By Val Matthias. Updated 11:38 a.m., Friday, May 8, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Fishers in Barrouallie have begun receiving equipment intended to support recovery efforts following the 2021 La Soufrière volcanic eruption, after what the government says was a delay of several years in distribution.
Minister of Fisheries, Marine and Land Conservation and Climate Resilience Conroy Huggins said the supplies were originally part of a project established to assist fishers affected by the eruption.
Speaking during a distribution exercise in the Central Leeward constituency, the minister said the project had effectively been inactive for several years despite equipment being available since 2022.
“Sadly, they were not distributed to the fishers within the time span,” Huggins said.
“Having learned about that, I instructed the Ministry of Fisheries for us to get these to the fishers immediately.”
The items distributed included waves, ropes and fish pot wire, materials used by local fishers involved in fish pot fishing in the Barrouallie area.
Huggins described the support as “long overdue”, saying beneficiaries were individuals identified at the time as being affected by the volcanic eruption.
“We are happy that we are able to do that. The fishers are grateful,” he said.
The distribution forms part of activities leading up to the country’s 49th Fisherman’s Day celebrations on 25th May.
The minister said the government wanted to clear what he described as a backlog in assistance to fishers and ensure support reached recipients more efficiently.
“This is essentially the difference between the previous administration and this present administration,” Huggins said.
“We are operating on efficiency and delivery. We are about people.”
He added that the government remained committed to improving conditions within the fisheries sector and supporting the livelihoods of fishers throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines.
“We have quite a lot of work to do in the fishery sector, from our headquarters, all the fishery centres throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said.
Huggins also pointed to growing local, regional and international interest in the development of the sector and said the government was seeking to “maximize” the country’s marine resources while strengthening capacity building and access to equipment for fishers.
“We are here to facilitate and ensure that the capacity building takes place and the necessary equipment, tools that they need, we are here to give that support,” he said.
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