By S.Browne. Updated 5:55 p.m., Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Barrouallie whalers marked one year since the signing of the Orca Protection Agreement on Friday, January 16th, 2026, a landmark partnership with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Environment Fund (SVGEF) aimed at ending the hunting of orcas in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
In January 2025, the Barrouallie whalers decided to cease the hunting of orcas in exchange for the deployment of two artisanal Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) to support alternative tuna fishing livelihoods. The agreement was developed through continued dialogue and collaboration, recognising the need to balance marine conservation with the livelihoods and realities of coastal communities.
The anniversary discussion, held at the Barrouallie Fisheries Complex, provided space for reflection on the financial and cultural sacrifices made, the technical and operational progress of the agreement, and the shared commitment to protecting the marine environment while continuing to support coastal livelihoods.
Present at the anniversary were all members of the Barrouallie whaling community and the SVGEF team who had signed the agreement in January 2025. The meeting was also attended by key partners, including community representatives from Barrouallie, partner NGOs, and members of the Government of SVG.
The SVGEF, which facilitated the agreement in 2025, reaffirmed its commitment in 2026 to supporting the Barrouallie community through conservation initiatives that protect marine biodiversity while respecting local livelihoods. The SVG Conservation Fund (SVGCF) also extended thanks to the whalers and the wider Barrouallie community, as well as Fundación Cethus, Blue Marine Foundation, Conservation Collective, and the Ministry of Fisheries for their continued support throughout the process.
Reflecting on the decision taken over a year ago, the Barrouallie whalers acknowledged that, while the transition required sacrifice, they agreed it was ultimately the right step forward.
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