BECT-ER Letter: Holiday Special 2024

Happy Holidays!

As 2024 ends, BECT celebrates a year of resilience, growth, and impactful change. With your support, we’ve advanced inspiring projects, forged exciting partnerships, and driven transformative progress. Congratulations to our teams and partners—we’re honored to stand with you.

 

We hope you enjoy this newsletter, and wish you holiday cheer and a joyful, successful 2025.

DigiFish Continues to Make Waves

BECT continues to support DigiFish towards the advancement sustainable fisheries management in its third year through the development of catch per unit effort (CPUE) maps using project data. The methodology for developing catch per unit effort (CPUE) maps has been identified, with increased data collection in progress. Data collectors have been onboarded, and CPUE maps for 2022-2024 are under development, while stakeholder consultations with the CZMU are informing marine spatial planning (MSP).

The analysis of CPUE maps will highlight priority fishing areas and expand the national ‘catch’ dataset to visualise and manage fish stock more sustainably across correlating fishing activities. Over the next year, DigiFish will continue to contribute to the Barbados Marine Spatial Plan, and provide industry insights through increased transparency and traceability.

BECT extends thanks to its donor, Edmiston Yachts, and its Partners, for their continued support of this project!

CESaRE Voices Podcast – A Voice for the Region

The Journal of Caribbean Environmental Science and Renewable Energy (CESaRE) is bringing you closer to the latest innovative environmental research across the region with the leading academics and industry experts of our time through the CESaRE Voices Podcast.

These episodes are brought to you by BECT funding and support.

Catch this season’s episodes on all podcast platforms HERE!

Long Pond Wetland Restoration Action Plan Underway

BECT is proud to support the remarkable strides in the Long Pond Wetland Restoration efforts with the WIRRED team and Mosaic EcoConsulting.

With 17 unique habitat zones now identified, and over 100 plant and animal species under active monitoring, this initiative is fostering significant ecological insights. To support these efforts, five designated research plots have been established, facilitating critical data collection and analysis.

Notably, the wetland remains the only site in Barbados to host Black mangroves, with an impressive 200% growth across all mangrove species, including Red and White mangroves. The project has also engaged stakeholders through multiple workshops, leading to the proposal of
30 innovative area management solutions. These efforts culminated in the presentation of a
Draft Long Pond Wetland Restoration Action Plan, a blueprint for sustainable recovery and long-term management of this vital ecosystem.

Farm-Able Gearing Up for Phase 2!

Consultations with Participating Learning Centres: Consultation sessions have been conducted at each participating learning centre with teaching staff and management, our implementing partners at IICA, and BECT, for planning of training sessions ahead of the upcoming school term.

 

School-based Enterprises to be established for Sustainability: Each learning Centre will set up a school-based enterprise whereby more than 50 students will continue to learn and apply sustainable farming techniques as well as entrepreneurial skills to establish an agribusiness.

 

Thanks to our donor, Scotiabank (Barbados) Limited!

Sea Turtle Conservation

The Barbados Sea Turtle Project continues its committed efforts, handling over calls on its 24-hour Sea Turtle Rescue Hotline, facilitating emergency rescues and mitigating the impact of Hurricane Beryl on nesting turtles and incubating eggs.

Advisory support was also provided to government agencies, hotels, and villas to enhance habitat protection, focusing on turtle-friendly lighting, beach obstructions, and sand renourishment. Additionally, awareness was raised through school outreach programmes, emphasising the importance of sea turtle conservation.

Thanks to our donors for their continued support of this incredible work.

JOIN US!

In 2025, we look forward to growing and accelerating our support to local environmental initiatives.

How You Can Help

Donate: Your time, service and financial contributions make a difference.

Spread the Word: Share our mission with your network to amplify our impact!

Have a query? Contact us at support@barbadosenvironment.org