The 12th of May 2025 saw the passing of two key pieces of legislation for Barbados' fishing industry: the Sustainable Fisheries Management and Development Bill, 2025 and the Sustainable Fisheries Management and Development (Seafood Markets and Businesses) Bill, 2025. However, what do these mean for those within the industry?
The Barbados Fisheries Division, a division of the Ministry of Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy is engaging in educational and training efforts to raise awareness of the recently enacted Sustainable Fisheries Development and Management Act, 2025 (“the Act”) and its suite of laws. This initiative will span civil society, the judiciary and its enforcement officers to ensure the provisions of the suite are implemented.
As part of this initiative, the Barbados Fisheries Division is seeking to host a mock trial simulation to address catch sizes of dolphinfish and the strict liability penal provisions which are created by the Act and Sustainable Fisheries Management and Development Regulations, 2025 (“the Regulations”). The mock trial simulation will follow a fact pattern (see attached) focused on addressing:
i. Elements required to prove catching undersized dolphinfish as a strict liability offence under Regulation 9 of the Regulations;
ii. Prohibited species and the fish size and weight limits, and the retention allowances for dolphin fish as provided for in Regulation 9 and Part III of the Second Schedule of the Regulations;
iii. The role of the fisheries observers in gathering evidence as set out in section 46 of the Act; and
iv. The penal provisions for overfishing as set out in Regulation 24 of the Regulations.
Attendees should prepare for what will be a riveting and informative trial with judicial proceedings overseen by Magistrate Angela Knight, defense for boat owners and captains provided by Attorney-at-Law Martie Garnes, and a Police Prosecutor who will represent the state in the proceedings. Team members from the Barbados Fisheries Division, Officers from the Marine Police, and Fisherfolk representatives will also be involved in the proceedings.
Left: Magistrate Angela Knight, Right: Defense Martie Garnes
The mock trial will be hosted at the Moot Court Room in the Law Faculty of the University of the West Indies, Cavehill Campus on the 27th of August at 2 P.M.
Please R.S.V.P here: https://forms.gle/FbjNCj17HmtsQ8y46
Cover photo credit: UWI Law Faculty