Climate change blamed for reducing fish population
President of the National Fisherfolks Organisation, Winsbert Harry, has identified climate change as having a negative impact on the fishing industry in St Vincent and the Grenadines,including a reducing fish stock. Harry spoke to SEARCHLIGHT on Monday, April 4, 2026 about the mounting difficulties affecting the fishing industry, pointing as well to the rising cost of fish as an offshoot of the broader impacts of climate change.
He said this year has seen a noticeable decline in fish populations including species such as tuna, kingfish, and dolphins, which has directly affected both supply and livelihoods.
Beyond declining fish stocks, Harry said fisherfolk are also grappling with environmental obstacles that make their work increasingly difficult. He pointed to the persistent problem of the sargassum seaweed which continues to disrupt fishing operations.
“We cannot harvest the fish, our lines are getting tangled. Fishers are losing engine prop and we are not seeing the species that we used to see before,” he explained, pointing out that these challenges not only reduce efficiency but also increase operational risks and costs.
Additionally, Harry highlighted the impact of the Sahara dust which affects visibility at sea, further complicating navigation and their fishing efforts. Combined with changing tidal patterns and increased competition within the industry, Harry said these factors contribute to an increasingly uncertain and demanding environment for fisherfolk.
Click here to subscribe to read the full article in the E-paper!
Comments
