This research was funded by a Campus Staff Award from School of Graduate Studies and Research, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados.
The UN Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September 2015. The 2030 Agenda takes into consideration the conduct of fisheries towards food security so as to ensure sustainable development in social, economic and environmental terms. Goals, five, ten, thirteen and fourteen of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are at the forefront for this research entitled “Women Fisher Folk Barbados- A Gendered Lens”.
Goal five speaks to ‘Gender Equality’ with regards to women and the gross inequalities in work and wages. Goal ten looks at ‘Reduced Inequalities’ within and among countries. We must adopt policies that create opportunities for everyone regardless of who they are or where they are from. Goal thirteen addresses ‘Climate Action’ with respect to climate change and its impacts especially vulnerable regions such as Small Island Developmental States (SIDS). Finally, Goal fourteen looks at ‘Life below Water’, that is, being able to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. More than three billion people depend on marine and coastal diversity for their livelihoods. Growth in the global supply of fish for human consumption has outpaced population growth in the past five decades, increasing at an average annual rate of 3.2 percent in the period 1961–2013 (FAO, 2016). This research is timely and apt.
of fish for human consumption has outpaced population growth in the past five decades, increasing at an average annual rate of 3.2 percent in the period 1961–2013 (FAO, 2016). This research is timely and apt.
I was introduced to this branch of research at the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) by the Project officer Ms. Maria Pena. I remember visiting the office at CERMES and was told about the Women in Fisheries Project. I just felt the yearning to get involved as this is an area in the Caribbean that needs a great more attention. It was also nostalgic. I remembered growing up as a child in Tobago when we would oftentimes go down to the beach at Mt. Irvine to bathe and watch the fishermen pull in their seines. If you volunteered to help, sometimes you go home with some free “catch of the day”. Fish has always been a regular dietary staple in our home, as such, my favourite meal is fish with ‘something’.
My background coupled with the respect for the fisherperson created in me the desire to pursue this research. I felt I had to support these women by highlighting what they do on a daily basis. The research was designed in a unique way to emphasise what was crucial to these women. Consequently, gaps were exposed that begged for improvement in order to foster a better quality of livelihood.
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Letter from
the Editor
Principal Investigator and Staff Awardee
Dr Debra D. Joseph
Women Fisher Folk Barbados - A Gendered Lens