Diving into Change: Asia’s Mission to Restore Caribbean Seas

Asia’s Story Began Beneath the Waves

All images kindly provided by Asia La Chapelle Williams

Asia La Chapelle Williams MSc, PMP, born in Trinidad and Tobago, loves to explore the ocean. After migrating to London and returning home during the summer, her father would take her snorkeling on Buccoo Reef in Tobago, into coral-rich waters teeming with life. She recalls,

“I remember the diversity of fish; parrotfish, corals, the sea fans swaying with the current. It felt like entering another world. Even at Mount Irvine, you could swim from the shore and see so much.”

Years later, she got certified as a diver in Grenada, which further fueled her underwater passion after swimming on a reef called Purple Rain. However, when she returned home, she noticed,

“The reefs were quieter. The colours were duller. There were fewer fish. It became impossible not to notice, and not to care.”

That personal experience sparked a passion that eventually led Asia to study economic geography, sustainability, and climate resilience. Her recent research focuses on Jamaica’s fragile marine ecosystem.

What the Data Shows Under the Sea

Decades of change: a veteran fisher recalls losses in Jamaica’s reefs and catch.

Asia’s recent research, “Climate Change, Conservation & Fisheries Productivity: A Case Study of Jamaica”, funded by Inter-American Development Bank, paints a picture of a marine ecosystem in crisis, but also one with a chance at revival. Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Caribbean have risen by up to 0.04°C annually (1982–2016), triggering coral bleaching and shifts in fish distribution. In Discovery Bay, on the North coast of the island, coral cover was as low as 2% in places, with most reef sites ranked as “critical” or “poor” in health. Fish stocks have been hit hard; most fish caught under 10cm, a clear sign that populations aren’t being allowed to mature. One of Jamaica’s elder “fisher folk” summed up his experience with the fishing industry simply:

“Harder. Would not recommend it as an industry […] fishing cannot be our only source of income. Over 70 years involved in fishing, I have seen the loss of june fish, rainbow and blue parrotfish, now some fish extinct, I used to see manatee as a boy.”

Multiple impacts, including rising sea temperatures, acidification, and overfishing, are combining with coastal pollution to create a perfect storm. One fisher highlighted,

“Reefs can’t sustain hotel wastewater and agricultural fertilisers; coastal development needs to be limited, more sustainable and the impacts offset. Fish are migrating because of pollution and warming temperatures to deeper waters.”

The Success of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Protected waters: Oracabessa Bay’s sanctuary helps fish and coral rebound.

Yet amid the devastation, Asia found stories of resilience—especially in Jamaica’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). A marine protected area is a specific area of the ocean that is set aside, conserved, and managed to protect sea life. These are usually 'no-take zones' to protect important nursery habitats and biodiversity. In Oracabessa Bay and White River Jamaica, years of community-based protection have led to striking results: fish biomass has exploded—now around 50 times greater than before the MPAs started, coral cover has nearly doubled, and algal cover, a sign of reef stress, has fallen by 40%.

Evidence of recovery—data from Oracabessa Bay shows marine sanctuaries boosting coral cover and fish stocks.

Fisher folk back-up the data, describing the MPAs as:

“Really beneficial, would recommend extending it, have seen the results and bigger, more fish. We have also gained employment as wardens, fish inspectors. It has created trainings and job opportunities. The sanctuary is working.”

“Fish are less afraid now. More awareness, coral gardening. Irish moss farming — [we are] keen to explore this.”

Local voices shaping solutions—community members discuss sanctuary benefits.

But challenges remain, as explained by some of the fishers:

“Not everyone wants to fish in the pelagic zone. If you don’t have a boat, you’re not paid well. Deep sea is for when you are young.”

“Being knowledgeable about spawning and mating seasons [helps]… notice the fish sanctuary has been beneficial but there is still a lack of awareness.”

The sector needs stronger government support, expanded licensing, and better enforcement. In addition, the data gaps, especially in places like Negril and Portland Bight, must be addressed if future policies are to succeed.

Asia’s Vision for the Future

For Asia, this isn’t just research, it’s legacy work. She said,

“I’ve seen what’s possible when communities and ecosystems are supported together. Jamaica’s marine protected areas are working, and I want to help replicate that success across the islands. This is personal to me. I want to return to the reefs I grew up loving, I want others to experience that beauty too, and understand how fortunate we are to have nature.”

Looking to the future with optimism, she said,

“We can still turn the tide. When my work is done, I want to know we’ve tried our best, so the next generation has the opportunity to benefit from these natural assets.”

Shifting stocks—fish move closer to shore, but fewer reach maturity.

About CaribData

CaribData is dedicated to transforming data sharing and storytelling across the Caribbean. The project aims to build a regional infrastructure for data exchange, provide training and mentorship to strengthen data handling capacity, and promote open data through visualization and storytelling. By collaborating with researchers, statisticians, and organizations, we make data more accessible and impactful. CaribData is currently funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

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