标签： Barbados

With Barbados’ general election approaching on February 11, the island’s fishing communities are calling for sustained government commitment to post-Hurricane Beryl recovery efforts and the completion of critical infrastructure projects vital to their industry’s survival.

Moonesh Dharampaul, Head of the Black Fin Fleet, emphasized to Barbados TODAY that the fishing sector has established a productive working relationship with current authorities and hopes this partnership will strengthen following the formation of a new administration. The industry suffered catastrophic damage during the 2024 hurricane season, forcing fisherfolk to implement gradual rebuilding measures while developing strategies to mitigate future storm impacts.

Among the most pressing needs identified are proper haul-out facilities at key landing sites. “We urgently need completion of the ongoing breakwater project,” Dharampaul stated. “Additionally, we require functional haul-out facilities and slipways that enable fishermen to quickly remove vessels from water when storms approach.”

Significant progress is underway through the Fisheries Division’s development of a national policy governing Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs). These artificial floating structures attract pelagic fish species and substantially increase catch volumes, though their deployment requires careful regulation to balance economic benefits with environmental considerations and spatial conflicts.

“The Fisheries Division is currently drafting a FAD policy,” Dharampaul confirmed. “We’re collaborating closely with Coastal Zone Management on economic zone spatial planning, and anticipate positive outcomes.” He stressed that meaningful consultation with fishing professionals must remain central to policy development processes, ensuring practical industry experience informs regulatory frameworks.

Dharampaul elaborated on FAD technology’s dual nature: while significantly enhancing fishing efficiency by creating underwater aggregation points that attract larger fish, Barbados’ unique tidal conditions present substantial anchoring challenges. “This is precisely why establishing a proper regulatory mechanism is crucial,” he explained.

Another priority involves finalizing a specialized commercial fishing insurance policy. Through collective negotiation, industry representatives have secured reduced premium rates, potentially dropping from 3% to between 2.2-2.5% through group participation. Dharampaul also highlighted the need for a dedicated commercial fishing policy that acknowledges the diverse scale of fishing operations, unlike existing marine policies focused primarily on charter and recreational vessels.

Recent improvements to ice distribution infrastructure at Bridgetown market—including new compressors and additional ice machines—were acknowledged as critical advancements for food security. “Where we previously serviced two to three boats daily, we can now accommodate six to eight,” Dharampaul noted, while emphasizing ongoing coordination with government officials to ensure these gains are maintained and expanded.

The Barbados Union of Teachers is advocating for a systemic overhaul of school maintenance protocols, demanding mandatory industrial cleaning across all educational institutions at least once annually. Julian Pierre, the union’s vice president and chair of its occupational safety committee, emphasized that reactive measures are insufficient to address persistent environmental health concerns disrupting academic activities. His comments follow the temporary closure of St. Ambrose Primary School, where additional ventilation work is underway after industrial cleaning resolved a severe cockroach infestation. While acknowledging improvements in the Ministry of Educational Transformation’s maintenance program—including off-hours and vacation-period work—Pierre highlighted the critical challenge of aging infrastructure. Many school facilities exceed forty years of service, requiring comprehensive preventative maintenance beyond current efforts. Pierre proposed implementing a rotational cleaning schedule distributed across Easter, summer, and Christmas breaks to prevent overwhelming resources during summer months. He further stressed the necessity for inter-ministerial coordination, particularly involving health authorities for environmental checks beyond school buildings themselves. Key concerns include water quality monitoring, vegetation management, and systematic pest control through regular baiting protocols. Although recognizing the efforts of the Education Technical Management Unit, Pierre insisted that true industrial cleaning standards must be consistently enforced, moving beyond superficial disinfection to address deep-seated infrastructure challenges in Barbados’ educational system.

In a transformative move to revolutionize its agricultural sector, Barbados has inaugurated the state-of-the-art Hope Agricultural Training Institute through a collaborative initiative with China. Prime Minister Mia Mottley unveiled this $40 million facility in St. Lucy, announcing an accompanying 100-acre land allocation program specifically designed for young agricultural entrepreneurs.

The cutting-edge institute represents a strategic partnership between Barbados and China, funded through a Chinese government grant. Spanning 45 acres, the facility aims to become the Caribbean’s premier center for advanced training in crop production, animal husbandry, and heavy-duty agricultural equipment operation. The program directly links education with practical application, ensuring graduates receive both modern technical skills and immediate access to productive land resources.

Prime Minister Mottley emphasized the institution’s critical role in national development, stating it would fundamentally transform Barbados’s agricultural legacy. ‘This institution will play a pivotal role in our country’s development by moving away from the plantation model that historically defined our agriculture,’ Mottley declared during the inauguration ceremony. She stressed that future food security depends on integrating capital, technology, innovation, and youth passion within appropriate regulatory frameworks.

The initiative specifically addresses multiple national challenges: reducing agricultural imports through enhanced food security, combating diet-related health crises including diabetes complications, and creating sustainable economic opportunities for young Barbadians. Mottley challenged students to reclaim Barbados’s historical leadership in agricultural innovation, referencing the nation’s past breakthroughs in cane breeding, grapefruit development, and specialty cotton varieties.

With Barbados celebrating its 60th anniversary of independence and fifth year as a republic, the timing of this initiative carries symbolic significance. Training and Vocational Education Minister Sandra Husbands characterized the project as a ‘strategic investment in youth, technology, and agricultural future’ during her remarks.

Chinese Ambassador Zheng Bingkai highlighted the institute’s alignment with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, noting its focus on food security, youth empowerment, and modern agricultural development. The project stands as a testament to the strengthening partnership between the two nations, built on shared values of diligence and innovative governance.

The comprehensive program addresses the entire agricultural value chain, with particular emphasis on agro-processing capabilities to reduce waste and enhance economic resilience. By combining education, land access, and technology transfer, Barbados aims to position itself as a regional leader in sustainable agricultural innovation.

The prestigious Anthony N Sabga Awards for Caribbean Excellence has unveiled its 2026 laureates, with visual artist Sheena Rose and social advocate Shamelle Rice among five distinguished honorees recognized for their transformative contributions to regional development. Announced during a virtual ceremony streamed from Port of Spain, the awards celebrate exceptional professionals whose work exemplifies the highest standards of excellence across multiple disciplines.

Professor Compton Bourne, Chairman of the Regional Eminent Persons Panel, emphasized the rigorous selection process involving ten eminent Caribbean citizens who evaluated outstanding candidates from Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, and Trinidad and Tobago. The panel’s decisions reflect the program’s commitment to identifying individuals whose work significantly advances Caribbean society.

Now in its 21st year, the awards program has recognized 66 laureates across four categories—Arts and Letters, Entrepreneurship, Public and Civic Contributions, and Science and Technology—distributing over TT$32 million (approximately US$4.7 million) in support. Each 2026 category winner receives TT$500,000 (approximately US$73,500) to further their developmental work.

Sheena Rose, honored in the Arts and Letters category, has gained international recognition for her intellectually rich artistic practice that challenges social hierarchies through painting, murals, and performance art. Her work has been featured in solo exhibitions from London to New York and has garnered coverage in major media outlets including The New York Times and BBC. Beyond her creative practice, Rose dedicates significant time to mentoring emerging artists and has participated in residencies across four continents, strengthening Barbados’ artistic community while building global connections.

Shamelle Rice received recognition in Public and Civic Contributions for her groundbreaking work through Jabez House, a registered charity she founded in 2012 that supports women seeking to transition from sex work to legal employment. The organization provides comprehensive support including vocational training, job placement, mental health services, housing assistance, and basic needs support. Notably, Jabez House has assisted over 1,000 women across the Caribbean region, achieving transition success rates exceeding 50% among this highly stigmatized population. Rice’s academic background in psychology, social work, and gender studies, combined with her strategic partnerships with government and international organizations, has enabled her to create sustainable change for vulnerable women and their families.

The 2026 cohort also includes Jamaican telecommunications entrepreneur Dean Nevers, while the Science and Technology award was jointly presented to Guyana-born American biotech innovator Dr. Niven Narain and Jamaican climate scientist Professor Tannecia Stephenson. The laureates will be formally inducted into the program’s College of Laureates during a gala ceremony scheduled for later this year, where they will share insights into their impactful work strengthening Caribbean societies and enhancing the region’s global presence.

Amid escalating traffic congestion plaguing Barbados, a stark contrast has emerged between the island’s competing political pledges and the expert-backed demand for a cohesive, data-centric national strategy. The Barbados Labour Party (BLP), Democratic Labour Party (DLP), and Friends of Democracy (FOD) have each unveiled distinct campaign proposals to alleviate gridlock, ranging from constructing flyovers and ‘sea taxis’ to carving new roadways. However, Deputy Principal of the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, Professor Winston Moore, cautions that such fragmented approaches are inadequate without a unified framework grounded in empirical evidence and integrated urban planning.

Professor Moore advocates for a paradigm shift towards a ‘smart city’ model, emphasizing the critical need for real-time traffic data collection and adaptive signal systems that dynamically respond to traffic volume fluctuations. This methodology, he explains, focuses on systematically reducing bottlenecks through coordinated junction management, thereby enhancing travel time predictability and overall network reliability. The University of the West Indies is already cultivating the necessary expertise, producing graduates in data and business analytics equipped to assist the government in this evidence-based transition.

Beyond technological integration, Professor Moore identifies deeply ingrained travel patterns as a fundamental contributor to congestion. The necessity for individuals to make multiple stops—such as dropping children at school and a spouse at work—before commencing their own commute exacerbates peak-hour pressures. He proposes a holistic planning system that includes situating schools closer to residential communities and establishing a dedicated, potentially privately-funded school bus system to minimize these multi-stop journeys.

Further recommendations include implementing staggered work schedules and expanding remote work options to distribute travel demand more evenly across the week. The development of reliable transit hubs, inspired by successful international models like those in Canada, is also highlighted as a pivotal component. These hubs, supported by adequate parking infrastructure, would encourage a shift from private vehicle use to public transport by addressing commuters’ reluctance to relinquish their personal cars.

Echoing this sentiment, Roy Raphael, Head of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT), affirmed the potential of transport hubs to significantly ease congestion. Raphael also suggested the introduction of toll systems on specific high-traffic routes, such as sections of the ABC Highway, to facilitate quicker movement into urban centers like Bridgetown, where traditional commuter volumes have notably declined.