Why isn’t BVI doing fish farming?
Why haven’t local stakeholders made significant efforts toward fish farming in the British Virgin Islands?
Fish farming, which has the potential to bolster the BVI’s economy, has been discussed on various platforms but remains an unfulfilled promise. Talk show host Violet Gaul recently raised concerns on the Talking Points show on ZBVI Radio about the lack of action in this area, especially as nearby territories like the USVI advance their fish farming programs.
The idea of fish farming in the BVI isn’t new. As Gaul pointed out during the show, the topic was discussed in August 2022 when guest Clive Petrovic advocated for introducing fish farming to the territory. Petrovic conducted thorough research to ensure the practice would be environmentally sustainable. Despite his considerable efforts and public discussions, no tangible progress has been made.
This delay is particularly frustrating in light of recent developments in the USVI. “A couple of days ago, I see [a news headline]… ‘Fish farming programme to launch in the USVI’. What’s wrong with us over here?” Gaul asked.
Co-host Elvin Grant echoed these sentiments, noting that discussions about developing the farming and fishing industry in the territory have been ongoing for years without significant movement. “I think this is just a further extension of all of the arguments being made by the fishermen and farmers. You know, we’ve had the Junior Minister on, we’ve had the Premier on, and they’ve all talked about various grand plans for agriculture,” Grant said.
The BVI has historically struggled with promises to revamp its agriculture and fishing industries. Grant highlighted that commitments to rejuvenate these sectors have been made by various administrations but have yet to materialize.
The discussion also touched on the government’s broader approach to raising revenue. Both Gaul and Grant pointed out that while the BVI excels in tourism and financial services, the lack of innovative revenue-raising measures, such as fish farming, leaves much to be desired.
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Just stop you crap about fish farming, we eat healthy catch wild fish, the colonials has created nomaclature for our sea now called blue economy, and our leaders will start to wield some corrupt deal over our sea resources, so these fish farms are created to retard fishing development so the large fishing corporate business can come into our international waters and take our fresh catch fish, just like how the labels on food mention non GMO ,so to will fish package fresh wild fish will price higher than farmed fish. We are participating in our destruction by calling for the solutions prepared by our former slave masters.
Climate change.
Fish farming is terrible for the environment (and the fish)
Why? Because it takes planning, financing and know how.
I’d edit penultimate paragraph to say that BVI has historically struggled to fill its promises. Not just fishing or ag.
are not sought after by BVI youths. Indoor jobs in AC cooled offices with some meager pay are more desirable.
The people of Anegada should establish a collective corporate export fishery.
Outsiders have tried- but the people should do this and the government should support them.
In other words, it will never happen.
The BVI isn’t doing much of anything because we have way too many talkers/complainers and not enough hustlers/doers, that’s it, THAT’S ALL! A bunch of lazy complainers always playing politics and take comfort in blaming the government of the day for everything. If that energy was put into doing proper research, taking risks, investing finances, time, effort, much more would happen. The people who are focused, are doing well. The people who are complaining, will keep complaining.
Why should i do fishing farm when i can get easy money from the fishing stimulus package.
Where is the fisheries department and market?
1) Terrible for environment/eco system
2) High start up cost, specialized equipment, and technical knowledge
3) Only specific fresh water fish can be mass produced to make the whole thing profitable. Not the saltwater potfish we grow to love.
First, fish farming is terrible for the environment. We need to stop this stupidness that money is more important than our ecology. Fact: without nature, we done.
Second, WATCH OUT. Deputy allegedly planning to sell our fishing, our seabed and other fundamentals to her Chinese friends. Right now!
She could easily use fish farming as a way to secure fish for us while those Chinese ships hoover up our ocean.
Keep an eye on her. She is offering the BVI to new colonial masters so she can look good short-term and so she and friends/fam can make big bucks.
NO! to fish farming, and NO to selling our islands to Chinese!
Why farm fish and we have them jumping wild all around us??
We dont need farming. What we need is to sustain the environment so that fishery can thrive.
We have to stop with this export stuff. We cant compeet with the Green Hous capacity in the US. We also cant compete with fish farms as well….Asia and South America have that covered.
The best approach is to work with farmers who are serious and have some skin in the game to work towards reducing some imported foods. Create our own model rather than following others we cant compete with.
The manatee bab**n in the 1st in charge of Agricultural can’t even handel a cow and calf on the loose for months in the district.
Isn’t non functional Agricultural dept responsible for impounded animals!!.Take that grin off ur face, get serious and do the people’s work!!
Since late June the wandering loose cows and their destruction. Dustrict Rep a lost cause with big promise but instead supporting the owner by hiding
his/ her identity as property owners suffer loss disruption and damage with no relief zero compensation or assist. Motorists too have complained about damage to vehicle and accidents. A waste of time and bs talk this D1 Rep.
Farmed fish is disgusting. Most people avoid it altogether.
Why don’t we have fishing?