Shelly-Ann Cox

Shelly-Ann Cox
Chief Fisheries Officer of Barbados
In office
3 January 2023 – 13 June 2026
Personal details
Born1988
Died13 June 2026 (aged 38)
EducationUniversity of the West Indies

Shelly-Ann Latoya Cox (1988 – 13 June 2026) was a Barbadian scientist and civil servant who served as Chief Fisheries Officer of Barbados from 2023 until her death. During her tenure she oversaw the industry recovery following Hurricane Beryl.[1]

Career

Dr. Cox worked as an ocean professional and specialist in fisheries management.[2] Cox was the founder and CEO of Blue Shell Productions, an organisation involved in ocean development.[3] She worked at the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) of the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill.[4] She was considered a significant member of the fisheries community.[5]

In January 2023, Cox became Chief Fisheries Officer.[6] The role involves advising the Ministry of Environment and the Green and Blue Economy.[7] The role of the officer is to support the fisheries community.[8] She was the youngest person to have held the role.[9] She was also the second woman in the Caribbean to hold an equivalent title.[10] In the role she was tasked with modernising the fishing industry of Barbados.[11] One ambitious target of hers was for Barbados to achieve zero fish waste by 2028.[12] Cox aimed to increase the sector from 0.07% of GDP to 5% within a decade.[13] This required the high tech transformation of the sector using new technology.[14]

Cox announced plans to encourage more young people into the fisheries industry.[15] She was involved in the development of fisheries policy and promoting sustainable aquatic food systems.[16] Cox promoted legislation including the Fish Management Bill and the Seafood Bill in order to grow the blue economy.[17] This involved issues such as digitization and the energy transition.[18] She was noted for the recovery of the fishing industry following Hurricane Beryl.[19][20] The storm involved damage to property including boats and a fall in fish prices.[1][21] The recovery involved working with the United Nations Development Programme and the Government of Japan to launch the Barbados Coastal Fisheries Resilience Project.[22] A role of Dockmaster was created for the Fisheries Division of the ministry.[23]

Personal life

Cox had a doctorate in natural resource management from the University of the West Indies.[24] Cox was the mother of one son.[25]

Death

On 13 June 2026, Cox collapsed and was taken to hospital where she later died.[25] She was 38.[26] She had been presenting an award at an event at Weston Fish Market at the time.[27] Tributes were made including from Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley and Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw.[28][29] In the industry the Barbados National Union of Fisherfolk Organisations (BARNUFO) and the Central Fish Processors Association (CFPA) also paid tribute.[30] A memorial procession was held at sea.[31] Her funeral was held on 13 July 2026 at the Wildey Gymnasium.[3] The Prime Minister spoke, saying "her life was short but her contribution was not small, it was great".[9]

References

  1. 1 2 Blunt, Shamar (2025-08-29). "Fishing industry 80 per cent recovered from 'Beryl', says fisheries chief". Barbados Today. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  2. ↑ Today, Barbados (2023-01-11). "New Chief Fisheries Officer has big plans for industry". Barbados Today. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  3. 1 2 "In Loving Memory of Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox | Lyndhurst Barbados". 2026-07-10. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  4. ↑ "IN MEMORIAM: DR SHELLY-ANN COX - News and Events - The University of the West Indies at Cave Hill". University of the West Indies. 2026-06-25. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  5. ↑ "Fishermen, Vendors and Staff Remember Dr. Cox as Kind, Caring and Professional". starcomnetwork. June 15, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Official funeral for Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox". Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation. 2026-06-30. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  7. ↑ "Authorities seek to chart sustainable future for fishing sector". Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation. 2025-06-18. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  8. ↑ "Hilton joint venture to raise $100K for fisherfolk community". Barbados Today. 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  9. 1 2 Graham, Lourianne (2026-07-14). "Final farewell to 'visionary' fisheries chief Cox". Barbados Today. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  10. ↑ Escamilla, Lauryn (2026-07-12). "Mourners pay respects to late Chief Fisheries Officer Dr Shelly-Ann Cox". Barbados Today. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  11. ↑ Blunt, Shamar (2026-06-17). "Chief Fisheries Officer Cox remembered for service to fishing communities". Barbados Today. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  12. ↑ "FAO Pays Moving Tribute to Barbados Chief Fisheries Officer Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox, Hailing Her as a Visionary Champion of Caribbean Fisheries Transformation". Times Caribbean Online. June 17, 2026. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  13. ↑ "The Future of Fishing in Barbados". www.businessbarbados.com. January 11, 2023. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  14. ↑ Roberts, Ricardo (2026-03-28). "'High-tech' fishing: Fisheries agency plots digital, inclusive transformation". Barbados Today. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  15. ↑ "Plans to entice youth into fisheries sector". Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation. 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  16. ↑ "Statement on the passing of Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox, Barbados' Chief Fisheries Officer By The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)". easterncaribbean.un.org. 17 June 2026. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  17. ↑ Blunt, Shamar (2025-03-22). "New laws to create fisheries institute, transform industry". Barbados Today. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  18. ↑ Graham, Lourianne (2025-12-05). "Fisheries officials call for better data to drive energy transition". Barbados Today. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  19. ↑ Roberts, Ricardo (2026-06-14). "Caribbean fishing industry in mourning after death of Chief Fisheries Officer". Barbados Today. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  20. ↑ Graham, Lourianne (2025-07-23). "Fishing industry bouncing back from Beryl". Barbados Today. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  21. ↑ Moore, Shanna (2025-06-12). "Cox: Relocation plan for fishing vessels". Barbados Today. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  22. ↑ "Barbados to Boost Resilience of Fishing Sector with Support from the Government of Japan and UNDP". UNDP. 14 April 2025. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  23. ↑ "Historic Dockmaster role introduced at Fisheries Division". starcomnetwork. May 23, 2025.
  24. ↑ Scalia-Bruce, Bhavana (January 17, 2023). "Shelly-Ann Cox named new Barbados' chief fisheries officer". www.seafoodsource.com. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  25. 1 2 Roberts, Ricardo (2026-06-14). "Chief Fisheries Officer Dr Shelly-Ann Cox passes away". Barbados Today. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  26. ↑ "Official funeral for Chief Fisheries Officer, Dr. Shelly-Ann Latoya Cox". nationnews.com. 2026-06-29. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  27. ↑ Clarke, Sherrylyn (2026-06-14). "Chief Fisheries Officer Dr Shelly-Ann Cox passes away". nationnews.com. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  28. ↑ "Prime Minister Mottley Pays Tribute To Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox". Government of Barbados. June 13, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Bradshaw pays tribute to late Chief Fisheries Officer Dr Shelly-Ann Cox". Barbados Today. 2026-06-14. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  30. ↑ "BARNUFO, CFPA pay tribute to Dr Shelly-Ann Cox". Barbados Today. 2026-06-16. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  31. ↑ Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (2026-07-21). Dr Shelly-Ann Cox honoured with final journey at sea. Retrieved 2026-08-01 – via YouTube.
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