FAO official lauds state of Barbados’ fishing industry

Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rene Orellana Halkyer, has praised  the level of organisation within Barbados’ fishing industry.

During a tour of the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex on Tuesday, Halkyer said he was especially impressed with the cooperative structure linking fisherfolk, vendors and families throughout the value chain

“We were very surprised because of the way the fishermen, as well as the families of the fisheries, are very well organized,” he said, adding that the cooperative model demonstrated how stronger economic organisation could create “important economic opportunities” for fishing communities.

He noted that the FAO remained committed to supporting collaboration between the public and private sectors to further strengthen the industry.

During the tour, Halkyer said there needed to be further investment in fertiliser production from fish waste as global costs continue to rise amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Barbados has in recent years invested heavily in fish silage projects, which convert fish waste into animal feed and fertiliser products. 

Halkyer described the initiative as a model that could benefit the wider Caribbean region.

“We have also visited and been informed about the projects regarding processing and production of fertilizers using fish silage, which is a good example for the rest of the region,” he said.

According to Halkyer, transforming waste into fertiliser was becoming increasingly important as international fertiliser prices continue to climb.

“It is very much important to process the waste and to transform it into fertilizers, which is also needed by agriculture and could even be an opportunity for export,” he said, noting that costs were increasing because of instability in the Middle East.

He added that supporting these types of value-added business models would help strengthen the livelihoods of fisherfolk and their families.

Meanwhile, Chief Fisheries Officer, Shelly-Ann Cox stressed the importance of collaboration and co-management in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector.

“Co-management of a fishery is very important. Sometimes we see it as a concept, we see academics writing about it, but what we want to do is operationalize this concept,” Cox said.

She explained that the Fisheries Division was maintaining ongoing engagement with cooperatives and stakeholders across the industry, including sports fishing operators and large fish processors.

Cox said the ultimate goal was to ensure “the sustainable development of the fishery sector in Barbados” through continued collaboration among all sub-sectors.

 

(SB)