As Dominica prepares to mark World Food Day 2026, a young local fisherman from Scotts Head is stepping into the spotlight to deliver a clear, impassioned call to action: back domestic fishing workers and build a stronger, more food-secure nation by choosing homegrown products.
Shaheim Ceasar, who represents the National Association of Youth in Agriculture (NAYA), used this year’s global observance — themed “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow.” — to shine a light on the underrecognized central role the fisheries sector plays in Dominica’s national stability. Beyond providing nutritious food for local communities, Ceasar explained, the industry sustains thousands of livelihoods, drives inclusive employment, and underpins long-term economic resilience across the island.
For Ceasar personally, fishing is far more than a pastime: it is both his primary livelihood and a small business that generates his daily income. Every week, he makes regular trips out into local waters to haul in fresh catches ranging from popular yellowfin tuna to other native species, which he then distributes to markets and neighborhood suppliers across Dominica. He argues that cutting out middlemen to buy seafood directly from local fishermen does more than just support working people who depend on the ocean for their income — it also strengthens the country’s entire domestic food supply chain, reducing reliance on imported goods and insulating local communities from global market volatility.
A sense of pride permeates Ceasar’s work as a young person working in the fisheries sector, and he is eager to change outdated narratives that push young Dominicans toward non-agricultural careers. Against the backdrop of World Food Day’s focus on innovative, forward-thinking solutions to feed growing populations and secure future food access, Ceasar is actively encouraging young people across the country to view fishing as a legitimate, viable long-term career and entrepreneurial opportunity. For those who bring commitment and discipline to the work, he says, the industry can deliver a stable, rewarding income that benefits both workers and their local communities.
Beyond inspiring the next generation of fishermen, Ceasar is also appealing directly to consumers. He urges every Dominican to make a conscious choice to prioritize locally sourced food over imported alternatives, and to throw their support behind domestic producers. Small, individual choices add up, he emphasizes: every purchase of local seafood or homegrown food makes a tangible contribution to strengthening the country’s national food security. His core message remains simple and actionable: eat local, and support local producers.
Dominica’s Ministry of Agriculture has aligned its 2026 World Food Day activities with this same mission, using the global observance to build public awareness and drive collective action toward building a more sustainable, food-secure future for all Dominicans.