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  • Record Sargassum Is Winning Against Cleanup Efforts

    Record Sargassum Is Winning Against Cleanup Efforts

    Just over one week after a collaborative community revitalization project transformed Boca del Rio on Ambergris Caye, a persistent ecological crisis has undermined the initiative’s progress: massive influxes of sargassum seaweed continue to choke the Belizean coastline, overwhelming all ongoing cleanup efforts.

    The recent makeover project was a partnership between global tech firm Dassault Systèmes and the San Pedro Town Council. Over the course of the initiative, teams repainted public park infrastructure, planted native vegetation to stabilize sand dunes, installed new public safety and conservation signage, planted hundreds of young mangrove seedlings, upgraded local open-air palapa structures, and removed tons of accumulated sargassum from public beaches. The San Pedro Town Council praised the work, noting that the project left the popular coastal recreational area with a fresh, welcoming new look.

    But the sargassum threat has reemerged faster than local teams can manage. A local resident recently shared new footage and photographs captured during a boat trip through Boca del Rio’s old river corridor, showing the entire waterway saturated with thick layers of drifting seaweed. The visual documentation confirms that despite last week’s cleanup, the unrelenting inflow of sargassum has already returned the area to its previously degraded state.

    This crisis is not isolated to Belize’s shorelines. Across the border in neighboring Mexico, federal environmental authorities have issued a red alert for multiple top tourist destinations along the Yucatán Peninsula, including Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, and Mahahual. In all four locations, daily sargassum accumulation is outpacing the capacity of local cleanup crews to remove it, leaving popular beaches blanketed in rotting seaweed that drives away tourists and harms coastal marine life.

    Region-wide, 2026 is on track to shatter all previous records for sargassum blooms. Data from the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab shows that sargassum biomass continued to grow across most of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico regions through May 2026, hitting the highest volume ever recorded for the month of May since systematic monitoring began. Scientists warn that warming ocean temperatures and increasing nutrient runoff from major river systems have created ideal conditions for sargassum growth, turning what was once an occasional natural event into an annual ecological and economic crisis for coastal communities across the region.

  • Commonwealth Observers Urge Timely Resolution of Election Petitions

    Commonwealth Observers Urge Timely Resolution of Election Petitions

    Against the backdrop of the April 30, 2026 general election held in Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth Observer Group has published its final assessment, calling for urgent procedural reform to cut down the duration of election petition proceedings across the twin-island nation. In the document, observers warn that extended legal battles over electoral disputes do more than clog court dockets — they gradually erode public trust in both the country’s electoral system and its independent judiciary, threatening the foundational credibility of democratic governance.

    The core recommendation put forward by the group targets both the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) and the national judicial branch. Observers stress that resolving all stages of election-related petitions in a timely, fair and equitable manner is a non-negotiable requirement to safeguard the integrity of electoral outcomes and guarantee that all parties have unimpeded access to justice. “To uphold the credibility of the democratic process, protect electoral integrity, maintain trust in the judicial process and ensure access to justice, it is recommended that all stages of election petitions be concluded in a timely and equitable manner,” the report reads, formalizing the group’s key priority for reform.

    Commonwealth election monitors also note that, while the nation’s existing legal and regulatory framework already provides a sufficient foundation for hosting competitive democratic elections, establishing clearer, binding timelines for election petition processing is one of several critical areas that require targeted updates. This call for reform comes amid a well-documented history of high-stakes election petitions in Antigua and Barbuda’s recent political landscape, where previous contests have spawned legal challenges to sitting elected representatives and disputes over candidate eligibility that dragged on for months or even years.

    On the whole, the observer team’s assessment of the 2026 general election remains largely favorable. Monitors confirmed that the poll was carried out across the country in a peaceful, orderly and transparent fashion. Even so, the group emphasizes that incremental, continuous reforms to electoral administration, dispute resolution protocols and independent oversight mechanisms are necessary to further bolster public confidence in Antigua and Barbuda’s democratic institutions and strengthen the resilience of its electoral system moving forward.

  • Ministry Deletes Statement After Matron Roberts Clinic Assault

    Ministry Deletes Statement After Matron Roberts Clinic Assault

    A viral incident at Belize City’s Matron Roberts Clinic has sparked controversy after Belize’s Ministry of Health and Wellness was forced to retract an official statement addressing the event, when social media users uncovered the text had been entirely generated by artificial intelligence. The incident at the center of the public debate unfolded when 38-year-old Nichole McDonald arrived at the public clinic seeking urgent medical care for a pre-existing injury. Frustrated by extended wait times for a physician to see her, McDonald became physically confrontational with clinic staff, and cell phone footage of staff removing and restraining McDonald outside the clinic spread rapidly across social media platforms over the past week.

    In the immediate aftermath of the video going viral, the Ministry of Health and Wellness released a formal public statement that focused exclusively on condemning violence against healthcare workers. In the deleted text, the ministry emphasized its commitment to protecting healthcare staff, noting that all medical providers hold a fundamental right to carry out their professional responsibilities in an environment free from violence, intimidation, and harm. The statement added that the government body would not accept any form of verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, or physical aggression directed at healthcare personnel working in any public or private health setting across the country, and called on the general public to extend consistent respect to all medical workers.

    But within hours of the statement being published to the ministry’s official channels, members of the public noticed inconsistencies and generic phrasing in the text that suggested it had not been written by ministry staff. After multiple users pointed out the AI origins of the statement, the ministry moved quickly to remove the text from all of its public platforms. As of June 7, 2026, the ministry has not issued a replacement statement addressing the incident, nor has it commented publicly on why an AI-generated text was released in the first place. The incident has sparked new discussion online about government use of artificial intelligence for official communications, as well as ongoing conversations about long-standing issues of overcrowding and extended wait times at public health clinics across Belize.

  • Begroting DNA stijgt met 53%; SRD 125 miljoen extra voor nieuwe vergaderzaal

    Begroting DNA stijgt met 53%; SRD 125 miljoen extra voor nieuwe vergaderzaal

    Suriname’s National Assembly (De Nationale Assemblee, DNA) has greenlit a dramatic budget increase for its 2026 operating and capital expenditures, according to recently released amended budget documents. The legislative body’s total annual budget will jump from an initial projection of 290.9 million Surinamese dollars (SRD) to a revised 446 million SRD, representing a net increase of more than 155 million SRD, or a 53% growth from the original proposal. Budget analysts confirm the overwhelming majority of this additional funding is earmarked to advance the multi-year construction project of a new parliamentary meeting chamber, which has faced repeated delays over the past two years.

  • Grenada community group considers legal action over Woodford’s Rayneau Development

    Grenada community group considers legal action over Woodford’s Rayneau Development

    A local community advocacy group in Grenada has formally notified the national Planning and Development Authority (PDA) of impending judicial review action, contesting the agency’s approval of a large-scale industrial project in the Woodford district of St. John. Founded in 2025 specifically to push back against threats to local environmental and public health, the Woodford Environmental Alliance for Community Transformation (WEACT) represents hundreds of area residents and is being represented in the looming legal battle by international human rights law firm Leigh Day, in partnership with Grenada-based Ciboney Chambers. The disputed development, branded the Rayneau Development, is a sprawling industrial complex combining active quarrying operations, an asphalt manufacturing plant, a concrete batching facility, and a new coastal jetty, all situated in a heavily residential coastal zone.

    While portions of the project secured planning approval via a General Development Order in December 2025, the approval came with explicit conditions: developers were required to complete a full independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), draft and receive approval for an Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plan (ESMMP), and complete all mandatory environmental assessment processes before breaking ground. WEACT alleges that these preconditions were never met, and developers launched site work early despite the outstanding regulatory requirements.

    To date, the group confirms that land clearing, road grading, and large-scale excavation have already been completed, with immediate negative impacts already documented across the local area. Ecological harm already recorded includes the destruction of critical protected habitat for the endangered Grenada dove, a species found almost exclusively on the island. Sediment runoff from the exposed construction site has already contaminated the Douce River, disrupting local water access, while heavy construction activity has damaged local public infrastructure and blocked long-established access routes to small-scale local farms.

    Beyond immediate environmental harm, WEACT warns of significant looming public health risks for the thousands of residents living within close proximity of the site, which is also near multiple local schools and places of worship. The group points to expected chronic air pollution from asphalt and concrete production, as well as constant noise, fine particulate dust, and ground vibration from ongoing quarrying operations that will disrupt daily life and raise long-term respiratory and cardiovascular health risks for local people.

    The development also threatens core community livelihoods that have depended on the Woodford coastal area for generations, WEACT argues, particularly small-scale traditional fishing operations that will be displaced by the jetty and industrial activity. Early archaeological surveys of the area have also identified unexamined cultural and historical heritage sites that could be permanently destroyed by construction, with no mitigation plans in place.

    In the formal pre-action protocol letter delivered to PDA, WEACT outlines multiple counts of unlawful action by the planning authority. These include claims that PDA unlawfully withdrew or abandoned the required full EIA, failed to conduct any meaningful consultation with affected local residents, improperly split the single integrated industrial project into smaller segments to evade stricter planning scrutiny, misused a General Development Order to approve a large specific project that does not qualify for the streamlined process, failed to enforce the binding planning conditions including the requirement for an approved ESMMP, ignored critical environmental, public health, and cultural heritage considerations during approval, failed to implement mandatory safeguards under Grenada’s coastal protection legislation, and acted irrationally and disproportionately in allowing the project to move forward.

    On May 20, 2026, WEACT submitted a formal request for the disclosure of all key internal documents related to the project’s approval, including records of environmental assessment decisions, planning approval meeting minutes, and compliance monitoring reports. The group has given PDA a three-week window to provide full disclosure and address its concerns.

    If the authority fails to deliver a satisfactory response, WEACT will move forward with full judicial review proceedings, asking the court to invalidate the original planning approvals and force the project to comply with all statutory environmental and planning requirements before any further construction can proceed. The legal challenge is supported by the Legal Empowerment Fund managed by the Fund for Global Human Rights, a global non-profit that supports community-led rights advocacy.

    Christelene Henry, a representative of WEACT, emphasized that the community exhausted all other avenues before turning to legal action. “We have watched our community and environment change rapidly without the proper safeguards being followed,” Henry said. “We are already experiencing impacts from dust, noise and disruption, and are deeply concerned about what this development means for our health, livelihoods and natural surroundings. We have tried to raise these concerns but feel we have been left with no option other than to pursue legal action to ensure the law is properly followed and our community is protected.”

    Jacqueline McKenzie, a partner at Leigh Day leading the legal team, noted that the case raises broader questions about regulatory accountability and transparent development decision-making in Grenada. “Our clients have serious concerns this development has been allowed to proceed in breach of Grenada’s planning and environmental laws,” McKenzie said. “The requirement for proper environmental assessment and community consultation is not optional; it is a fundamental safeguard to protect both people and the environment. This case raises important issues about the rule of law, transparency and accountability in decision-making. Our clients hope these matters can be addressed without the need for court proceedings, but they are prepared to pursue further action if necessary.”

  • Woning Robijnstraat in vlammen opgegaan: bedlegerige man naar SEH afgevoerd

    Woning Robijnstraat in vlammen opgegaan: bedlegerige man naar SEH afgevoerd

    A residential property located on Robijnstraat was completely engulfed in flames in the early hours of this morning, leaving the entire structure reduced to ruin after the intense blaze caused catastrophic damage to the building.

    Thankfully, emergency responders managed to safely evacuate a bedridden resident from the burning property before the fire spread further, according to initial information obtained from local authorities.

    The evacuated resident suffered breathing complications after inhaling thick toxic smoke produced during the fire. After receiving on-site first aid from emergency medical teams, the individual was transported via ambulance to the local emergency department for urgent and ongoing medical assessment and treatment.

    Local fire crews arrived at the scene within minutes of the emergency call being placed. Their rapid, coordinated response successfully contained the blaze, stopping it from jumping to adjacent nearby homes and preventing a far larger disaster that would have impacted more local residents. Despite the swift and determined efforts of emergency services, the original residential property was too severely damaged to be saved.

    As of the latest update, investigators have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire. Local police have launched a formal investigation to map out the sequence of events that led to the incident and determine what sparked the blaze.

  • COMMENTARY: Eddie Toulon and the Frontline Cooperative Bookstore – The architecture of Dominican nation building via education, cooperative economics and cultural rendition

    COMMENTARY: Eddie Toulon and the Frontline Cooperative Bookstore – The architecture of Dominican nation building via education, cooperative economics and cultural rendition

    In the decades following Dominica’s independence, few institutions have shaped the country’s national identity and collective consciousness as profoundly as the Frontline Cooperative Bookstore. More than just a retail space for books, it emerged as a movement for mental liberation, cultural pride, cooperative development, and Pan-African solidarity—led by a visionary Dominican activist named Edmund A. “Eddie” “Izzar” Toulon, whose legacy continues to resonate across the island long after his passing and the bookstore’s closure.

    Born in Roseau in 1960 to a family rooted in public service and discipline, Toulon cut his teeth politically during his years studying and working in London from the 1970s to early 1980s. Immersed in West London’s vibrant world of Black British activism, Caribbean migrant organizing, Pan-Africanist thought, and working-class resistance, he developed a core belief: education and cultural identity are the most powerful tools for marginalized communities to claim empowerment. Working as a social worker in North Paddington connected him directly to the struggles of working-class Caribbean and African families, while his time as lead vocalist for the band Samaritans reinforced his understanding that music and liberation are inseparable.

    When Toulon returned to his native Dominica in 1981, he gathered with fellow activists Sonny Felix, Alvin Bertnard, and Gabriel Christian to turn his vision into action. The group drew inspiration from Cadre Number One (also known as the Sisserou Youth Movement), the Roseau branch of the Popular Independence Committee led by Rosie Douglas, which was rooted in the broad currents of Dominican nationalism, anti-colonial thought, Black consciousness, and socialist development that swept the Caribbean in the decades before and after independence. For the founding generation, political independence alone was not enough: without mental liberation, Dominica would remain trapped in neocolonial dependency, racial insecurity, and foreign economic control. A people disconnected from their own history, they argued, could never shape their own future. So they built Frontline as a people’s university, a school without walls, and a hub for national awakening, opening its doors in Roseau in 1982 with the motto “Knowledge Conquers All.”

    From its humble beginnings—starting with just two tea chests of donated books in a small rented basement space—Frontline grew into one of Dominica’s most influential cultural institutions. Located on Queen Mary Street in Roseau, it intentionally stocked Afro-Caribbean, African, Indigenous, Third World, and local Dominican literature that was largely unavailable from mainstream booksellers. It centered stories of African and Kalinago heritage, maroon resistance to enslavement, and anti-colonial struggle, rejecting the colonial narratives that had long taught Dominicans to devalue their own culture and prioritize foreign approval. Operating on cooperative principles rather than pure profit motive, it expanded far beyond a bookstore, evolving into a cultural center, music outlet, photographic studio, printing shop, and publishing house that created local jobs, trained young workers, and promoted local Dominican writers.

    One of Frontline’s most enduring contributions was *Rampart* magazine, a radical cultural platform named for its mission to defend resistance and break colonial barriers. Through three editions, *Rampart* gave a voice to Dominican poets, essayists, artists, and thinkers, publishing work that challenged colonial myths (including critical essays debunking the celebration of Christopher Columbus), centering women’s roles in national development, and affirming solidarity with anti-apartheid movements in southern Africa. Every poem and essay was a deliberate act of consciousness-raising, designed to free Dominicans from the inferiority complexes imposed by colonial rule and prove that the island had its own unique history, heroes, and creative genius worth celebrating.

    Under Toulon’s leadership, Frontline also embraced popular culture as a core part of its nation-building project. It promoted major concerts featuring top regional and international Caribbean artists, from Gregory Isaacs and Burning Spear to Chalkdust, turning the events into cultural gatherings that connected Dominica to the wider African diaspora. It launched the “Caribbean Heroes” silk-screen project to celebrate regional icons, documented national history and community life through its photography service, and organized the 1988 “Vwa Dominik” tour to London, bringing Dominican performers to West Indian migrant communities for a powerful act of diaspora connection to mark the country’s tenth independence anniversary. Frontline also proved the power of cooperative economics: it grew from its small rented space to own its own facility, housing a bookstore, darkroom, printshop, and research library, contributed to national scholarship funds and school charities, and showed that collective, community-led effort could build lasting institutions that served the public good.

    After decades leading Frontline, Toulon carried his commitment to community and culture into wider public service. In 1992, he was elected the first Mayor of the Canefield Urban Council, serving two consecutive terms and also leading the national local government authority, all while chairing the National Education Trust Fund. In 1997, he became the first Executive Director of the newly created Dominica Festivals Commission, where he realized his long-held vision of culture as national infrastructure: he organized and built the World Creole Music Festival, which grew into Dominica’s flagship cultural event and major tourist attraction, putting the island’s Creole identity, music, and heritage on the global map.

    Tragically, Toulon died suddenly from a fatal asthma attack in 2001 at just 41 years old, shocking the entire nation. Thousands of Dominicans lined the streets of Roseau to pay their respects, and his friend Gabriel J. Christian famously eulogized him as a fallen giant Gommier tree: a large, shade-giving native tree that had sheltered generations of young writers, artists, activists, and citizens, nourishing a movement of cultural pride and national service.

    After Toulon’s death, Frontline struggled on for another nine years, held together by the valiant efforts of supporters including Harold Sealey and Zenith Jean-Jacques, before closing its doors in 2010 after 29 years of operation. But its legacy, and Toulon’s, did not die with the bookstore. Toulon left behind enduring institutions: Rampart magazine, the World Creole Music Festival, the model of cooperative community development, and a blueprint for cultural leadership that proves small nations can stand tall through embracing their own identity.

    Decades later, the core lesson of Frontline and Eddie Toulon remains clear: a nation is not built only by roads, buildings, budgets, and elections. It is built first in the minds of its people, in their imagination, their shared history, their books, their songs, their cooperative efforts, and their pride in the heritage of their ancestors. It is a lesson summed up in the bookstore’s enduring motto, which still resonates with undiminished power across Dominica today: Knowledge Conquers All.

  • OPINION: The rights of a displaced worker

    OPINION: The rights of a displaced worker

    Across the globe, a sweeping pattern of workforce reduction has emerged in recent years, as both public sector agencies and private companies restructure their operations under the banner of boosting operational efficiency, cutting overhead costs, and preserving long-term business viability and productivity. For countless workers, this trend has meant sudden unemployment through layoffs, retrenchment, or redundancy — leaving them out of work and struggling to make ends meet, even as companies frame these cuts as legitimate business decisions.

    While mass layoffs have become commonplace, terminated workers hold clear legal protections when employers fail to follow established fair procedures before cutting staff. Industry best practices and legal frameworks universally require that employees facing job loss are entitled to a transparent, fair review process, adequate advance notification of termination, and eligible severance compensation where the terms of employment or local regulation mandate it.

    If an employer skips required procedural steps or fails to provide the mandated notice period, workers retain the right to file a wrongful dismissal claim in civil court for breach of employment contract. Under labor and contract law, any termination without required advance notice is formally classified as a breach of contract, and the standard legal remedy for this violation is pay in lieu of notice — compensation equal to the wages an employee would have earned during the required notice period.

    There are, however, limited exceptions to this rule. Employees terminated for gross misconduct, such as theft, workplace violence, or other serious violations of company policy, are not eligible for pay in lieu of notice, and immediate termination is legally justified in these cases. Similarly, workers who resign without providing the required notice, or employees still in a probationary period, forfeit their right to this compensation. Eligibility for all forms of termination pay is also bound by the specific terms outlined in an individual’s employment contract, so workers are advised to review their agreements closely after receiving termination notice.

    For workers facing layoff or redundancy, additional benefits may be available depending on local labor regulations. Many jurisdictions require employers to provide severance pay for large-scale redundancies, and displaced workers are typically eligible for state unemployment benefits to bridge the gap between jobs. In cases of planned workforce reductions, some regional rules also mandate that employers offer retraining programs to help displaced workers build new skills for future roles. A small number of employers also extend existing health insurance coverage for a limited period after termination, a significant benefit for laid-off workers navigating the job market.

    Above all, displaced workers are reminded to verify that all outstanding financial obligations are settled before their employment ends. This includes any unpaid accrued wages, compensation for earned but unused vacation time, and all other contractual monetary benefits tied to the role. This guidance comes from Dennis DePeiza, a Labour Relations & Employment Relations Consultant with Regional Management Services Inc.

  • Leon Hess Comprehensive wins inaugural schools panorama competition

    Leon Hess Comprehensive wins inaugural schools panorama competition

    On June 6, 2026, Saint Lucia wrote a new chapter in its cultural music history, as Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School claimed the title of the first-ever National Schools Panorama Competition. Held at Castries’ iconic Mindoo Phillip Park, the competition was a centerpiece event of the island’s annual Junior Lucian Carnival, bringing together the most promising young steel pan players from across the nation for a celebration of local cultural heritage.

    Seven competing bands, drawn from a collective of 10 different schools across Saint Lucia, gathered to compete for the historic inaugural title. Conceived as a long-term investment in the island’s beloved steel pan tradition, the competition was created to nurture new generational interest in the art form, ensuring this core pillar of Saint Lucian culture continues to thrive for decades to come.

    For the winning team from Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary, the path to victory was not without its hurdles. Jonathan Howell, a key core member of the school’s competing band, opened up about the group’s months-long journey to the top spot.

    “It felt absolutely amazing; I had utmost faith in my teammates from the very start,” Howell shared in remarks after the win. “I always knew we had what it took to pull this off.”
    Howell explained that the group faced unique challenges throughout their preparation process, most notably the fact that a number of band members were participating in a large-scale steel pan competition for the first time. “It was difficult, because some players were new; it was their first time actually preparing for something like this,” he said.

    Rather than letting these setbacks slow them down, the team leaned on collective commitment and mutual support to work through every obstacle. “Although it was difficult, we pulled through, and we got the win,” Howell stated. Already looking ahead to future competitions, the young musician made clear the team’s ambition has not waned: “For the road ahead, [the aim] is to get first place again.”

    Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School claimed second place, delivering a standout performance that earned widespread acclaim from judges and audience members alike. Corinth Secondary School took home third place, while the fourth spot went to a collaborative combined band representing Canaries Primary School and Soufrière Secondary School.

    Rounding out the field of competitors were bands from Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School, Laborie Boys and Girls Primary School, and a combined group from Dennery Primary and Secondary Schools. Every participating band brought energy, creativity, and disciplined musicianship to the stage, turning the event into a vibrant showcase of the incredible depth of young musical talent spread across Saint Lucia. The inaugural competition’s success has laid a strong foundation for what organizers hope will become a beloved annual tradition, cementing the role of youth in carrying forward the island’s iconic steel pan culture.

  • Kinderen leren over de gevolgen van illegale visserij

    Kinderen leren over de gevolgen van illegale visserij

    On the occasion of the International Day Against Illegal Fishing, Suriname’s fisheries authorities have launched a unique outreach initiative that targets young learners, aiming to build early awareness of the threats of unregulated fishing and the critical need for sustainable practices to protect local marine resources. The core message of the activity is that introducing children to the harms of illegal fishing from an early age creates a foundation for long-term stewardship of Suriname’s aquatic ecosystems and the future of the national fishing sector.

    Illegal fishing, which includes fishing without valid permits, operating in restricted protected waters, and using banned gear that damages marine habitats, is a leading driver of overfishing and severe declines in wild fish populations. To keep fish stocks viable for decades to come, sustainable, rule-compliant fishing is non-negotiable. When fishermen adhere to established regulations and permit requirements, fish populations have adequate time and space to reproduce and replenish, ensuring that future generations can continue to benefit from the rich marine resources found in Suriname’s waters.

    This public education message was delivered to students from Sharroyschool by Ranjit Soekhradj, a representative from the Fisheries Directorate of Suriname’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV). On Friday, the group of schoolchildren visited the Central Fishermen’s Harbors of Suriname (Cevihas) as part of the International Day commemoration. Staff from both LVV and Cevihas collaborated closely to host the students, leading guided tours of the facility and walking young attendees through the far-reaching consequences of unregulated fishing.

    During the educational excursion, students gained hands-on insight into multiple facets of Suriname’s fishing industry. They received detailed explanations of daily operations at the fishing harbor, vessel maintenance protocols, post-catch fish processing procedures, and the significant role the sector plays in driving Suriname’s national economy. Beyond classroom-style explanations, the students got an up-close look at large commercial fishing vessels, learned how fresh catches are unloaded and stored, had the opportunity to ask industry experts pressing questions about fisheries management, and toured the local Small Scale Fisheries Center to learn about small-scale artisanal fishing operations.

    For Larissa Kodjama, a teacher at Sharroyschool, the off-site excursion was an invaluable complement to standard geography lessons taught in the classroom. After the tour, students were assigned to compile their observations and takeaways into formal written reports and class presentations. Kodjama emphasized that hands-on, practical learning helps students absorb and retain information far more effectively than learning exclusively from textbooks.

    Through this youth-focused activity, LVV and Cevihas have marked the International Day Against Illegal Fishing in a meaningful, long-term oriented way. By investing in youth awareness and education, the organizations have drawn national attention to the urgency of sustainable fishing practices and the ongoing work needed to protect and preserve Suriname’s valuable wild fish stocks for current and future communities.