Barbados Fisheries Face Climate Impacts

Why this is here: Researchers found nearly half—approximately 46 percent—of the dolphinfish landed in Barbados weighed less than the five-pound juvenile benchmark.

Temeka Maxime and colleagues report on how climate change reshapes fishing in Barbados. Hurricane Beryl in 2024 and Melissa in 2025 damaged over 200 vessels at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex, impacting roughly 2,500 people. The government responded with the Fisheries Recovery Plan and a USD 54 million World Bank project to repair boats and upgrade infrastructure, including a clause pausing loan repayments during disasters.

Sargassum mats also present challenges, both hindering boats and creating habitats for juvenile dolphinfish—leading some fishers to prioritize immediate catches of smaller fish. New legislation, including the Barbados Sustainable Fisheries Management and Development Act, aims to promote sustainable practices and protect marine ecosystems.

Researchers at The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus are collecting data showing about 46 percent of the dolphinfish landed in Barbados weigh less than five pounds. Despite these efforts, weak regional data collection complicates effective stock management, and the long-term effects of climate change on fisheries remain an ongoing concern.