In July 2024, Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 4 storm, caused over B$190 million in damages in Barbados, severely impacting coastal sectors, particularly the fishing industry. Approximately 90 percent of the island’s fishing fleet was destroyed or damaged, along with key infrastructure, including the Bridgetown Port and the Fisheries Marina. The storm’s surge displaced the “plus sign” concrete boulders protecting the marina, leaving boats, the fish market, and processing facilities exposed to destruction.
The recovery work at the Fisheries Marina involves carefully rebuilding the breakwater using imported, geo-referenced rocks from Norway. Diver Anthony Hackett plays a critical role in positioning each boulder with precision, ensuring the barrier is strong enough to withstand future storms while allowing water to filter through safely. For Anthony, this work is deeply personal, as his brother lost his boat during Hurricane Beryl and was forced to turn to farming. The restored breakwater aims to give local fisherfolk confidence to return to the sea.
This reconstruction is part of the Beryl Emergency Response and Recovery Project, supported by the World Bank, which focuses on restoring infrastructure, reviving fisheries, and increasing Barbados’ resilience to future storms. The initiative provides grants and loans to help fisherfolk repair or replace damaged vessels and equipment, with an emphasis on fair access for men, women, and youth. It also includes studies to guide the creation of future insurance schemes to protect fishing families from disaster-related losses.
Beyond the fishing sector, the project strengthens the broader economy by rehabilitating critical infrastructure like the Bridgetown Port and Fisheries Marina, as well as reinforcing coastal defenses in vulnerable areas such as Paynes Bay and Six Men’s Bay. Investments in the Department of Emergency Management, including new management systems and updated shelter strategies, aim to enhance national preparedness for future climate-related events, with attention to women, children, and people with disabilities.
Financial innovations have also bolstered Barbados’ resilience. The country became the first to adopt a Climate Resilient Debt Clause, allowing debt repayment pauses following disasters, and it utilizes the Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option (CAT DDO) and the World Bank’s Rapid Response Option to ensure swift access to funds during emergencies. These measures, alongside the Beryl Emergency Response and Recovery Project, provide both immediate recovery support and long-term disaster preparedness, helping communities and the fishing industry rebuild stronger and more resilient.
For workers like Anthony, every rock placed is not just engineering—it represents hope and security for fishing families across Barbados, signaling that the industry can recover and thrive despite the threat of future hurricanes.
