The Barbados Fisheries Division Ministry of Agriculture MISSION STATEMENT To ensure the optimum utilisation of the fisheries resources in the waters of Barbados for the benefit of the people of Barbados through management and development.

The Fisheries Division was established within the Department of Agriculture and Science in The Fisheries Division was established within the Department of Agriculture and Science in The mandate of the FD was the development of local fisheries. The mandate of the FD was the development of local fisheries. To this end the first critical work was getting dormant fishing vessels back in the water through the establishment of a loan scheme to allow fishers to repair their boats and purchase gear. To this end the first critical work was getting dormant fishing vessels back in the water through the establishment of a loan scheme to allow fishers to repair their boats and purchase gear. Establishment of landing site infrastructure. Establishment of landing site infrastructure. Establishment of a data-collecting system for catch and effort statistics. Establishment of a data-collecting system for catch and effort statistics.

By law fishing vessels had to be registered with the FD and inspection for sea worthiness of the vessel was made a requirement for registration. By law fishing vessels had to be registered with the FD and inspection for sea worthiness of the vessel was made a requirement for registration. By the mid-1950’s mechanization of the fleet was driven by the FD and this including technical support through the establishment of a mechanical workshop. By the mid-1950’s mechanization of the fleet was driven by the FD and this including technical support through the establishment of a mechanical workshop.

This vessel became the working platform for an extensive scientific and technical programme geared at developing local fisheries. This vessel became the working platform for an extensive scientific and technical programme geared at developing local fisheries. One of the most important outcomes of this programme as introduction of the gillnet to capture flying fish. One of the most important outcomes of this programme as introduction of the gillnet to capture flying fish.

In July1949, a Fisheries Experimental Station was opened at the Reef, (later Reef Road), St. Michael. In July1949, a Fisheries Experimental Station was opened at the Reef, (later Reef Road), St. Michael. In December 1949, the first motor propelled fishing vessel in the form of the "Investigator", owned by the Fisheries Division, was introduced to the Barbadian fishing fleet. In December 1949, the first motor propelled fishing vessel in the form of the "Investigator", owned by the Fisheries Division, was introduced to the Barbadian fishing fleet.

Current work includes: Vessel inspection and registration of vessels. Vessel inspection and registration of vessels. Registration of fisherfolk. Registration of fisherfolk. Data collection and collation of all fisheries related statistics. Data collection and collation of all fisheries related statistics. Developing stakeholder participatory management. (BARNUFO, fisherfolk organisations) Developing stakeholder participatory management. (BARNUFO, fisherfolk organisations) Participation in local (e.g. sea eggs) and regional (e.g. flying fish, dolphin and wahoo) stock assessments and monitoring work. Participation in local (e.g. sea eggs) and regional (e.g. flying fish, dolphin and wahoo) stock assessments and monitoring work. Expanding involvement in food heath and safety regulation. Expanding involvement in food heath and safety regulation. Advising on fisheries-related projects including aquaculture initiatives Advising on fisheries-related projects including aquaculture initiatives

Developing management programmes for all fisheries ranging for regulating fishing to stock enhancement or rehabilitation. Developing management programmes for all fisheries ranging for regulating fishing to stock enhancement or rehabilitation. Main facilitating legislation is the Fisheries Act (1993) Main facilitating legislation is the Fisheries Act (1993) Limited financial and human resources result in limited independent involvement in other scientific fisheries-related studies. Limited financial and human resources result in limited independent involvement in other scientific fisheries-related studies. However, FD collaborates with academic institutions e.g. UWI in fisheries-related research. However, FD collaborates with academic institutions e.g. UWI in fisheries-related research. Most recent e.g. is an island-wide survey of the conch stock of Barbados. Most recent e.g. is an island-wide survey of the conch stock of Barbados.

Lobster project This project will assess recruitment patterns and examine the feasibility of enhancing the size of the Barbados spiny lobster (Panularis argus) population with artificial nurseries.

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