A mere 14 per cent of fishing vessels damaged during Hurricane Beryl will be seaworthy for the start of the 2024/2025 fishing season in November, as Barbados’ fishing industry continues to grapple with the storm’s devastating impact, Barbados TODAY has discovered.
Of the 312 active boats at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex, the island’s largest landing site, 220 sustained extensive damage when the Category 4 hurricane’s passage on July 1, crippling the fishing fleet.
Despite boat owners working intensively to repair their vessels ahead of the November to-August season, reports indicate only about 30 boats will be ready to set sail next month.
The majority of vessels are expected to resume operations in January due to the severity of the damage.
The return of the long-line and ice boats represents the first significant deployment of large fishing vessels in months, following a period where the island has relied heavily on cold storage supplies and catches from small day boats.
When a Barbados TODAY team visited the temporary boatyard on Harbour Road on Friday, veteran fisherman and boat owner Steven Bourne said that most boats should be ready by January due to the extent of the damage.
Asked to weigh in on prices when the boats return from their voyages, Bourne said: “We still have to feel for the consumer so I can’t say the prices will be hot. Right now, fish are still selling at a reasonable price; I don’t think anything will change. But remember, fishermen don’t change the price. Hawkers change the price . . . and we the fishermen get blamed for price hikes. If I sell hawkers at $10 per pound, they may sell at $15. They will be getting a whole $5 while the crew and captain will only get three cents.”
Bourne added that fishers were currently selling jacks at $4 per pound and kingfish at $11 per pound from the boat.
Vanroy Jordan said that despite fishermen’s intentions, the price of fish next month would depend on the quantity available. He explained that if 15 or more of the 30 boats returned around the same time and there was a bounty, the price of fish would drop. However, if the boats returned far apart with low quantities, the markups on those catches would be higher.
“When there is a glut, the price falls, but when fish is scarce, the price goes up; that’s how the market goes . . . . I don’t feel the prices should escalate. I feel this will be a good season and fishermen wouldn’t take advantage of Barbadians. We can’t take advantage of our own.”
The fishermen said they sold fish factoring in the voyage expenses, which include ice, fuel, and groceries costing between $5 000 and $15 000, depending on the boat’s size.
However, they noted that not all trips were successful, as they do not always recoup overhead costs and often have to dig into their pockets for subsequent trips.
Another fisherman, who gave his name as Anthony, said he would be ready for the start of the season and hoped for a bountiful catch.
Regarding prices, he said: “We have to bear in mind that there are a lot fewer boats, and consumers would have to prepare themselves for how the boats return, and that would determine if the prices decrease or fluctuate. If you have less than half of the fleet going out, consumer demand is high, and fish stock is low, you will pay a little more for fresh fish. But we have to wait and see what the season presents and go from there.”
Another fisherman, who requested anonymity, said several boat owners were sceptical about getting repairs done to their boats, which is a major reason why so few boats will be ready in November.
“The Bridgetown Fisheries Complex is not in a state to facilitate boats; going back there is a big risk. Some people are hesitant and don’t want to experience that catastrophe again,” he said.
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
