The SeaMoss Association of St. Vincent & the Grenadines (SMASVG) has announced the implementation of the third phase of its project, Rebuilding Infrastructure and Recovery Support in the Aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
This initiative, funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), addresses the urgent needs of 10 women in the sea moss industry.
These women, representing cultivators, harvesters, and value-added producers, saw their livelihoods devastated by Hurricane Beryl, which left significant economic and infrastructural challenges in its wake on July 1, 2024.
On Sept. 8, 2024, SMASVG distributed essential equipment and supplies to women from Union Island, Canouan, and Bequia, enabling them to rebuild and sustain their sea moss businesses.
The project’s impact reached women across three islands with tailored assistance provided based on their specific roles in the sea moss value chain.
In Union Island, five women received critical tools and equipment. Four cultivators — Masani Defreitas, Ann Harvey, Hulda Tash, and Phillisicia Dember — were provided with supplies such as ropes, scales, buoys, harvesting bags, scuba gear, and other essentials needed to rebuild their sea moss plots.
Additionally, Vanessa Walters, a value-added producer, received specialised resources, including a blender, juice buckets, a cooler on wheels, packaging materials, and labels to enhance her production and marketing efforts.
In Canouan, two cultivators, Shavorn Stephens and Lorna Bacchus, were equipped with essential resources to rebuild their operations, ensuring they can return to productive and sustainable farming practices.
In Bequia, two farmers Ronita Ollivierre and Nadia Hazell and value-added producer Marslyn Lewis were provided with customised tools and materials to restore and strengthen their roles in the sea moss industry, supporting both cultivation and product development.
“I feel so happy! I just want to go and test out my supplies right now,” Dember said and expressed gratitude to SMASVG and the Government of Canada for their invaluable support to the sea moss industry.
Meanwhile, Masani DeFreitas, another beneficiary, said she was grateful because buying ropes and diving gear is very expensive.
“Sourcing the ropes and a scale would have been a major challenge since the scale isn’t even sold here. I deeply appreciate this support. I pray that we, as women entrepreneurs, can continue thriving in what we are doing,” DeFreitas said.
“I want to give thanks to the Canadian Government for sponsoring this initiative and to the SeaMoss Association for their efforts. After Hurricane Beryl, we lost everything, and this help has made a world of difference. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
In alignment with SMASVG’s commitment to sustainable practices, water quality testing will be conducted across all farming areas in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries.
This essential step ensures that farming environments meet safety and environmental standards, fostering long-term viability for sea moss cultivation in the Grenadines.
The project also emphasised holistic recovery, going beyond material assistance to address broader challenges.
Key components included:
• Mental health support offered by Temora Garnes-DaSilva, in collaboration with the National Commission on Crime Prevention SVG, to help beneficiaries cope with the emotional impacts of Hurricane Beryl.
• Skills training offered in collaboration with the Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED) to enhance technical and operational expertise.
• Accounting and record-keeping tools in collaboration with the CED, including production and best manufacturing logs, accounting templates, and business management resources, to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
• Entrepreneurial development to build robust business acumen and improve market access.
• Business support aided beneficiaries with unregistered businesses in the formal registration of their sea moss enterprises. They also benefited with business mentoring which included product development, good manufacturing practices, label development and skills training.
“This initiative underscores the power of collaborative action. SMASVG extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Canada for their generous funding and to the Ministry of Fisheries for their invaluable technical support,” a press release said.
“These partnerships have been instrumental in rebuilding livelihoods, empowering women, and fostering resilience in St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ burgeoning sea moss industry.
“Through this initiative, we aim to equip our members with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to improve the quality of their products, access external markets, and create a more sustainable future for the sea moss industry,” the press release quoted an unnamed a representative of SMASVG as saying.
“SMASVG remains steadfast in its mission to foster innovation, sustainability, and empowerment within the sea moss sector. This initiative represents a critical step forward in ensuring the future prosperity of the industry and the communities it supports. By addressing immediate needs and laying the foundation for long-term growth, SMASVG continues to play a transformative role in shaping a brighter, more sustainable future for its members and the broader economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” the release said.