The Fisheries Division has marked fifty years of service to Dominica with a church service and an awards ceremony honouring fishers, staff and partners who have shaped the sector since its establishment in 1976.
The golden jubilee celebration brought together current and former officers of the division, representatives of fisherfolk organisations and government officials, with the milestone framed as a moment to recognise the contribution of fishing to livelihoods, nutrition and the island's economy.
Speakers at the ceremony traced the division's evolution from a small unit focused on boats and gear to a department responsible for fisheries management, data collection, extension services, training and support for coastal communities from Portsmouth to Grand Bay and the Kalinago Territory.
Awards were presented to individuals and groups whose work has sustained the sector over the decades, including long-serving staff and fishers recognised for their contribution to the industry.
The jubilee comes as the division continues work on priorities including sustainable management of fish stocks, support for fisherfolk in accessing markets, and the safety of those who go to sea. Officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of accurate catch data and compliance with conservation measures to protect the resource on which the sector depends.
Fishing remains an important source of employment and food security in Dominica, with landing sites and fishing communities spread along the coast. The division's extension officers work directly with fishers on matters ranging from vessel registration to the use of improved gear and techniques.
The celebration also served as an occasion to look ahead, with attention on the challenges facing the sector, including the effects of severe weather, changes in the marine environment and the need to keep younger people involved in fishing and related enterprises.
The Fisheries Division falls under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, which has identified the blue economy as a priority area for national development. The jubilee provided an opportunity to highlight the link between the division's day-to-day work and that wider policy direction.
Organisers thanked the fishers and families who have supported the division's work over five decades, noting that the sector's strength rests on the people who go to sea and the communities that depend on them.