From Wreckage to Resilience: Bolstering Barbados’ Fishing Industry Against Hurricane Impacts

• Hurricane Beryl (July 2024) caused widespread destruction to the Barbados fishing industry, destroying boats, essential infrastructure, and Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs).
• A survey of 54 fishery workers highlighted the urgent need for a combination of reinforced infrastructure and nature-based solutions like coral reef restoration.
• Ongoing recovery efforts, including the Beryl Emergency Response and Recovery Project, are focusing on vessel repair, marina rehabilitation, and improved disaster preparedness.

Impact on the Fishing Sector

• The industry is vital for Barbados’ food security, economic development, and cultural identity, with hubs like Oistins and Bridgetown serving as essential landmarks.
• Destruction of the Bridgetown breakwater and its protective dolos left boats exposed, while the loss of FADs significantly reduced catch rates.
• Many workers lost their primary source of income, facing severe personal and financial hardship while struggling to return to work.

Resilience and Recovery Strategies

• Infrastructure Improvements: Fisherfolk proposed taller and longer breakwaters, alongside specialized dry storage facilities and larger marinas with improved anchoring to prevent boat collisions.
• Material Upgrades: There is a demand for more robust vessels built from reinforced fiberglass, Kevlar, or marine-grade aluminum.
• Nature-Based Solutions: Integration of ecological approaches, such as coral restoration, is recommended to dampen wave energy and support marine biodiversity.

Ongoing Government and Institutional Responses

• The Barbados Fisheries Division (BFD) is working with the World Bank, UNDP, and the Japanese government to fund recovery initiatives.
• Current projects include assistance for vessel repair, a new marine travel lift and haul-up facility, and upgrades to the National Emergency Management System (NEMS).
• UWI Cave Hill students and researchers utilized the survey findings to advocate for a holistic policy approach that merges disaster preparedness with fisheries biology.