From Customer to Master Fisher: Adopting a New Home, Building a New Life

In the coastal community of Old Harbour Bay, nestled along Jamaica's southern coast, Paulette Coley stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the local fishing community. What began as a leap of faith when she met her husband has blossomed into a thriving career as a respected fisherwoman and community leader.

Approximately 40 kilometres west of Kingston - Jamaica’s capital - lies Old Harbour Bay, a coastal community renowned for its picturesque scenery, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant fishing industry. Paulette, despite now being a vital part of her community, was  born in Waterford, Portmore. “I did not know anything about [the fishing] industry. I only used to see persons driving around and riding around and selling fish.”  

Paulette recalls a friend of hers asking her to go to Old Harbour Bay to purchase fish for a “Fish Fry”. On that same day, just about when they had finished buying their supplies, she met the man who would become her husband. This was the start of a new direction in her life.  He introduced her to the fishing industry, and 22 years later they still navigate together and make their living from the sea. 

In Old Harbour Bay, the community's economy revolves largely around fishing. The industry is diverse, encompassing traditional methods such as net fishing and spearfishing, as well as more modern techniques such as deep-sea trawling and lobster trapping. The waters surrounding Old Harbour Bay are teeming with a wide variety of marine life, including snapper, grouper, lobster, and conch, making it a prime location for fishing. 

Despite the focus on fishing as a way of life, Paulette is remarkable within her community. “There are a lot of fisherfolks, but they primarily do the selling of the fish. You know, you don't have a lot of women that go out to sea. Very few. I am one of them,” she says proudly. “When they see me coming, they say, ‘Oh my God, there's a woman that driving the boat,’ and you know persons are excited because they have never seen a woman really actually go.” 

When asked about the role that gender plays in the industry, she admits that it is challenging. “But I like challenging things. I like to take risk and in life, it’s logical [...] You have to take risk.” Paulette has taken this same, unflinching approach towards tackling climate change in her community. 

As one of the largest fishing villages in the country, Old Harbour Bay is reliant on the ecosystems present to sustain its socio-economic livelihood. And like many coastal communities around the world, it is facing the devastating impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels, warming waters, and unpredictable weather patterns threatened the delicate balance of life in the ocean, putting the livelihoods of the local fishermen at risk. 

“There were times when you could literally look at the weather around you and you could determine if it's a good day for fishing or if it's a bad day. But climate change has changed all of that. You cannot predict what a day will bring forth nowadays,” Paulette explains. 

Determined to confront these challenges head-on, Paulette became a vocal advocate for environmental conservation and more sustainable fishing practices. She is currently the chairman for the Supervisory Committee at Jamaica Fishermen's Cooperative Union and the secretary for the Climate Change Committee. Paulette has emerged as a champion for the preservation of Old Harbour Bay's coastal environment and the welfare of her fellow fisherfolk. 

“We try to identify the risk factors around the different fishing zones. And then [...] we try to see if we can get some projects going like some proposals to get some funding to do education and awareness.” 

Paulette mentions that adapting is necessary, which is why she has also worked to educate local communities on waste management and the conservation of trees around the coastline. This includes a reforestation project aimed at planting trees on all the beaches across the country.

Aside from her job as a fisherwoman and a climate change advocate, Paulette is also involved in community work and church work, while also having her own family. It’s not an easy balance. “I have to be here, there, and everywhere,” she says. 

But her inspiration comes from the extraordinary potential she sees in her community and her role in assisting others. “Ironically, I am not originally from this community, but I, I know the value of volunteerism. And so, it's something that I love. Every opportunity I get to volunteer my time [...] I take great pleasure in doing such for the benefit of the community.” 

She says that her greatest hope is that people will see the potential for greatness in Old Harbour Bay, its natural resources and the importance of the area’s ecosystem. The preservation of nature is not just for one generation’s benefit, but for the many generations ahead. “We're going to come together and join forces with the persons who see the good, who have the vision, run with the vision and see that we can make a change.” 

For Paulette Coley, being a fisherwoman isn't just a job—it's a way of life, one she embraces wholeheartedly, knowing that her efforts are making a real difference in the lives of those around her. She sees the strength in community and its transformative power with absolute clarity. 

“If I have five persons with the passion that I have for this community, we are well on our way.” Seeing Paulette’s confidence, hope and warmth, it’s impossible to think that her legacy won’t leave a footprint for many years to come.