Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has paid tribute to Chief Fisheries Officer Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox, describing her sudden passing as a profound loss for Barbados and the fisheries sector.

Dr. Cox died on Saturday afternoon after collapsing during an open day event at the Weston Fish Market in St. James.

In a statement, the Prime Minister said the news carried a level of pain that went beyond the “sting of death”, noting that Dr. Cox had dedicated her life and career to improving the lives of fisherfolk across the island.