Chief Fisheries Officer Dr Shelly-Ann Cox has passed away, sending shockwaves throughout the country.

Barbados TODAY understands that Dr Cox was attending a fishing event in Weston, St James, where she collapsed while presenting an award. Efforts were made to revive her at the scene before she was reportedly rushed to hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Dr Cox was appointed Chief Fisheries Officer in January 2023. At just 35 years old at the time, she was the youngest person to hold the position and the second woman in the region to do so.