Abstract

The Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Professional Development Program represents a partnership between the NOAA Sea Grant Program, the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism. The program was developed to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing among organizations that manage and promote the sustainability of fisheries resources. This program provides an excellent opportunity to bridge knowledge for marine and fisheries professionals around the needs and capacity shortages present in participating countries. Due to its success in the Caribbean Region, the program has recently been expanded to the South Pacific through a partnership with Hawaii Sea Grant. The program offers a four-month training opportunity at the University of Florida. The successful candidate is matched with Florida Sea Grant-affiliated faculty that works alongside them to close an skill/knowledge gap in fisheries management and helps them to implement an ongoing or proposed project of their choosing that is related to a need identified by the awardee’s organization. Since 2011, the program has received 42 applications and has awarded training grants to seven Caribbean-based fisheries management professionals who will be profiled in this presentation. Learning options will also be discussed, including specialized certificates and distance learning courses at the University of Florida.

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