The Caribbean Fisheries Training and Development Institute (CFTDI) says the success of its 2026 Blue Sea Festival goes beyond sport and entertainment, highlighting the event as a platform for youth development, community engagement and greater awareness of opportunities within the blue economy.
Held under the theme ‘One Ocean, One Nation, One Future’, the festival brought communities, fisherfolk, youth, businesses, government agencies and sporting organisations together to promote free training opportunities and community involvement.
Principal of the Caribbean Fisheries Training and Development Institute, Wesley Pancham, said the 2026 Blue Sea Festival serves as a platform to highlight its Youth Empowerment Project, which assists young people in gaining skills and certifications for careers in the marine and fisheries sectors.
“Rather than the youth being a bystander or spectator at the very industry that exists in front of them, we wanted to create opportunities, and that opportunities could only be created through training and development.”
The project was developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries as part of the development of the Blue Economy.
“They also learn outboard engine repairs because there’s a lack of that skillset in Trinidad and Tobago’s fishing industry. So here it is, we are increasing the skilled people in that industry.”
Highlighting the project’s growing impact, Mr. Pancham said 208 students have already received certification, with another 497 waiting to join the programme.
“So you are seeing here the evidence that once a community is given opportunity, they gravitate towards and these are the vulnerable at-risk communities, and they have they have raised their hand and said, ‘Yes, we are willing to accept and facilitate the new change and be part to become ideal citizens that contribute to productivity in Trinidad and Tobago’.”
He said the initiative is helping to empower youth across several communities while strengthening both local livelihoods and the wider national economy.
“So we assisted wherever necessary to ensure that the youth in the Sea Lots, Carenage, Maracas, Las Cuevas, and Blanchisseuse communities were able to benefit. So all this is part of our national development.”