Abstract

Marine resources provide significant benefits to the Caribbean region by providing food security, livelihood, and employment at the local level. Much of the local catch is exported to provide significant foreign exchange which, providing significant economic gains which ties the country with international consumers. It is imperative that these resources be protected from over-exploitation and used sustainably if that these marine products are to be available in the future. One way to achieve this goal is to teach the same fundamental marine conservation concepts across the region. Such a program would also protect and strengthen all national and local economic structures dependent upon healthy marine ecosystems. An individual’s mother tongue connects him/her to their ethnic group, shapes their identity, and strengthens pride and self-worth. Language is integral in affirming and maintaining wellbeing, self-esteem and a strong sense of identity. Languages contain complex nuances connecting people’s culture and their surrounding ecosystems. Cultural heritage and knowledge is passed on throughout each generation by language. A wealth of evidence associates health, education, and employment with general wellbeing and culture. Indigenous languages connect people to their culture. Educating fisher-folk and youth in their home language allows them to engage and improve marine governance in the region. As sharehold-ers local peoples should be involved in using local mechanisms and local culture to integrate their knowledge to chart their course into the future. Our program provides poly-lingual teaching materials that can used in many areas of the region.

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