Stakeholders call for strengthened partnerships aimed at achieving sustainable, inclusive fisheries management

– as UG, MOA host inaugural fisheries research symposium

The University of Guyana’s (UG) Faculties of Natural Sciences (FNS), Agriculture and Forestry (FAF), and the Agriculture Ministry’s Fisheries Department last week hosted the inaugural Fisheries Research Symposium with stakeholders calling for stronger collaborations between academia, Government agencies, and industry to ensure the fisheries sector is developed and managed in an inclusive and sustainable manner. The event held at UG’s Turkeyen Campus under the theme “Empowering Communities: Fisheries as a Catalyst for Inclusive Agri-Food Transformation” and brought together researchers, students, policymakers, fisherfolk, and other stakeholders from across Guyana’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors to share cutting-edge research and strengthen partnerships aimed at achieving sustainable and inclusive fisheries management.

With over 100 participants joining both online and in person, the event showcased the University’s leadership in applied fisheries science and its commitment to national development through collaborative research. Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vikash Ramkissoon underlined the importance of the symposium and noted that it should be an annual activity bringing together a wide cross-section of stakeholders to share research data, experiences and insights into the sustainable management of the fisheries sector. “The fisheries sector is ripe for research ideas, as there is need for more research in the marine, aquaculture, and inland fisheries. We are willing to work with all our partners in promoting, supporting, and participating in research activities that will benefit the sector and the country as a whole,” Ramkissoon stated.

He noted that the Fisheries Department is responsible for managing, regulating and promoting the sustainable development of the nation’s fishery resources. To ensure that this is done effectively, he said, “…informed management decisions must be made. Working along with the fisherfolk, ensuring data collection, analysis and research are some components which make for effective management of the sector.” Vice-Chancellor of UG, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, in her opening remarks, underscored the role of research in informing policy and practice. She highlighted the cutting-edge research being undertaken by various departments within the University in relation to agriculture, fisheries and the marine and aquatic sciences. She noted that UG’s Biodiversity Centre, in particular, was part of an international research team last year that identified several new species of fish globally. “What was special about that is that, for the first time in our country’s history, we were actually able to identify those species here in Guyana at the University of Guyana using our own labs. So, the work of genetics here at the University, identification, mapping, etc., can now be done in-country instead of having to send our samples away for long periods to other universities and institutions. Of course, the cost and time have been reduced.” In addition to the ground-breaking research being done by the Faculties of Natural Sciences and Agriculture and Forestry, the Vice-Chancellor noted that UG’s Institute of Food and Nutrition Security (IFANS) is currently working on how to preserve surplus produce and how to create climate-resilient species in certain parts of Guyana and the Caribbean.
Mohamed-Martin also pointed to UG’s Institute of Marine and Riverine Ecologies and Economies (IMAREE), which is currently focusing on marine law, marine biology, port development and management and riverine economies—how they are to be developed, protected, and projected. Chief Fisheries Officer of the Agriculture Ministry, Denzil Roberts, noted that “fisheries remain vital to our national development, supporting food security, employment, and community livelihoods, while contributing to the sustainable use of our marine and inland resources.” He added that the Ministry is focused on implementing strategic initiatives aimed at sustainability, modernisation, and inclusive growth within the agri-food system, noting that “research, science and technology are the pillars of this transformation.” Roberts highlighted that the Government recognises that sustainable fisheries management “must be grounded in evidence-based decision-making, and establishing a strong partnership between the Fisheries Department and the University of Guyana is an essential component of this process.”
The symposium featured a diverse range of presentations highlighting ongoing and emerging research conducted by faculty and students at UG. Lecturer in UG’s Department of Biology, Dr Mark Ram presented his findings on marine microplastic pollution in commercially important fish species, underscoring the environmental threats posed by plastic contamination in Guyana’s marine ecosystem.
In addition, Lecturer in UG’s Department of Biology, Rovindra Lakenarine while presenting his study on bycatch in small-scale fisheries, called for a collaborative and multisectoral approach to reduce discards in small-scale fisheries, emphasising the importance of integrating fisher knowledge with science-based management.
Lecturer in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Samantha Providence-Forrester explored consumer behaviour and the factors influencing hassar consumption, providing insights into market dynamics and food security. BSc Biology graduate Judea Crandon shared her research on gender roles in small-scale fisheries, highlighting the critical contributions of women across the fisheries value chain.
The UG Biology Club also delivered an engaging presentation on the role of advocacy and youth engagement in raising awareness about issues facing small-scale fishers. Additionally, Fisheries Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Randy Bumbury, examined the challenges and opportunities in small-scale fisheries in Guyana. Several other presentations focused on the potential and progress of inland fisheries and aquaculture development across the country.
Beyond the exchange of scientific knowledge, the symposium served as a networking platform for building partnerships between UG and the Fisheries Department, as well as with other national and regional stakeholders. Discussions centred on establishing joint research projects, enhancing data sharing, and developing evidence-based policies to support sustainable fisheries management.
According to organisers, the event marks a significant step towards creating a more cohesive research ecosystem that bridges academia, Government and industry.
The symposium’s success reflects the growing recognition of the fisheries sector as a critical driver of livelihoods, food security, and national development. It also reaffirms UG’s role as a hub for scientific inquiry and policy engagement in support of the Ministry of Agriculture’s vision for a sustainable and inclusive agri-food system. UG, through its students, faculty and research institutes, has consistently produced path-breaking research that continues to add to the existing body of knowledge in various areas of academic inquiry. Within the last four years alone, the world ranking of the UG has risen by over 300 points and is steadily climbing towards the upper quartile of academic institutions worldwide.