In a crucial step towards revitalizing the sea moss industry in the Grenadines, the SeaMoss Association of St. Vincent & the Grenadines (SMASVG) has launched an ambitious recovery project aimed at women hit hardest by Hurricane Beryl. The initiative, “Rebuilding Infrastructure and Recovery Support in the Aftermath of Hurricane Beryl,” is backed by the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).
The project targets 10 vulnerable women in the Grenadines whose livelihoods were decimated by the hurricane, offering them vital assistance to rebuild their sea moss businesses and regain financial stability. SMASVG, founded in 2023, is a grassroots nonprofit committed to ensuring the sustainability and traceability of Vincentian sea moss while empowering local harvesters to thrive in an increasingly unpredictable market.
The virtual launch on September 16 brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, international partners, and beneficiaries, to discuss the project’s scope and the broader impact of Hurricane Beryl on the region’s sea moss trade. Among the notable participants were Hon. Benarva Browne, Minister of Urban Development, Energy, Seaports, Grenadines Affairs, and Local Government; Miriam van Nie, Political Counsellor at the High Commission of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean; and Jennifer Cruickshank-Howard, Chief Fisheries Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Miriam van Nie praised the initiative, stating, “Canada is proud to support this recovery effort, which we hope will strengthen small producers in an industry deeply vulnerable to climate change. This project embodies the resilience of the Grenadines’ sea moss community.”
Minister Benarva Browne underscored the significance of collective action, calling the project a “testament to the strength and unity required to rebuild our communities and industries.”
The recovery project aims to:
Rebuild small businesses: Help women restore their sea moss enterprises disrupted by Hurricane Beryl.
Provide emotional support: Offer crucial psychosocial aid to help participants recover from the trauma of the disaster.
Enhance business and financial skills: Deliver targeted training in business management and financial literacy.
Foster networking and best practices: Build a support network for participants to share knowledge and industry expertise.
This initiative offers a lifeline to the women of the Grenadines, many of whom are central to the region’s sea moss industry. More than just a recovery effort, it is a rallying cry for progress, resilience, and long-term sustainability in the face of climate-driven adversity.