BarbadosNatural Resources

What is Barbados’ main natural resource

Besides natural gas and petroleum, fishing is the main natural resource of Barbados.

The warm waters off the coast of Barbados offer ideal fishing for Barracuda, Tuna, Wahoo, Dolphin (Dorado) and the Marlin species.

Fishing villages dot the Barbados coast, the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex, located just outside the Bridgetown Port, are big wholesale and retail points for the industry.

Where does all the fishing take place?

Skeete's Bay in St. Philip

Consett Bay and Martin's Bay in St. John

Speightstown and Six Men's in St. Peter

Oistins Town in Christ Church

Weston St. James and...

Tent Bay in St. Joseph

• are among the most popular fisheries centres in Barbados.

Flying Fish

Barbados is known as ‘the land of the flying fish.

Commercially, it is the most important species as it comprises of about 55% of total annual landings.

The species found in this region are about 25cm long and are shaped like herring.

Currently, mostly self-employed people dominate the industry, and are involved in actual fishing, processing, distribution, retailing, wholesaling, boat building and fish exporting.

Overall, fishing in Barbados provides employment and income, directly and indirectly, for an estimated 6,000 people.

Fishing in Barbados is not only business. Tourists can enjoy ‘game fishing’ off the shores of the island and can experience the thrill of hauling in the big catch.

Environmental impact of fishing in Barbados.

The main effect of fishing in Barbados is over fishing-the biggest single threat to marine ecosystems today.

This has led to the breakdown of some sea ecosystems and several fishing industries whose catch has been greatly diminished.

The reality of modern fishing is that the industry is dominated by fishing vessels that far out-match nature's ability to replenish fish.

Leatherback and Hawksbill Turtles were once endangered due to over-fishing in Barbados but they are now protected and many fishermen make sure that they are well fed.

Fishing may disrupt food webs by targeting specific, in-demand species. There might be too much fishing of prey species, thus reducing the food supply for the predators. It may also cause the increase of prey species when the target fishes are predator species such as tuna.

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