Shelly-Ann Cox named new Barbados' chief fisheries officer

Shelly-Ann Cox, Barbados' new Chief Fisheries Officer.

Shelly-Ann Cox was named Barbados' chief fisheries officer on 3 January, 2023.

Cox brings industry experience as an ocean expert and fisheries management specialist. She has a doctorate in natural resource management from The University of the West Indies.

Cox has outlined a five-pronged vision for the industry, with the goal of increasing its visibility across the Barbadian public. She is also aiming to increase the application of technology in the country's fisheries management systems.

“A lot of rollout in the next few months, you will see are data collectors with tablets. You will see us using the technologies, like WhatsApp. We hope to be on social media and to use these technologies to improve efficiency, and then inform data-driven solutions,” Cox said.

In a recent interview with the Barbados Government Information Service, Cox said as the country's fishing industry has evolved, the number of job opportunities that exist in the fishing industry aside from fishing have evolved with it. 

“There is boat building, marine mechanics, large fish processors, sports fishers, which take out people on charters," Cox said. "So, it is beyond just viewing it as an old fisherman going out on a little boat.”

Cox is encouraging young people, especially women, to get involved in Barbados’ fishing industry and wants to apply an “all hands-on deck” approach to her leadership.

Photo courtesy of Shelly-Ann Cox/LinkedIn

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