On July 1, 2024 Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Barbados as a Category 4 storm. The storm hit the coast, sank and damaged boats, and many market vendors lost income. In Bridgetown parts of the breakwater were damaged and many dolos toppled and sank. Fishing aggregating devices (FADs) in places such as Paynes Bay were destroyed and catches fell.
After the storm 54 people from the fisheries sector were interviewed. The group included boat owners, fishermen, vendors and processors at landing sites like Bridgetown Public Market, Oistins, Pile Bay, Conset Bay and Paynes Bay. They asked for stronger breakwaters, coral reef restoration, better boats made from reinforced fibreglass, Kevlar or marine-grade aluminium, and larger marinas with safer on-land storage. The World Bank, UNDP and Japan are supporting recovery projects.
Difficult words
- hurricane — A strong storm with heavy rain and wind.
- damage — Harm or destruction caused to something.
- vital — Very important or necessary for life.
- infrastructure — Physical structures needed for operation.
- community — A group of people living together.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can communities better prepare for storms?
- What role does fishing play in your local economy?
- Why is restoring coral reefs important?
Related articles
Diamond dust not suitable for stratospheric cooling
Researchers at Washington University studied detonation-made diamond dust for stratospheric aerosol injection. Simulations show carbon impurities and sp2 carbon cause absorption and reduce scattering, so these nanodiamonds are unlikely to cool the planet effectively.
Deforestation and Indigenous communities in the Republic of Congo
Civil society groups say logging and other extractive activity, often linked to Chinese firms, are accelerating forest loss in the Congo Basin. Indigenous peoples face land loss and threats to their livelihoods while oversight and compensation remain unclear.
Chepang Landscape proposed as an OECM in Nepal
The Government of Nepal has proposed the Chepang Landscape as an Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure (OECM). The area is community-managed and important for biodiversity, but land-rights and cultural concerns must be addressed.