A major milestone in the development of the nation’s marine sectors was reached this June with the successful conclusion of a series of intensive stakeholder consultations aimed at strengthening fisheries, seafood safety, and aquaculture.
The consultations, which spanned mainland St. Vincent and the Grenadine islands of Bequia, Canouan, and Union Island, were conducted under the Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project. This initiative, funded by the World Bank, seeks to unlock the economic potential of marine resources while promoting climate-resilient and sustainable development.
The two-week mission focused on the creation of two pivotal strategic frameworks:
- A Five-Year Seafood Sanitary and Quality Inspection Service Development Plan.
- A Strategic Action Plan for Fisheries and Aquaculture.
These plans are designed to modernize the regulatory framework, improve safety standards, and support long-term growth within the industry. A primary objective of the seafood sanitary plan is to assist St. Vincent and the Grenadines in regaining access to lucrative European Union (EU) seafood markets.
Rissha Alleyne, UBEC Fisheries Specialist, described the input from government agencies, private operators, and the sea moss industry as “extremely valuable”. She noted that the goal is to ensure “top-quality seafood products for export while also enhancing the quality of products available right here at home”.
Chief Fisheries Officer Jennifer Cruickshank-Howard highlighted that the initiative comes at an “opportune time” to address gaps in the existing 2018 Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy. She specifically pointed to aquaculture as a sector with “tremendous potential” for job creation, investment, and food security.
The mission included site visits to fishing communities, processing facilities, and vessels by international consultants Helder Silva and Roy Bealey. Silva reported a “strong commitment” among local stakeholders to address existing challenges and meet international certification requirements.
Fisheries Management Consultant Roy Bealey emphasized that the country possesses “impressive shore-based fisheries infrastructure” that remains largely untapped. He stated that the new strategic plan would focus on increasing efficiency and creating value while “balancing industry growth with responsible resource management”.
The findings from these consultations are expected to drive future investments and capacity-building initiatives. By establishing higher standards for both local consumption and regional shipping, the UBEC Project aims to position St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a competitive leader in the Caribbean’s emerging Blue Economy.
The UBEC Project expressed its gratitude to the fishers, processors, and mariculture operators whose expertise contributed to the process.