The Developing a Knowledge Product on Disaster-Resistant Boatbuilding in Barbados workshop was held on the 28th of August 2025. Hosting over 55 persons, attendees learned about Vessel Legislation and Regulations from Senior Vessel Inspector Mr. Khyle Pooler and Traditional Boatbuilding from Barbadian shipwright Mr. Philip Haynes.
This workshop fell under the larger Barbados Coastal Fisheries Resilience Project which stemmed from the passage of Hurricane Beryl; a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Government of Japan, and the Government of Barbados. With US$2.93 million in funding from the Government of Japan, the project aims to support tangible recovery by focusing on strategic upgrades of select physical infrastructures and assets - including equipment - to facilitate business continuity and resilient operations.
Left image: Chief Fisheries Officer Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox (left), Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Barbados Mr. Arata Nakae (middle), and Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Limya Eltayeb. Middle image: Participants during the workshop. Right image: Mr. Philip Haynes giving his presentation. (Photo credits - UNDP).
With the goal of co-designing products that reflect and respond to the needs of Barbados' needs, and ensuring that boatbuilding is more resilient and incorporates all the value chain and stakeholders in the boatbuilding industry and the broader fisheries sector, the industry will be positioned to handle threats which are growing in frequency and intensity due to climate change.
Cover photo credit: UNDP