Representatives of the local and regional fishing industry are expressing shock following the sudden death of Chief Fisheries Officer Dr Shelly-Ann Cox, the youngest and first woman to lead the local fisheries sector.
Dr Cox collapsed on stage while preparing to present awards at an event at the Weston Fish Market on Saturday. Despite immediate CPR assistance from ex-military personnel on site, she later passed away.
President of the Black Fin Fleet Co-op Society Moonesh Dharampaul expressed the profound grief gripping the 6 000-strong industry. He noted her deep, personal connection to the community as a “daughter of the sea” whose father was a fisherman.
“We are so saddened at this time that we’re still in disbelief. It was more than a job to her… she showed that passion as well,” Dharampaul said. “She changed the face of how fisheries interacted with the Barbadian public.”
The co-op facilitated a tour of the Fisheries Division for members of the St Stephen’s Brownie Troop on Saturday. Dr Cox was with them prior to her death at the event in Weston.
Her tenure was said to have been marked by immense challenges, including navigating the industry through the devastation of Hurricane Beryl.
Despite her brief time in office, she engaged directly with major international entities like the World Bank and the IDB, leaving a lasting impact across the Caribbean and as far as Argentina.
In her honour, upcoming Fisherman’s Month events are being transformed into memorials, with reports indicating that industry leaders are planning a large funeral and a candlelit vigil at sea.
“We want to dedicate all the other events that have to happen for the Fisherman’s Month… as a memorial to Dr Cox and how she lived,” Dharampaul stated, adding a final tribute to her legacy: “We wish her calm seas and tight lines that she made her final journey.”
Meantime, the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Secretariat issued a statement on Sunday in which it said the expertise, leadership, and commitment of Dr Cox earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues across the Caribbean region and beyond.
CRFM Executive Director Dr Marc Williams said her contributions extended well beyond the shores of Barbados.
“Through her active engagement in regional initiatives and collaboration with the CRFM and other partner organisations, she helped to shape policies and programmes that have strengthened fisheries governance, enhanced food and nutrition security, and supported the livelihoods of thousands of fisherfolk and fish workers across the Caribbean.
“Shelly-Ann’s voice was valued in regional discussions, and her dedication to the sustainable development of the fisheries sector leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit future generations.”
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