Fishing for Life-Saving Hurricane Data

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Across the country, more than a dozen fishermen are taking on the task of becoming ocean observers by collecting vital data about the sea.

It’s all a part of the fishing vessel ocean observing network program.

In this week’s Sustainability First, our Jasmin Brown told us how their work is helping refine how scientists link water temperatures to hurricane development.

Helping gather vital ocean data across the archipelago has become a focus for some local fishermen, as part of the fishing vessel ocean observing network, led by the global nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund, and in partnership with the Bahamas Department of Meteorology.

Since its launch in 2024, the project has fed real-time data into forecasting models, giving scientists an up-to-date understanding of the warm, energy-rich waters that fuel hurricanes.

At the helm of the project is assistant professor of Marine Science at the University of The Bahamas, Dr. Brandon J. Bethel.

He’s also The Bahamas’ lead for the Fishing Vessel Ocean Observing NetworkPprogramme, which is now in its third year.

Dr. Bethel said the fishermen’s observations aren’t just helpful, they’re essential.

With their daily work taking them through the very waters where hurricanes often intensify, offering critical insights that can improve forecasts and help communities prepare.