Barbados fishing industry has gained a lot last year as the catch was more than expected and nearly $51.2 million accrued to the benefit of the region as profit. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Haynesley Benn in a meeting at the Fisheries Division highlighted the socio-economic importance of the fishing industry to the island. He told that Barbados has produced several vibrant small businesses in areas such as fish process, fish retailing and wholesaling, boat building, fish exporting and fish distribution.
Benn cautioned that despite these encouraging trends, there are worldwide concerns about the collapsing fish stocks, the overcapacity in fishing fleets, unsustainable fishing practices and environmental degradation and the ways in which climate change is affecting fish stocks and fish habitats. He opined that preventing or mitigating the negative effects of climate change will require serious commitment on the part of all stakeholders.
According to him the Fisheries Division and the Ministry must play a vital role in sensitising, training and educating fisherfolk, the business community, consumers and the general public about the negative consequences of pollution of the marine environment, overfishing and other undesirable fishing practices. He also informed that different initiatives are being undertaken at the legislative level with a focus on fish quality and safety of vessels.
