The Ministry of Fisheries, has officially signaled an end to decades of institutional neglect with the presentation of its 2026 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure. Under the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday, the formal delinking of Fisheries from the Ministry of Agriculture marks a transformative shift in governance.
Minister of Fisheries Conroy Huggins said the Ministry is now positioned to deploy cutting-edge technology—including the integration of drones and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)—to revolutionize resource management. proactive stewardship.
The Ministry’s operations are guided by a clear administrative mandate:
Mission: To effectively govern ocean, coastal, freshwater, and terrestrial resources to foster a thriving blue economy while building resilience to climate vulnerabilities through technology, training, and research to enhance livelihoods and environmental stewardship.
Vision: To cultivate a proactive team working toward healthy, productive, and climate-resilient ecosystems that support sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development while optimizing economic benefits for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Key Strategic Pillars:
Institutional & Legislative Modernization: Overhauling regulatory frameworks to drive compliance with international standards and eliminate years of administrative lag.
Export-Led Growth: Maximizing high-value fisheries and aquaculture products to transform national trade performance.
Climate & Disaster Resilience: Implementing GIS-integrated early warning systems and rapid recovery mechanisms to protect the nation’s “Blue Wealth.”
Socio-Economic Inclusion: Prioritizing sustainable livelihoods with a targeted focus on youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
Huggins said a cornerstone of the Ministry’s economic strategy is the national expansion of the Seamos (Simos) sector. Successfully championed in the Grenadines by Minister Leverne King and the “Alchemy” association in Bequia, this industry serves as the primary model for community-led economic stimulation.
Multi-Sectoral Impact of Seamos Production:
Socio-Economic Empowerment: Provides critical supplemental income and job creation, specifically targeting the empowerment of women in vulnerable coastal communities.
Environmental Remediation: Functions as a natural tool for carbon sequestration and pollution management, purifying marine ecosystems.
Industrial Innovation: Leverages high carbohydrate content for diverse extracts, with significant potential for biofuel production.
Huggins said a comprehensive audit of national fishery facilities revealed a “daunting” reality of systemic decay. With the exception of the Kingston Fish Market, the nation’s infrastructure has been left to rot under poor designs and deferred maintenance. The 2026 Roadmap prioritizes the completion of projects that have languished on the books for over two decades.
2026 Infrastructure Roadmap
| Project Name/ID | Strategic Objective | Funding Allocation |
|---|---|---|
| Barrouallie Blackfish Facility | Climate-Resilient Overhaul: Reconstruction of failed sea defenses, slipway, and new waste management. (On the books since 2004). | $2.5 Million |
| Bequia Fish Market | Comprehensive Rehabilitation: Full restoration of market facilities to meet international safety and export standards. | $2.5 Million |
| Fisheries Enhancement Project | Modernization of Cold Chain: Procurement of industrial refrigeration and ice-making equipment for Kingston and Barrouallie. | $2.0 Million |
| Direct Production Support | Completion of Relief: Finalizing remaining payments to fishers and farmers impacted by Hurricane Beryl. | $150,000 |
The $2.5 million allocation for Barrouallie specifically addresses the failure of previous retaining walls—a point of frustration highlighted during consultations with the Japanese Ambassador. This administration is committed to “doing it right the first time” to ensure long-term security for fishers.
Huggins stated that the $14.2 million budget is a balanced investment in both technical capacity and physical assets, designed to transform a skeletal department into a robust, action-oriented agency.
Budgetary Breakdown:
Recurrent Expenditure ($5.8M): Funds a 50% increase in technical capacity, expanding staff from 32 to 48 personnel to ensure rigorous regulatory oversight.
Capital Expenditure ($8.4M): Covers nine core projects, seven of which have already secured indicative funding for immediate commencement.
Huggins said the Ministry’s new “Efficiency Standard” was proven by the recent disbursement of $250,000 to fishers affected by Hurricane Beryl. While these funds sat stagnant under the previous administration, the new Ministry actioned the release within just four weeks. The $150,000 allocated in the 2026 budget represents the final “completion payments” to ensure no fisher is left behind.