Abstract

Aquaculture in the CARICOM is poorly developed; of the 15 member states, four account for the majority of aquaculture production- Jamaica, Belize, Haiti and Guyana. Total production for CARICOM countries is 3 402 metric tonnes, valued at 13 305 000 USD (2020). Almost ¾ of the aquaculture production in the CARICOM countries focuses on freshwater species; ¼ on brackish and <5% on marine species. Most CARICOM states have limited land and freshwater resources, and mariculture is considered as a new focus for diversification and expansion of the sector. Most of the production and contribution to GDP stems from Tilapia- an introduced, exotic species-. Commercial scale culture techniques are known for several species native to some of the CARICOM states; some of which contribute to food security, such as finfish species Casacadura and Black acara, brackish water shrimps, and Euchema Isiforme seaweed. Of interest to CARICOM member states, are the mangrove oyster, queen conch and spiny lobster, cultured in other countries of the Caribbean. The new Digital Aquaculture Library- an online registry of regulators, experts and funders- addresses the lack of knowledge and skillset identified as a major limitation to aquaculture development in the CARICOM. It provides the means to 1) exchange information between CARICOM countries and Caribbean states, 2) facilitate training and the transfer of technical know-how, 3) increase investments, and 4) pool regional resources to build infrastructure. Recommendations are given in using the Digital Aquaculture Library tool to assist the development of sustainable and resilient aquaculture in the CARICOM