Digitizing the Vessel Inspection Process in Barbados

Adriel Jackman¹, Shelly-Ann Cox¹, Derrick Theophille², Khyle Pooler¹, and Seymour Nurse¹

Fisheries Division, Bridgetown, Barbados¹

Fisheries Division, Roseau, Dominica²

Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ABSTRACT

Barbados is known the world over for unique vessel designs that promote a rich fishing culture. In 2022, the registered fishing fleet was estimated at 1,156 vessels which range from small open rowboats (less than 6m) that fish at nearshore reefs, to well-equipped inboard-engine powered longliners (over 22m) that target tunas and swordfish as far as 200 miles offshore and beyond. The vessel inspectorate maintains a vessel registry and conducts inspections to determine compliance with prescribed safety standards and guidelines. In recent years, an average of 150 inspections are completed every quarter using hard copy forms that provide a checklist to ensure that vessels are seaworthy and outfitted with the required machinery and equipment. The inspection form includes several data fields that require a tedious data entry process and manual reporting. Ultimately, this gives an opportunity to review the inspection process and create an electronic form to support a new era of digital transformation. A recent collaboration with the Fisheries Division of Dominica supported the digitization and improvement of the vessel inspection form using KoboToolbox. This platform supports powerful and intuitive data collection tools to support an expedited process of inspection. The e-form integrates pick lists to support efficient data collection, validation to ensure that the data collected is appropriate, and skip logic which enables the inspector to focus on the requirements for that specific scenario. In addition, it allows for many types of information to be captured, including photos and videos which are automatically linked to the traditional text and numeric data. The time between data collection and data availability for review, analysis and reporting is significantly reduced. Further developments include testing the interoperability with the vessel registry and the creation of R statistical programming scripts to support efficient and standardised data analysis and the automation of reports.

HOW TO CITE: Jackman, A., S-A. Cox, D. Theophille, K. Pooler and S. Nurse, 2026. Digitizing the Vessel Inspection Process in Barbados. Contribution 3.10, p203-210 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume I: Technical Papers. Presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=915

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DIGIFISH: Data Driven Solutions to Inform Decision Making

Richéda Speede¹*, Shelly-Ann Cox²*, Vernel Nicholls³, Veta Wade⁴, Jen Cole⁴, Ché Greenidge⁵, Juan Carlos Marti⁶, Kelvin Carter⁷, Adriel Jackman²; Corresponding author*: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Blue Shell Productions¹; Fisheries Division, Bridgetown, Barbados²; Barbados National Union of Fisherfolk Organisation (BARNUFO)³; Pelagic Data Systems⁴; Barbados Environmental Conservation Trust⁵; Remora Fishing Traceability⁶; Mr. Fish Inc⁷

ABSTRACT

DigiFish aims to promote the use of digital technologies and innovative data analytical methods to support the application of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) in Barbados. Phase 1 of DigiFish is being implemented by Barbados National Union of Fisherfolk Organisations (BARNUFO) and Blue Shell Productions in collaboration with the Barbados Environmental Conservation Trust and Pelagic Data Systems (PDS). This initiative piloted the installation of 30 PDS vessel tracking devices on small-scale vessels in Barbados to illustrate how fishing effort changes through space and time. The pilot demonstrates how vessel tracking systems can be used to make informed decisions about how fisheries can be best managed to balance diverse societal and environmental objectives while improving livelihoods. It also aims to foster productive partnerships between industry stakeholders, the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU) and Barbados Coast Guard (BCG) in applying integrated data solutions to support fisheries management and MSP. This pilot is now being replicated in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Phase 2 of DigiFish aims to address the fragmentation of seafood value chains and promote traceability by transforming landing sites into intelligent spaces. The project seeks to pilot the installation of 40 Remora Vessel Monitoring Devices (VMS) aboard longline vessels and station two Smart Scales in the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex. The data intelligence and visualization platform will compile the data collected to determine catch location, calculate fishing effort, analyze landings, and begin the traceability certification process. These same data are also relevant for eco-labels related to the premium growing market of responsibly-caught fish. This phase is being implemented by Blue Shell Productions in collaboration with Remora Fishing Traceability and Mr. Fish Inc. In this paper, we provide an overview of the initiative, present a data analytics summary, and offer recommendations for sustaining and scaling up this initiative across the Caribbean.

HOW TO CITE: Speede, R., S-A. Cox, V. Nicholls, V. Wade, J. Cole, C. Greenidge, J. C. Marti, K. Carter, and A. Jackman, 2026. DIGIFISH: Data Driven Solutions to Inform Decision Making. Contribution 3.6, p159-171 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume I: Technical Papers. Presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=911