Buccament Bay, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – May 22, 2025 — Local fisherfolk across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are celebrating a major step forward in building stronger ties with the tourism sector, following a two-day workshop hosted by Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in partnership with the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO).
Held on May 12 and 13 at Sandals Saint Vincent in Buccament Bay, the workshop provided valuable guidance to the fishing community on how to meet hospitality standards and supply high-quality seafood to resorts like Sandals. The initiative is part of a broader effort to create sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships between the fishing and tourism industries across the region.
Winsbert Harry, President of the National Fisherfolk Organisation (NFO), which represents over 800 members, praised the effort for bridging a long-standing communication gap.
> “We have always wanted more Vincentian fish to be on the dish at Sandals,” Harry said. “Now that we understand the standards and expectations, we’re in a better position to get the community on board. It’s time for us to elevate our practices and approach fishing as a business.”
Harry also commended Sandals Resorts and the CNFO for their proactive engagement, which he believes will build the capacity of local fisherfolk and help them access more profitable markets within the tourism industry.
Mitchell Lay, Programme Coordinator of the CNFO—which represents 17 fisherfolk organizations throughout the Caribbean—said Sandals has proven to be a willing and valuable partner in this effort.
> “This workshop represents a real opportunity to strengthen national organizations, improve fisherfolk livelihoods, and align our efforts with global sustainability goals,” Lay said. “It’s about creating real impact—not just on the sea, but on food systems, dignity, and economic growth.”
According to Lay, the workshop also helped introduce Vincentian participants to global fisheries policies and sustainable practices that, if applied effectively, could advance national and regional development goals.
The collaboration signals the first of a series of similar initiatives across the Caribbean. Jamaica is slated to host the next workshop.
Sandals Resorts’ Senior Manager for Purchasing, Matthew Flynn, who chaired the sessions, outlined several key goals for the initiative:
Establishing a Sandals Local Seafood Sourcing Policy
Providing detailed product specifications and visual standards
Sharing annual seafood demand forecasts to aid fisherfolk planning
Integrating local fish species into resort menus
Supporting cold chain infrastructure, such as shared ice machines
Flynn said the resort chain is committed to building a traceable, high-quality seafood supply chain, supported by training in handling, hygiene, and cooperative development. The long-term goal includes creating a branded, locally sourced product line.
The workshop has sparked renewed optimism among Vincentian fisherfolk, who are eager to work collaboratively with the hospitality sector to ensure that their catch not only sustains their livelihoods but also enhances the culinary offerings of the island’s booming tourism industry.
