SVG Coastal communities benefit from enhanced understanding of volcanic impacts on its Blue Economy
Communities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines will receive support to manage the ongoing impacts of the 2020 –21 La Soufrière eruption. The assistance comes through a new initiative under the UK’s Sustainable Blue Economies Programme (SBE).
As part of the project, UK marine experts from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) worked with researchers from The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC), the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), and other government partners to carry out offshore surveys in December 2025 using underwater sonars, robotics and seafloor sediment samples. Their findings showed 25 metres thickness of new material deposited offshore from one river, smothering previously healthy coral reefs. Offshore from the Wallibou river they also found more than 20 metres of seafloor sediment had been washed away and carried into the deep ocean.
The SBE team held a workshop at the UWI Global Campus in Kingstown, bringing together representatives from NEMO, the Fisheries Division, the National Fisherfolk Organisation, the Coast Guard, Maritime Administration, Physical Planning, National Parks, and the British High Commission. They also met local fisherfolk to discuss ongoing impacts, with more meetings planned for March 2026.
Commenting on the initiative, Geoffrey Patton, Resident British Commissioner to St Vincent and the Grenadines, said: “We are proud to support St Vincent and the Grenadines in understanding and managing the ongoing impacts of the La Soufrière eruption. Workshops like this are essential for equipping communities and agencies with the knowledge and tools they need to safeguard marine resources and build a resilient Blue Economy.”
Working together, the team is exploring practical approaches to post-eruption marine assessment and recovery. They gathered critical data, including seafloor imagery, environmental observations, and community insights, which will inform future planning and resilience-building efforts.
Dr. Erouscilla Joseph, Director of the UWI-SRC noted that: “This collaboration reflects the SRC’s commitment to providing the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines with robust, evidence-based science to support preparedness, recovery, and long-term resilience. By improving our understanding of how volcanic processes such as lahars [powerful flows of volcanic sediment] affect coastal and marine environments, the project directly supports national efforts to protect livelihoods and plan for a sustainable Blue Economy.”
Dr Michael Clare, Hazards and Pollution Strategic Research Lead at NOC, explained: “This project demonstrates the strength of UK–Caribbean scientific partnerships. By combining advanced marine survey technologies with local expertise, we are helping communities manage volcanic impacts and plan confidently for a resilient, sustainable future.”
The workshop provided a platform for local agencies and community representatives to share experiences, discuss challenges, and identify the next steps for sustainable marine resource management.
Dr Isobel Yeo, a Senior Researcher in volcano science at NOC and co-lead on the project, said; “The data we have collected demonstrates that volcanic eruptions can have major and sustained impacts on the seafloor and marine ecosystems, which can have significant impacts for local communities and the Blue Economy. We hope this ongoing collaboration with St Vincent and the Grenadines will develop new mitigation and management strategies that will meaningfully benefit local communities.”
The mission’s findings, including datasets, field imagery, and workshop outputs, will now be consolidated to inform the next stage of analysis and future resilience planning. A follow-up mission and final meetings are scheduled for March 2026, ensuring continued collaboration and support for national priorities. Fieldwork was enabled by logistical support from NEMO, UWI-SRC and Richmond Vale Academy.
This initiative highlights the UK’s commitment to climate-resilient, sustainable development in Small Island Developing States, leveraging marine science expertise to co-create tools and strategies that protect livelihoods and ocean resources.