On Sunday June 29th 2025, fisherfolk throughout Saint Lucia will converge to celebrate Fishermen’s Feast, which is also known locally as ‘Fete Peche’. It is a day of major significance to the fishing sector and the blue economy at large, as fisherfolk play a pivotal role in harnessing the economic potential of our marine and coastal environment. The Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project, under the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and the Youth Economy; would like to extend congratulations and best wishes to all fisherfolk in Saint Lucia, on their feast day. UBEC has been pleased to support the development of the local fishing industry, and on this momentous occasion of Fishermen’s Feast, reaffirms its commitment to building capacity and resilience in the sector, through both community-focused interventions and policy formulation.
In the weeks leading up to Fishermen’s Feast, the Department of Fisheries and UBEC have partnered to distribute safety grab bags to boat owners and boat captains, in an effort to increase overall safety at sea for fisherfolk. The distribution commenced on June 10th at the Dennery fish landing site and will culminate on July 2nd in the fishing village of Anse-la-Raye. It is well-known that fishing is one of the most dangerous professions. Therefore, it was determined that the best way to celebrate and honour hardworking fisherfolk, is to enhance their safety by providing a grab bag to each licenced boat owner. Each bag contains items such as a VHF marine radio, first aid kit, signal mirror, distress light and flag, sea anchor, batteries, and an emergency blanket. Several fisherfolk would have received the necessary training on the use of the safety equipment, through a Boat Masters Training Course facilitated by UBEC, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, and administered by the Marine Unit of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force.
Further support to the sector will include: the development of a coral reef fisheries management plan; the expansion of Marine Protection Area (MPA) legislation; the development of a life cycle maintenance plan for fish landing sites and the development of MFAD (Moored Fish Aggregating Device) legislation, to name a few. These initiatives will be rolled out over the next 2-3 years, with continued consultation and dialogue with fisherfolk, fishing cooperatives, and other key stakeholders.
Fisheries Project Liaison Officer of the UBEC Project, Dr. Marie-Louise Felix, provided a brief insight into the invaluable contribution of fisherfolk to the blue economy and other key industries. “Fishing is the main livelihood for over 3000 individuals in St. Lucia, who all contribute to 25% of the agricultural GDP. This is significant input to not just the agricultural sector, but also the tourism and marine sectors, which are integral components of the blue economy. Fisherfolk supply a variety of seafood to the general public, as well as to hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and other retailers; thereby enhancing the nation’s food security.”
“However, this livelihood is not without significant challenges, which include the unpredictability of weather conditions and patterns exasperated by climate change, the unforgiving nature of the seas which they navigate daily, and the decline in fish stocks due to environmental degradation. Despite these setbacks, fisherfolk generally remain dedicated to their livelihood, with the utmost integrity and passion. This is why UBEC is committed to providing the resources they require for short-term relief and long-term interventions which build capacity and resilience.”
Against this backdrop of making safety at sea a major priority, UBEC takes this opportunity to wish all fisherfolk a Happy Fishermen’s Feast! We celebrate your tenacity, bravery, and resilience. We are excited to continue to work with you to transform the sector in Saint Lucia for generations to come.