In July, Hurricane Beryl struck Barbados with ferocious intensity, leaving the island’s fishing industry reeling from unprecedented damage. At a temporary boatyard in Bridgetown, remnants of the storm's wrath are palpable—damaged vessels stacked high, their hulls cracked and broken, a stark reminder of just how quickly livelihoods can be swept away.
Around 75% of the island's active fishing fleet suffered varying degrees of harm, with 88 boats completely lost. Charles Carter, owner of a vessel named Joyce, expressed the toll it took on his life. "I had to replace both sides of the hull, up to the waterline," he said, gesturing to his recently restored boat. Months of repairs drained his resources and left him struggling to fish. "That’s my living; fishing is all I do," he added somberly.
In the aftermath, Captain Euride echoed the toll on the industry, describing the situation as “mash up,” and lamenting the struggle to recover from the losses. However, the spirit of resilience is evident as some repaired boats made their way back to sea recently, with support from local authorities—a promising sign for the wider fishing community.
Despite this glimmer of hope, the future appears uncertain. With climate change leading to increasingly severe weather patterns, residents are left with an acute awareness of their vulnerability. Dr. Shelly Ann Cox, the Chief Fisheries Officer, cautioned about shifting sea conditions due to rising temperatures and unstable weather patterns compounding the difficulties fishermen face each season.
In Bridgetown's Oistins Fish Market, the echoes of Hurricane Beryl linger as flying fish, a national symbol and a critical food source, become increasingly harder to find. Cornelius Carrington, who lost one of his boats in the storm, recognizes the shifts in the fishing landscape. "Everything has changed—the tides, the weather, the temperature,” he remarked.
As local fishermen confront a disrupted ecosystem, the tourism sector grapples with dwindling fish supplies impacting restaurants and hotels, which rely on fresh catch. Meanwhile, education around climate change is becoming a central theme in Barbados’ response, particularly among the youth. Organizations like the Caribbean Youth Environmental Network (CYEN) are working to engage young people about their roles in combating climate change.
At Harrison College, students expressed mixed feelings about their future—a blend of despair and determination. Seventeen-year-old Isabella Fredricks reflected on the daunting challenge of global climate change: “We are a very small country... if the big countries don’t make a change, everything we do is going to be pointless.”
Others, like Tenusha Ramsham, emphasize the importance of cooperation and innovation, while Adrielle Baird advocates for clearer communication with global powers to address the pain felt by small island nations.
The urgency for action resonates in discussions led by Barbados' Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who insists on the global elite's mutual responsibility in addressing climate issues, especially for vulnerable nations like hers currently facing the consequences.
As the island combats erosion, bleaching coral, and the threat of rising sea levels, elderly fishermen like Steven Bourne, who lost two boats, are reminded daily of the changing coastline. "It’s an attack from the elements... now you can’t see the water’s edge like before,” he lamented.
Home Affairs Minister Wilfred Abrahams echoed the sentiment. The rise of Category 5 hurricanes and newly prevalent storm patterns have rendered traditional weather predictions obsolete. "What has always been prepared for is changing," he said.
For now, the community remains steadfast, taking to the seas and uniting in their love for the land. “We love this rock. We will always be on this rock,” Bourne declared, embodying a resilient spirit amid the evolving challenges of climate change.
