Barbados Fishing Industry Still Reeling From Hurricane Beryl Aftermath

In Bridgetown, Barbados, the temporary boatyard bears stark testimony to the destruction wrought by Hurricane Beryl in July.

Hurricane Beryl damaged about 75% of Barbados' active fishing fleet, with 88 boats completely destroyed. I Photo: UNDP

Damaged boats, with gaping hulls and broken rudders, sit piled on stacks, Will Grant reported for BBC News.

Some vessels have been salvaged and repaired, but many others were lost, devastating family incomes. The storm damaged about 75% of the active fishing fleet, with 88 boats completely destroyed.

Charles Carter, a fisherman, has spent months restoring his vessel, Joyce, at great personal cost.

“That’s my living, my livelihood. Fishing is all I do,” Carter said. Captain Euride, a fellow fisherman, added, “The fishing industry is mash up. We’re just trying to put back the pieces.”

Six months after the storm, some progress has been made.

On a warm Saturday, repaired vessels returned to the sea with government support. However, Barbadians remain wary, knowing that climate change could bring more frequent and powerful hurricanes, threatening their livelihoods yet again.