LocationsBARNUFO Improving Operational Efficiency with UNDP Support
November 25, 2025
BARNUFO President, Vernel Nicholls (4th left), and other members of the BARNUFO Executive accept the office furniture, equipment and supplies secured through the Barbados Coastal Fisheries Resilience Project from UNDP Resident Representative, Limya Eltayeb (6th left). ). Also present for the handover was Chief Fisheries Officer, Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox (5th right), Economic Cooperation Officer at the Embassy of Japan in Barbados, Tia Headley (2nd right) and Fisheries Data Analyst, Kyle Foster; Economic Cooperation Officer at the Embassy of Japan, Tia Headley; UNDP Cluster Lead – Prevention, Recovery and Resilience, Elizabeth Charles-Soomer; UNDP Project Coordinator, Kareitha Gill; and UNDP Project Associate, LeAundre Knight.
Bridgetown, Barbados – The Barbados National Union of Fisherfolk Organisations (BARNUFO) is better equipped to serve its membership, following the handover of office furniture and equipment by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on World Fisheries Day (November 21).
This initiative aimed at enhancing BARNUFO’s operational efficiency forms part of the Barbados Coastal Fisheries Resilience (BCFR) Project, which is funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP in collaboration with the Barbados Fisheries Division.
This first tranche of items included furniture, audiovisual equipment and other office supplies, with additional items to be delivered in the coming weeks. The brief presentation took place at BARNUFO’s offices at Pelican House, Bridgetown, with the participation of representatives from BARNUFO, the Embassy of Japan, the Barbados Fisheries Division, and UNDP.
BARNUFO President, Vernel Nicholls, highlighted the value of the intervention, saying: “BARNUFO is proud to have partnered with the Government of Japan, UNDP, and the Government of Barbados in receiving our new office equipment. This will strengthen BARNUFO and our member organizations, providing a comfortable environment for the Executive to work, as well as conducting more effective training programmes. We are deeply grateful for this sponsorship and look forward to continuing the partnerships and linkages that have been formed.”
She noted that these partnerships are critical for taking the fishing industry to the next level. “After Beryl, we recognize that we can’t go back; we have to go forward with a bigger and a better fishing industry. We have to look at things differently. We have to talk about sustainable fishing; we have to talk about management – and those are the kinds of conversations that we’ll be having with our members as we go along.”
UNDP’s Resident Representative, Ms. Limya Eltayeb, emphasized UNDP’s commitment to bringing stakeholders together to ensure relevance and meaningful impact of its projects, saying, “Our aim is to open new pathways for everybody – collaborating, convening and creating partnerships.”
She added: “BARNUFO provides valuable support to fisherfolk who are the backbone of the fishing sector. Strengthening its capacity to respond to their members’ needs is critical and UNDP is grateful to the Government of Japan for their generous support in making this possible through the Barbados Coastal Fisheries Resilience Project. This handover is a tangible step toward ensuring that fisherfolk have the tools and resources needed to thrive in a changing climate.”
Economic Cooperation Officer at the Embassy of Japan in Barbados, Tia Headley, said, “The Government and people of Japan are pleased to extend support to the Barbadian fishing community through our partnership with UNDP. Fisheries is a sector in which Japan has consistently demonstrated global leadership in providing technical and financial assistance, and we were committed to responding to the needs of this industry following the severe impact of Hurricane Beryl. This initiative represents more than recovery, it embodies the principle of building back better by enhancing resilience, sustainability, and preparedness, ensuring that the fishing sector can withstand future challenges and continue to contribute to national development.”
Chief Fisheries Officer, Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox, expressed her support for the BCFR project, which she noted is undertaking several important activities to build capacity, reduce vulnerability and boost the climate resilience of the fisheries sector, including the procurement of a marine lift and ice machine for the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex. She said partnerships are key to achieving the goal of making the Barbados fisheries sector “world-class”, adding, “We commend BARNUFO and their executive and we look forward to seeing more engagement with the fisherfolk now that you’re fully equipped."
BARNUFO is the umbrella organization for the country’s multiple fisherfolk organizations, representing the interests of a sector that comprises some 8,800 people along the fisheries value chain. The BCFR project’s engagement with BARNUFO is part of a broader strategy to build resilience in the fisheries sector, which includes capacity-building programs, improved communication systems, and disaster preparedness planning.
About the Barbados Coastal Fisheries Resilience Project
The Barbados Coastal Fisheries Resilience (BCFR) project is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from the Government of Japan. The project supports Barbados’ recovery from the impact of Hurricane Beryl while building long-term resilience in the fisheries sector. By strengthening infrastructure, equipping fisherfolk, and providing training and equipment, the BCFR project aims to protect coastal livelihoods, enhance food security, and contribute to sustainable blue economy development. Learn more: go.undp.org/BCFR
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org/barbados or follow at @UNDPBarbadosEC.
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