by Arley Salimbi Gill
Come 1 January 2026, Grenada will be banned from exporting fish to the United States of America.
This is significant because, in many respects, the US has been the main export destination for our fish, providing a ready market for yellowfin tuna, in particular, and earning millions in foreign exchange for our economy every year.
This trade puts dollars in the fisherfolk’s (men and women) pockets directly, and it positively impacts fishing communities such as Gouyave, Carriacou, Petite Martinique, Soubise and Marquis, to name a few. The economy of fishing communities is directly impacted; the small grocery shops, clothing retail stores, bars, fresh vegetable sales and, indeed, grassroots commerce will feel the pinch.
How did this come about? How did we get there? Those are the questions on the lips of every conscientious Grenadian.
In understanding the fishing sector, one must examine Act No.15 of 1986. It provides for the promotion and management of fisheries in the fishery waters of Grenada and for matters incidental to that activity. In summary, the act provides as follows:
Structure and Responsibilities of the Fisheries Division
Minister of Fisheries: shall take such measures as he thinks fit to promote the management and development of fisheries, so as to ensure the optimum utilisation of the fisheries resources in the fishery waters for the benefit of Grenada.
The minister may appoint a Fisheries Advisory Committee to advise on the management and development of fisheries.
The Permanent Secretary: liaison between the Minister and the Chief Fisheries Officer (CFO).
Chief Fisheries Officer: The CFO shall prepare and keep under review a plan for the Management and development of fisheries in the fishery waters.
- Identify each fishery and assess the present state of its exploitation
- Specify the objectives to be achieved in management of each fishery
- Specify the management and development measures to be taken
- Specify the licensing programme to be followed for each fishery; the limitations, if any, to be applied to local fishing operations and the amount of fishing, if any, to be allocated to foreign fishing vessels
In the preparation and review of the fisheries plan, the Chief Fisheries Officer shall consult with the local fishermen, local authorities, other persons affected by a fishery plan and with any Fisheries Advisory Committee appointed. The Chief Fisheries Officer is the pivotal main administrative person with regard to fisheries. He reports to the Permanent Secretary, who then reports to the Minister. The Minister is the boss and is ultimately responsible for the performance of the CFO.
There are different methods of fishery; there are the longline fishery, beach seine fishery, FAD fishery, fish-pot fishery, and so on. So that fishery is the generic term used to describe fishery in general.
Then, within the ministry, there is also a structure.
The Fisheries Division Structure
The Chief Fisheries Officer is the head of the Fisheries Division with responsibilities to effectively manage the fisheries sector and resources sustainable for current and future generations to enjoy.
The Biology Unit comprising of a marine biologist, with responsibilities for monitoring living and non-living marine resources, data collection, analysing data, research, stock assessment, making recommendation, advising the CFO, collaborating with local and foreign institutions/organisations such as CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), CRFM (Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism), ICCAT (International Convention for the conservation of Atlantic Tunas), among others . That unit will also assist with drafting legislation and advise on imposing moratorium for fisheries management purposes.
The Extension Unit delivers extension services between the Fisheries Division and fishermen. This is the bridge between the fisheries division and the fishing folk. Data Collectors for collecting catch and fish landing data at fish markets and fish processing companies. Data Entry Clerk for inputting data into the computer. Then, there are the refrigerator technicians, secretary, driver and fish market staff that complete the public management of the fishing sector.
Understanding the issues pertaining to the ban on export of fish from Grenada to the US beginning 1 January 2026
The final report on Grenada, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States, concludes that there is no legal prohibition on intentional/serious injury of marine mammals in commercial fishing, and that monitoring and reporting frameworks are still being developed. Therefore, we can safely say that Grenada has failed to report and comply with NOAA’s requirements set out in the Marine Mammals Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA), in spite of numerous requests and warnings sent to Grenada to ensure compliance as a prerequisite to avoid a ban on fish exports to the US. As a consequence of failing to report and to comply with the MMPA, Grenada is listed among 12 countries unable to export fish to the United States at the beginning of January 2026.
Grenada has been informed and advised by NOAA to comply with the MMPA, which means that Grenada’s fisheries laws and regulations have to be amended to become compatible with US standards for the protection of marine mammals. Fishing gears and methods deployed by fishers in Grenada are to be compatible and meet US standards, ensuring marine mammals are not caught during fishing activities.
Furthermore, strengthening data collection is another issue. Grenada has not been collecting bycatch data, which refers to incidental catch or unintentional catch. Currently, there is no mechanism in place for collecting, reporting and analysing by-catch data.
Additionally, Grenada’s fisheries laws do not include provisions that govern the collection of bycatch data. This is also a concern for NOAA that makes Grenada ineligible to sell fish to the US in accordance with the MMPA.
As a consequence, the longline fishery will be seriously affected by the ban on export to America. Longline fishery mainly targets yellowfin tuna for the export market. Local fisherfolk use longline fishing gear which comprises multiple hooks and miles of monofilament line and buoys.
At present, approximately 98% of the longliners in Grenada use J-hooks, instead of circle hooks on their longlines. The use of J-hooks on longline fishing gear is prohibited by the US fisheries authority due to the high mortality rate, unlike the circle hooks that reduce the risk of catching marine mammals.
NOAA, therefore, recommends the use of circle hooks. Fortunately, as I understand it, circle hooks were tested in Grenada in 2018 with an observer on board. Two fishers also attended a workshop in Miami, Florida, during the same period as part of the training exercise. Unfortunately, however, Grenada’s fisheries authority failed in that regard to sensitise the longline fishers on the success of the use of the circle hooks. Hence, the longline fishers continue to use alternative hooks to their liking and fancy. Thus, as it is, an insignificant number of longline fishermen are exposed to the use of circle hooks.
Another important fishery is the Fish Aggregate Device (FAD) fishery. This device is anchored with its main purpose to attract pelagic species. Draft FAD legislation has been prepared, as I understand it, and it’s currently sitting at the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
The draft document will now have to be updated to ensure that marine mammals are not unintentionally caught. That act has to ensure that the use of materials during construction for aggregation is included in the legislation.
Implications regarding the commercial sector of the fishing industry
A ban on fishery export can lead to the collapse of the Grenada fishing sector or, at least, create irreparable harm. The fishing industry is one of the main contributors to foreign exchange earnings. The industry employs approximately 3,000 to 5,000 Grenadian workers directly; and, indirectly, part time or fulltime fisherfolks. This includes fishermen, fisherwomen, fish vendors, fish cleaners, boat builders, gas station service operators, fish exporters, and staff at fisheries facilities, sea moss farmers, tackle shops, refrigeration technicians, drivers, and marine mechanics, among others. A ban on fish export to the US under the MMPA will negatively affect the fishing industry, rural economy and, of course, the national economy.
Grenada exports approximately 2 million pounds of fish annually, with a value of about EC$30 million. Grenada’s fisheries are a multimillion dollar industry and growing from strength to strength. The fish exported from Grenada is rated amongst the best in the world for quality and freshness. Grenada is HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) certified and is listed on the number one list. This is arguably the most recognised worldwide food safety programme.
Grenadians have invested millions in the fishing industry. A fishing pirogue that goes fishing and returns on the same day costs over EC$50,000. One expedition on any day will include several costs, including the cost of petrol; and EC$50,000 is at the lower end of the costs to fishermen and women. Therefore, their investment must be respected by the fisheries authority, and the fisheries authority must accept responsibility for failing to do their jobs as managers of the fisheries resources and do everything within their powers to restore confidence amongst fishers.
The risk that they take with their lives to put food on the table for their families, send their children to school, pay their monthly utility bills and to live a quality life, cannot be taken lightly by those in authority. They deserve, first of all at the very least, an apology, and a commitment to do all that can be done to make things right. The fisherfolk in Grenada cannot wait until 2028!
Recommendations
Having made an assessment on the sidelines, since I am not involved in the public administration of the fisheries sector in any way, I now submit a few suggestions.
First of all, I will proffer that this crisis affords us the opportunity to put structures in place — once and for all — to transform the fisheries sector. In other words, the focus cannot only be on getting the ban overturned, but also to ensure that going forward we will never have to deal with that situation again and we can grow the sector in a sustainable way.
- Establish the Fisheries Advisory Committee pursuant to the act. This committee is non-existent now and it should not be based on political affiliation but on competence and skillset. It is suggested that it comprises marine biologist, maritime law expert, maritime environmental expert, expert and experienced fishermen, the CFO of course, and one or two other relevant technical people. It goes without saying that they should be paid like a board of directors and meet at least once a month at this time
- Short- to medium-term contracts to recently retired senior fisheries officers. As I understand it, the CFO himself is on contract and he should readily admit that he alone cannot address the technical work that needs to be done in the short term. There is a serious lack of capacity at this time and these contracted experts should be given specific tasks with strict timelines to deliver
- Recruitment and training of personnel in medium and long-term courses to address the capacity crisis and a succession plan put in place to replace the contracted technocrats. It goes without saying that the fisheries division needs to be adequately staffed
Specifically, the following suggestions need to be taken into consideration to overturn the ban on fish exported from Grenada into the US. This, of course, is not intended to be an exhaustive list.
- Strengthen reporting mechanisms and deliver documents on a timely basis to local, regional and international organisations and fisheries authorities
- Update and amend fisheries legislation
- Legislate Beach Seine fishery
- Legislate the FAD fishery
- Mandatory collection of all fisheries data (catch, effort, and unintentional catch)
- Introduce log books on longline vessels
- Improve monitoring and report on incidental catch, illegal harvesting
- Strengthen enforcement and fisheries management
- Conduct scientific research
- Apply moratorium as a management tool to protect endangered species
- Amend legislation on harvesting of sea turtles
Conclusion
I noticed that there are presently sensitisation meetings with the fisherfolk across the country; it’s a step in the right direction. However, this must be followed up with consultation sessions. The difference being that you can only consult when the people you are consulting are knowledgeable about the situation. I always chuckle when I see “consultation’’ in progress. Most times, the people consulted do not understand the subject they are expected to offer suggestions on.
To manage the fisheries sector effectively, there must be credible data collection, so that sound policies and decisions can be made. The reason is that you are managing something that you cannot see and have no control over. Thus, your decision can only be guided by data, very much unlike Agriculture, where you plant the crops and you can observe it in real time.
Data is raw facts, while the information is the processed data. Thus, the fishermen and women will provide the data that will be processed by the technical people, and the extension unit will then provide the fishermen with the information.
The minister with responsibility for fisheries, in one of his post-election statements, correctly pointed out that government is a continuum. So that he, of all persons, understands that this ban came under his watch and he must bear ministerial responsibility as he would want to take ministerial credit if, and when, this matter is resolved. Blaming who went before, after 3 years, offends respectable intellect.
He is now given a bigger mandate to be the first Minister of Maritime Affairs and if it is he cannot get one of the most important maritime sectors right, then it may very well be that he is only, “spinning top in mud”.
Arley Salimbi Gill holds a Master’s in International Maritime law and was a Commissioner in the Maritime Boundary Delimitation Commission between Grenada and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
