Commonwealth _ For over three decades, Ndel Daniel has navigated Trinidad and Tobago’s territorial waters, witnessing a concerning decline in flying fish numbers. At the quayside of Buccoo, after a morning fishing venture, he attributes this drop to boats from Barbados and Venezuela encroaching upon Tobago’s waters. According to Daniel, the impact of a single Barbadian boat surpasses that of ten Tobago vessels due to what he deems unsustainable practices. He notes that Barbadian fishers freeze their catch at sea, returning only when their haul is substantial, particularly during the flying fish season from November to July. In contrast, Daniel emphasizes Tobago’s sustainable fishing methods, asserting they do not harm the fishing environment. This narrative echoes the rising chorus of grievances across Trinidad and Tobago, contributing to an enduring dispute spanning more than half a century. Starting in the 1970s, the countries-initiated negotiations covering oil, gas exploitation, territorial waters, and their expansive exclusive economic zones (EEZ).
In 1982, both countries, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. However, tensions persisted between them regarding fishing zones until they inked a Fishing Agreement in 1990. This accord aimed to regulate fishing in Tobago’s territorial waters, setting limits on authorized fishing boats, the number of trips per season, and imposing fees per vessel. Unfortunately, Barbados opted not to renew the agreement after its first year, citing misalignment with its interests. This dispute, as described by Farley Augustine, head of Tobago’s government, reflects a familial clash: “Teeth and tongue will clash because they are relatives living in the same house.” In the 2000s, the fishing issues between the two nations escalated as the migration patterns of flying fish changed, potentially due to rising water temperatures caused by the climate crisis, as suggested by researchers. Previously abundant around Barbados, these shoals of flying fish began moving hundreds of miles southward, entering Tobago’s waters. The incursion of Barbadian fishing boats into Tobago’s waters, driven by the pursuit of flying fish, triggered a series of conflicts with the local fishers who were competing for the same valuable catch. Flying fish play a crucial role in the ecosystem, particularly in the pursuit of larger pelagic species such as king mackerel, marlin, and tuna. The decline in flying fish populations had a cascading effect, impacting the abundance of these lucrative species and subsequently diminishing the overall catch for Tobago’s fishing communities.
As flying fish are a vital part of the food chain, their scarcity disrupted the natural balance and availability of prey for larger predatory species. This, in turn, had a profound impact on the livelihoods of local fishers who heavily relied on the successful catch of these pelagic species for their economic sustenance. The diminishing numbers of king mackerel, marlin, and tuna not only affected the quantity of the catch but also the economic viability of the fishing industry in Tobago.
The decline in earnings for Tobago’s fishing communities was a direct consequence of the reduced catch of these economically significant species. The economic hardships faced by the local fishers were exacerbated by the increased competition with Barbadian fishing boats, which further strained the available resources and fishing grounds. This situation not only threatened the economic stability of individual fishers but also had broader implications for the entire fishing industry and related businesses in Tobago. Efforts to address these challenges likely involved a combination of local and regional strategies, such as implementing sustainable fishing practices, establishing protected areas, and engaging in diplomatic negotiations to enforce fishing boundaries. The need for collaborative measures aimed at preserving the delicate marine ecosystem and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the fishing industry would have been imperative in mitigating the negative impacts on Tobago’s fishing communities.
