GCRL Science Cafe

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1NH5tefGqR/ We lost one of our own--Dr. Cox presented a Science Cafe in March 2022.

The Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox, Chief Fisheries Officer of Barbados, an esteemed fisheries scientist, and long-standing member of the GCFI family.

For more than a decade, Dr. Cox was an active and valued contributor to GCFI’s work and mission. Her engagement with the Institute began during her time as a student at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

Throughout her career, Dr. Cox brought knowledge, integrity, and unwavering dedication to every role she undertook. As Chief Fisheries Officer of Barbados, she became a respected regional leader and advocate for evidence-based fisheries management, collaborative governance, and the empowerment of Caribbean fishing communities. Her thoughtful contributions and willingness to share her expertise greatly enriched the work of GCFI and strengthened partnerships throughout the region.

Dr. Cox was also a champion for women in marine and fisheries science. In 2016, she was instrumental in organizing the first Gender in Fisheries Session with other colleagues. She was also part of the team that launched GCFI’s Leading Ladies Calendar, an initiative that celebrated and highlighted the remarkable contributions of women across the Caribbean’s marine and fisheries sectors. Her contributions at GCFI included presentations on managing the sargassum influx, innovative approaches to fishery monitoring and traceability (DigiFish) and more recently on transforming fisheries through data innovation Her involvement with GCFI also reflected her commitment to mentorship, inclusion, and inspiring future generations of ocean professionals.

“Shelly-Ann embodied the spirit of service, collaboration, and excellence that defines our regional community,” said Fadilah Ali, Executive Director of GCFI. “She was a generous colleague, a thoughtful leader, and a passionate advocate for sustainable fisheries. She was always willing to support and her contributions to GCFI and to the wider Caribbean fisheries community leave a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire us.”

On behalf of its Board of Directors, members, and the broader GCFI Family, the Institute extends its deepest condolences to Dr. Cox’s family, friends, colleagues in Barbados, and all those across the region whose lives she touched through her leadership, mentorship, and friendship.

Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox’s passing is a profound loss to the Caribbean fisheries community. She will be remembered not only for her professional accomplishments, but also for her kindness, generosity, and steadfast commitment to advancing sustainable fisheries and empowering people throughout the region.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1NH5tefGqR/
We lost one of our Science Cafe presenters. Dr. Cox spoke about sargassum in March 2022.

GCRL Virtual Pop-Up Science Cafe coming on Tuesday, March 15, 2022! Join us on Zoom (link below) or Facebook Live.

Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox is an experienced ocean professional and fisheries management specialist. Shelly-Ann has ten years’ experience in applied interdisciplinary climate related research and fisheries management research. Shelly-Ann is well known for building, supporting, and sustaining positive and productive relationships with stakeholders in the Caribbean fishing industry She received her PhD from the University of the West Indies in Natural Resources Management and is the founder and CEO of Blue Shell Productions

Massive influxes of floating sargassum seaweed have been impacting shorelines on both sides of the tropical Atlantic for the last decade. 2018 saw record breaking quantities of pelagic sargassum reaching the Caribbean, with 20 million metric tons reaching the region in June alone. The seaweed itself is not harmful; floating sargassum at sea is beneficial as a unique habitat. It is the large floating mats clogging fishing gear and impeding navigation at sea, and the mass stranding on coastlines and ensuing decomposition that is highly detrimental to people, ecosystems, and economies. Join us at the Science Café to hear more about what sargassum is, where it’s coming from, how we predict its arrival, and how it can be turned into an opportunity.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://usm-edu.zoom.us/j/83197837425?pwd=cXN6djBhVTA2RHZaZ1g1bjVpK2lOQT09

Webinar ID: 831 9783 7425
Passcode: 10547643
International numbers available: https://usm-edu.zoom.us/u/kdqkVoGs4U

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DvGUgwy7Z/

🌊🔬 Upcoming Science Café!

What happens when we reduce pollution in the Mississippi River—could it also impact the seafood we rely on?

Join us for a fascinating Science Café with Dr. Kim de Mutsert, who will explore the surprising balance between nutrients, marine life, and fisheries in the Gulf.

Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus—commonly found in fertilizers—flow down the Mississippi River and fuel plankton blooms in the Gulf. While this can boost the marine food web, it also contributes to the seasonal “dead zone” off Louisiana, where low oxygen levels threaten fish and shellfish.

So what happens if we reduce these nutrients?
Using food web models and insights from historic droughts, Dr. de Mutsert untangles what effect fish populations, seafood production, and the future of our coastal ecosystems.

📅 March 30, 2026
🕒 6:00–7:00 p.m.
📍 Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Caylor Building

Come discover how science is helping us navigate one of the Gulf Coast’s biggest environmental challenges! 🌟