The Department of Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture has implemented several programs to aimed at improving the processes and products of the sector.

In 2015, a Fishers Development Program ensured that participants were trained and certified in several areas, including fish handling and processing; sustainable sea moss production; signal flare training; GPS receiver training; and first aid.

Twenty-one conch divers were also trained in safe diving practices.

"One of the issues facing [divers] was decompression sickness, so they were taught how to avoid it; and if and when it occurs, how to treat it by applying first aid and oxygen," Fisheries Officer Seon Ferrari said.

In addition to training, the department is working on national strategies to modernize the fisheries sector.

"There is a Caribbean Fisheries Co-Management Project (CARIFICO), which deals with fish aggregating devices. We employ a "boat to throat" concept where the quality of fish is ensured from the time it is caught to the time it is consumed.

"There is also an aquaponics model at the Department of Fisheries that is being developed, and will come to fruition in the near future."

Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish supplies the nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water.