Alternative Fisheries – Phase 1

Background

Barbados is especially dependent on fish products. It consumes almost twice the global average of fish products per capita, and has the 34^th highest consumption per capita in the world. This high level of consumption is twinned by an increasing reliance on imported food stuffs. In 2014 almost 80% of all food products were imported, with important implications for food security and economic ramifications through the balance of payments.

Caribbean fisheries are currently characterised by low yields, small mean size-classes and a scarcity of larger species. Fisheries of the Caribbean contribute significantly to food security and are of enormous social and economic importance to the economies of small island states within the region.

Shrimp is the largest single traded fish commodity globally in value terms, accounting for 15% of the international trade in fish products. Barbados currently produces no shrimp locally, but consumes almost 2kg per capita per year – all of it imported. This is for both the local population, but also crucially to supply the tourist industry. Moving to supply Shrimp sustainably and locally would help address both the environmental problem of unsustainable shrimp fishing, but also provide local, sustainable jobs, and help address food security issues in the country.

Under this project we aim to build understanding of solutions, implement solutions and ensure sustainability by undertaking a pilot activity of sustainable shrimp farming in Barbados. We will implement a demonstration project where we will aim to breed four harvests of shrimp in the first year. We will train individuals through this project and build understanding of the technical and environmental issues of the solution implemented. The demonstration project will also be used to build capacity and awareness of the problem and the solution.