Dominica’s fisheries and aquaculture sector is entering a new phase of development, with government confirming that several initiatives are now underway to boost production, research, and value-added processing.
Officials reported that a long-planned fisheries laboratory will be made operational this year, providing the capacity to test, certify, and develop new fish-based products. The move aims to support local processors experimenting with dried, smoked, and packaged fish and to help shift the island away from selling only raw catches.
Currently, 10–11 farmers are involved in freshwater prawn and tilapia farming. Support teams are ensuring ponds are properly stocked and maintained to secure viable yields. In mariculture, seamoss farming is receiving fresh backing, particularly in the northeast and west coast. One pilot site is being developed at One Mile in the north, with expansion planned at the Jimmit hatchery. A new local tilapia strain, tentatively branded “Dominica Red,” is being developed to overcome Dominicans’ limited appetite for traditional tilapia. The government hopes this will create a stronger domestic market for farmed fish.
The Chinese Technical Mission is playing a key role in advancing aquaculture. An aquaculture expert has been assigned to assess and enhance the island’s crayfish populations, with an eye on commercializing them for restaurants. This partnership also supports the establishment of new aquaculture sites and expansion of research into local species.
Restaurant owners and processors are expected to benefit directly from a more consistent supply of prawns, crayfish, and seamoss products. Officials argue that these measures will improve food security, create local jobs, and provide new export opportunities, especially as Dominica works toward its national target of $700 million in agricultural GDP by 2030.
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