Although Hurricane Beryl skirted the south of Barbados yesterday, early damage assessment includes major damage incurred by the fisherfolk and related facilities.
Barbadians are inclined to be ‘mealy mouthed’ addressing the issues which contrast with the forthright comment from the blogmaster. It is well known a majority of the fishing boat fleet – many reported to have been destroyed or damaged yesterday were NOT insured.
One does not have to think too hard who will suffer the financial burden were government to bailout the fisherfolk who have delivered strident feedback to the Prime Minister when she toured yesterday. The blogmaster understands from a reliable source the principals at Port St Charles and Port Ferdinand offered safe harbour to the fisherfolk once they had insurance, however, only a handful were able to produce proof of insurance.
On her first stop, Mottley met boat owners and other concerned fisherfolk who came to the complex on the Princess Alice Highway, The City, to salvage what they could from the vessels.
Nation Newspaper – 2 July 2024
“The greatest damage is in coastal assets and coastal infrastructure. I am told by many of you [fisherfolk] that you have never seen these kinds of waves, this kind of force, come across this part of the island.
“But the most important thing is, we do not panic from here on in. You have life, that is the one thing I can’t give back to anybody,” Mottley said around 3:50 p.m., close to two hours after Barbados was given the all-clear.
Several senior Government officials, such as Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams; Minister of the Environment and the Blue Economy Adrian Forde; Kerry Hinds, director of the Department of Emergency Management; Chief Fisheries Officer Shelly-Ann Cox, were gathered.
There was a persistent strong smell of diesel as the fisherfolk assessed the damage and attempted to remove fish stored on the boats. High sea swells continued to crash into the wave barrier, the ripple effect of which was boats hitting the dock.
There is therefore merit to the following observation:
Should the Barbados taxpayer have to pay for any bailout for fisherfolk if one is being planned?
Why doesn’t the Fisheries Unit insist on insurance as a prerequisite for annual registration? Is this a case of the state failing to safeguard taxpayers?
Although it is fair to accept some fisherfolk may be suffering from money issues, many of them own two and three boats which were damaged or destroyed yesterday. The level of financial illiteracy and carelessness continually exercised by actors in civil society is unacceptable. The government as ‘guardian’ of the state has a responsibility to protect citizens and business players from themselves AND taxpayers.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.