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?
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