Barbados’ fishing industry and the protection of the island’s coasts were the topics of discussion recently when COP29 President-Designate, Mukhtar Babayev; and Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy, Adrian Forde, toured the coastal protection infrastructure at Holetown beach, St. James and the fishing village at Six Men’s, St. Peter.
Mr. Babayev, who is the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, consulted Minister Forde on current efforts and future plans to protect and sustain Barbados’ marine space.
Mr. Forde pointed out that Government was doing what was necessary to ensure that Barbados’ beaches, coastline and fishing industry would be preserved.
“We have the intention to do work over the next year and a half to put a stop to the erosion that is currently affecting our beaches, and by extension, the fisherfolk. At the end of the day, our aim is to have a sustainable industry where our fisherfolk can be proud.
“It has been the bedrock of many Barbadians over the years in order to support themselves and their families, and we intend, as a government, to ensure that fishermen are allowed to have a tangible stake in this sustainable development plan,” the Blue Economy Minister affirmed.
The incoming COP29 head was also briefed on the ongoing Marine Spatial Plan and other mitigation and adaptation programmes.
Also present for the tour were officials from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Ministry of Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy, the Fisheries Division and the Coastal Zone Management Unit.