CCCCC Executive Director Dr. Colin Young emphasized that the program will equip fishing communities with the tools needed to recover faster and adapt more effectively to climate events.
