Antigua & Barbuda Fisheries Division

21/07/2026

Join Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer today on Agriculture on the Move. 9 am on ABS radio

13/07/2026

We will be celebrating the life of the late Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox, Chief Fisheries Officer of Barbados, at 12:30 pm today. The staff of the Fisheries Division expresses deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Cox.

Forever in our hearts!

Ian Horsford
Chief Fisheries Officer, Antigua and Barbuda Fisheries Division
Chair, Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism Executive Committee and Forum

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/07/2026

Are you a registered fisher? Every wondered how we determine legal sizes for lobster, conch, etc. or why we have closed seasons? 🤔Join us from 10:00 am until noon at the Point Wharf Fisheries Complex on Friday 17 July 2026 for our training session on Fisheries Laws and Regulations.

10/07/2026

Training session on Safety at Sea on Wednesday 15 July 2026 at Point Wharf Fisheries Complex, from 10 am to noon. Looking forward to your attendance and engagement😊

14/06/2026

The staff of Antigua and Barbuda Fisheries Division expresses deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox, Chief Fisheries Officer of Barbados. Her strong advocacy for fisherfolks, her contribution to regional fisheries governance as well as her leadership role in sargassum management and climate change adaptation will be deeply missed.

Farewell my friend and colleague…only God knows our path!

Ian Horsford
Chief Fisheries Officer, Antigua and Barbuda Fisheries Division
Chair, Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism Executive Committee and Forum

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment, National Beautification and Fisheries, Santia Bradshaw, has paid tribute to Chief Fisheries Officer Dr Shelly-Ann Cox following her passing.

04/06/2026

https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=985:crfm-ministerial-council-addresses-fisheries-aquaculture-and-blue-economy-priorities-at-20th-regular-meeting&Itemid=179

Belize City, Belize, 3 June 2026 (CRFM)—The Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), a regional inter-governmental bo...

27/04/2026

NOTICE OF LOBSTER AND PARROTFISH CLOSED SEASON:

Please be advised that the closed season for the Caribbean spiny lobster begins on the 1st day of May and ends on the 30th day of June. During the closed season, no person shall fish for, take, place for sale, purchase or have in POSSESSION any Caribbean spiny lobster. Also note that the closed season for parrotfish (locally called “chub”) starts from the 1st of May and ends on the 31st of July. No person shall fish for, take, place for sale, purchase or have in POSSESSION any parrotfish (“chub”) during this time. Any one contravening this regulation commits an offence under the Fisheries Regulations and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand dollars (XCD50,000.00). The closed seasons represent the peak spawning period for these species. To report violations, contact the Fisheries Division at [email protected] or [email protected] or at 462-1372 or 462-6106.

Respectfully,
Ian Horsford
Chief Fisheries Officer

27/04/2026

Antigua and Barbuda assumed the chairmanship of the Caribbean Fisheries Forum

Belize City, Belize, 24 April 2026 (CRFM)—The Caribbean Fisheries Forum, comprised of 17 heads of fisheries authorities across the Caribbean Community...

22/04/2026

World Earth Day: A Call to Protect, Preserve and Lead
By Tyreke G. Thomas-Horsford

Every year on April 22nd, the world pauses to recognize World Earth Day—a moment that reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect the only home we have. But Earth Day is more than a date on the calendar; it is a global movement, a call to action, and a powerful reminder that the future of our planet depends on the choices we make today.

Our environment is speaking to us—through rising temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns, coral reef degradation, and increasing natural disasters. For small island developing states like those in the Caribbean, the effects of climate change are not distant threats; they are present realities. Coastal erosion, stronger hurricanes, and threats to biodiversity are impacting livelihoods, economies, and ecosystems in ways we can no longer ignore.

Earth Day challenges us to reflect not only on the problems but also on the solutions. It asks each of us—leaders, citizens, youth and communities—to step forward and play our part. Protecting our planet does not always require grand gestures; it begins with simple, intentional actions. Reducing waste, conserving energy, supporting sustainable practices, and educating others are all meaningful steps toward change.

However, real transformation happens when awareness turns into leadership. We must move beyond conversations and into commitment. Governments must strengthen environmental policies, organizations must adopt sustainable operations and communities must unite in collective action. Most importantly, young people must be empowered as environmental stewards, equipped with the knowledge and opportunities to drive innovation and advocacy.

As we observe World Earth Day, let us remember that the Earth does not belong to us—we belong to the Earth. The responsibility we carry is not just for ourselves, but for future generations who will inherit the consequences of our decisions.

Let this Earth Day be a turning point. Let it inspire us to act boldly, think sustainably, and lead responsibly. Because when we protect the Earth, we are ultimately protecting our future.
The time to act is now. The Earth is counting on us.