We're thrilled to announce that the Sustainable Fisheries Management and Development Act and its sister bill, the Sustainable Fisheries Management and Development (Seafood Markets and Businesses) Act were officially enacted on the 12th of May, 2025.
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Gazette Notice: 12 May 2025
This date will be etched in history as a significant milestone in the transformative development of the Barbados Fisheries Sector. This Landmark Legislation was described as comprehensive and cutting-edge when debated in Parliament on the 7 February 2025 and Senate on the 23 April 2025. The two Acts cover a wide spectrum of areas to support fisheries governance and an adaptive co-management approach.
The new legislation also presents innovative legal regimes including corporate social responsibility in fisheries, fisheries-specific payment for ecosystem services schemes, seafood traceability and fraud prevention in fisheries and the establishment of the Barbados Institute for fisheries and fisheries-related studies.
The Acts can be downloaded at the links below:
It is anticipated that this legislative reform will uplift the profile of the sector and highlight its importance to blue economy development and the national identity of Barbadians. Aspirations to become 'World-Class' can become reality through the effective implementation of the new legislative framework which aims to realize the highest level the potential of the Barbados’ fisheries sector and chart the way forward to sustainable development
