Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith Jr. says aquaculture is set to play a central role in Antigua and Barbuda’s blue economy strategy, following the country’s first-ever fisheries training program that certified 92 participants.
Speaking on ABS Television’s Government in Motion, Smith said traditional fishing methods alone cannot meet growing local demand or the prospects for export. “Aquaculture is going to play a very vital role in the fisheries and the blue economy sector here in Antigua and Barbuda,” he said.
The seminar, held in partnership with the People’s Republic of China, introduced participants to modern techniques in both freshwater and ocean-based farming. Smith described China as “the global leader in aquaculture” and said the collaboration marks an important step in diversifying the nation’s food production.
He added that Antigua and Barbuda’s Blue Economy Department, still less than a decade old, has a mandate to create sustainable income streams from the sea while ensuring marine resources are protected. “While we see opportunities in aquaculture, the health of our ocean will always remain the most important aspect of whatever we do,” Smith said.
Officials say the training program is part of a larger blueprint that includes marine spatial mapping, ocean farming, and research partnerships with the University of the West Indies’ Centre of Excellence for the Blue Economy.
Smith noted that beyond boosting food security, aquaculture presents new opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and exports. “It is an industry that, if developed carefully and sustainably, can create real value for our farmers and fishers,” he said.
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