The community is invited to participate; Fisherman Forum admission is free for Curaçao fishermen.
WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao’s fishermen and anyone interested in securing healthy, reliable food supplies for our communities are invited to a special food security session and Fisherman Forum on Monday, November 2, 2026. Both events take place at the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort as part of the 79th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) Conference. Admission to the Fisherman Forum is free for all Curaçao fishermen.
The conference runs from November 2 to 6 and will bring together approximately 250 participants from the region and beyond. They will share research, practical experience, and ideas on protecting our seas, strengthening food supplies, and supporting local communities.
The Prime Minister of Curaçao. Mr. Gilmar Pisas, will deliver the opening address at the conference’s opening ceremony.
“This is a unique opportunity that our community needs to embrace,” says Lutson Lucas, Chairman of the local organizing committee. “Whether you work in public policy, business, fisheries, food security or economics, we encourage you and your colleagues to participate. We can learn from one another and build relationships that support action long after the conference ends.”
The special session on food security, fisheries and the social economy takes place from 2:00 to 4:00p.m. Speakers will explore how fisheries and food production can help countries build reliable food supplies and create opportunities for local people. The discussion will also look at how communities, businesses, and governments can work together to achieve these goals.
Leandro Pereira Morais
One of the session’s speakers is Leandro Pereira Morais, a Brazilian economist and professor at São Paulo State University. He holds a PhD in Economics and previously worked as a consultant to the International Labour Organization (ILO). His work focuses on how cooperatives, community projects and government policies can create economic opportunities that benefit local people.
Fellow speaker Wayne Ganpat is a former Dean of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture at the University of the West Indies. He holds a PhD in Agricultural Extension, a field focused on helping farmers apply knowledge and improve their practices. He has advised governments and international organizations across the Caribbean. His expertise includes farmer education, sustainable agriculture, and food security.
Wayne Ganpat
The Fisherman Forum is from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m., allowing Curaçao’s fishermen to share their knowledge, discuss challenges facing fisheries in their communities, and exchange ideas with others. Admission to the forum is free for all Curaçao fishermen.
Throughout the conference, policymakers, government officials, business leaders, fishermen, and researchers will explore a shared challenge: how to keep our seas healthy while providing reliable food supplies and supporting the livelihoods of the people who depend on them.
To register for either event, email federashonkup@gmail.com.