A nationwide emergency drill to move Barbados’ fishing fleet out of harm’s way has exposed the scale and urgency of hurricane preparedness, as the fisheries industry races to prevent a repeat of the losses caused by Hurricane Beryl in 2024.

The proactive measures come as the fishing fleet continues its steady recovery following Beryl, which severely crippled the island’s maritime infrastructure and decimated a significant portion of its seafaring vessels.

Dr Shelly Cox, chief fisheries officer, emphasised that the industry has taken an aggressive stance on disaster readiness, recognising that preparation must be a collaborative and highly synchronised effort.