There is hope for the revival of the Oistins Fish Festival, and Member of Parliament for Christ Church South, Dr Shantal Munro-Knight, says that under her watch it will not just survive but thrive.
Oistins residents, vendors and others keen to see the town grow turned out on Thursday evening for the first town hall meeting on the festival.
Also present were officers attached to the Oistins Police Station, who committed to maintaining a safe environment for residents and visitors.
Held in the car park of the Berinda Cox Fish Market, many came ready to give input and suggestions to an observant panel, including Chairman of the Oistins Bay Garden Board, Kemar Harris, and Minister Munro-Knight.
With the Oistins Fish Festival marking 50 years in 2027, Minister Munro-Knight said she will work with her team to address valid concerns.
“One of the things that the vendors are asking for is greater recognition. We heard that they want some of the people who started the festival to be honoured and recognised. We heard from the fisherfolk themselves [that] it has to be grounded within the fisherfolk community because they also want to have a say,” the Agriculture Minister said, adding that for her that was “low-hanging fruit”.
Meanwhile, vendor Sue Ann Gilkes-Smith called for the festival to have a continuous road lined with vendors, instead of fragmented sections.
She said older patrons must also feel safe to return.
“We need to bring back the mature people that spend their money in the festival because people are scared and need to be comfortable to come back out,” she said.
Chairman Harris explained why the town hall meetings are critical.
“The Minister has mandated the town hall meetings because we have recognised a breakdown in the festival, and what leads to breakdowns is a lack of communication,” he said, addressing those gathered.
“Over the years, people have been complaining, so there will be a series of these meetings to hear you, see you and feel you. Consultation is paramount, and this MP believes in that, so when consultations stop, you cannot say no stone has been left unturned,” he added.
Deputy Chairman of the Oistins Bay Garden Board, Edwin Warner, said more must be done to improve the area.
“The boatyard needs a clean-up so that stalls can be placed there,” he said.
Looking to the wider Caribbean, Warner, proprietor of food stall Crazy Eddies, said there should be a regional approach.
“As a fish festival, we must remember there are fishing villages across Barbados – Paynes Bay, Six Men’s and Martin’s Bay. You need to invite these people. We should also invite our Caribbean neighbours like St Lucia and Grenada. Don’t they have fisherfolk too?”
He also criticised organisers of the last festival held over the Easter weekend, saying the Oistins Bay Garden Board should play a greater role.
“The last festival was a joke. I was in Oistins throughout, and someone told me the Monday was good, it was not. It was one of the worst Mondays in a long time. The last committee became stagnant after running it for years and brought in whoever they could. They never consulted the people in the Bay Garden to come on board and give ideas. We are tired now. The people at Oistins Bay Garden are there 24/7,” he said.
Chairman Harris said the town hall meetings would continue, with a focus on supporting vendors.
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