GCFI Participates in Landmark Calypso Project Expedition Across the Caribbean

The Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) is pleased to highlight the participation of its Executive Director, Fadilah Ali, in the Calypso Project Expedition, hosted by the Caribbean Cetacean Society.

The Calypso project is a large-scale, 3-month expedition designed to protect marine megafauna across the entire Caribbean basin through research, education and community engagement. It is the largest integrated scientific expedition ever undertaken in the Caribbean for Marine megafauna. The expedition will cover Caribbean central basin territories including all the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad and Tobago, the ABC islands, Colombia, Puerto Rico, USVI, BVI, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Offshore Cuba, and Jamaica.

The expedition aims to strengthen understanding of cetaceans and other marine megafauna throughout the Wider Caribbean by documenting species occurrence, distribution, and behavior in areas where scientific data remain limited. Through coordinated at-sea surveys, scientific observation, outreach activities, and stakeholder engagement, the project contributes valuable information to support marine conservation, spatial planning, and biodiversity protection throughout the region.

A defining feature of the Calypso Project is its strong emphasis on regional collaboration and capacity building. The expedition actively involves local and regional early-career ocean professionals, providing hands-on scientific training, mentorship, and opportunities for participation in large-scale marine research initiatives. This approach helps strengthen regional scientific capacity while fostering a new generation of Caribbean ocean leaders.

“Initiatives like the Calypso Project demonstrate the power of regional collaboration in advancing ocean science and conservation across the Caribbean,” said Fadilah Ali, Executive Director of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute. “It is especially inspiring to see such a strong commitment to mentorship, education, and the inclusion of Caribbean early-career professionals in pioneering marine research efforts.”

GCFI commends the Caribbean Cetacean Society and its partners for their visionary leadership in implementing this groundbreaking expedition and for their continued commitment to marine conservation, scientific advancement, and community engagement across the Caribbean region. GCFI is also especially pleased to be co-hosting GCFI79 in Curaçao with the Caribbean Cetacean Society and other local partners