Sustainable Fly Fishing: building expertise, conservation skills, and eco-entrepreneurship
Project Ref:
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DPLPS006
Start/end:
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01/10/2025 - 30/09/2027
Funders:
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Darwin Plus
Lead:
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Turks & Caicos Fly-Fishing Association (TCFFA)
Partners:
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Roots2Reef
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Bahamas Fly Fishing Association
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Government of the Bahamas - MoT
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Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Background
Tourism has transformed the Turks & Caicos Islands over the past two decades, but the economic benefits are not equally available across the islands' communities. In particular, small-scale fishing communities, which once played a central role in the islands’ economy, have found themselves increasingly disconnected from these new opportunities.
Recreational flats fishing has rapidly grown across the TCI, in line with tourism growth. Catch-and-release (C&R) fishing provides a unique opportunity for high-value, low-impact ecotourism. However, C&R fisheries also have the potential to damage environments and fish stocks if not managed correctly. Done right, it creates space for local knowledge, supports conservation, and opens new income streams beyond traditional consumptive fishing.
In order to promote the sustainability of sportfishing ecotourism, local capacity must be developed early to ensure local guides and operators are well-established. This project aims to develop and deliver a holistic certification programme, which is locally endorsed and supports local guides in accessing the neccessary resources to succeed.
Outcomes
A key part of the project is creating a practical training program for local guides and anglers in the form of a theoretical and practical based qualification. The course is to cover fly-fishing skills, understanding marine habitats, responsible catch-and-release, and how to tag and record fish data. It also includes training on how to share these experiences with visitors in a way that supports sustainable tourism.
The goal is to develop an accredited certification, in partnership with local education providers, giving participants recognized skills and a clear pathway into the flats fishing industry.
