Kingstown St. Vincent May 26,2026-The fishing industry in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines recorded a strong recovery in 2025, with estimated fish landings reaching approximately 1.93 million pounds and generating more than EC$16.3m in earnings, according to Fisheries Minister Conroy Huggins.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the country’s 49th Fisherman’s Day celebrations in Little Tokyo on Monday, Mr Huggins said the figures represented significant growth compared with 2024, when fish landings stood at 1.7 million pounds, valued at EC$14.7m.
He described the rebound as evidence of the “recovery and determination” of fishers following the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024.
The hurricane severely affected fishing communities across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, particularly in the southern Grenadines, damaging fishing vessels, engines, berthing facilities and marine ecosystems.
According to Mr Huggins, many fishers lost equipment, income and their primary source of livelihood after the storm.
“Despite these hardships, our fishers demonstrated extraordinary resilience, determination and courage,” he said.
The minister noted that the recovery was reflected in the volume of catches being brought ashore during this year’s Fisherman’s Day activities.
However, he warned that some parts of the sector remained under pressure, particularly conch and lobster fisheries.
Mr Huggins said conch landings fell by 17.6% in 2025, resulting in earnings losses of more than EC$200,000, while lobster earnings declined by 27%, representing an estimated EC$300,000 reduction.
He said the declines highlighted the growing pressure on marine resources and reinforced the need for sustainable fisheries management.
“The sea is generous, but its resources are not unlimited,” the minister said.
Mr Huggins also outlined government plans to strengthen the industry through increased investment in fisheries infrastructure, marine conservation and climate resilience initiatives.
The 2026 national budget allocates approximately EC$14.3m to the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine and Land Conservation and Climate Resilience, including more than EC$8.4m in capital spending.
Among the projects planned are upgrades to fisheries facilities, vessel retrofitting programmes, expanded refrigerated storage and the establishment of a queen conch hatchery and nursery unit in Union Island to support stock recovery.
The minister also announced that a long-term fisheries sector plan was being developed to guide policy, infrastructure development and climate adaptation efforts.