Barbuda Ocean Festival & Fishing Tournament
By Brent Simon
My journey to Barbuda for this year’s Ocean Festival and Fishing Tournament began early on Saturday, November 15th, with a smooth crossing aboard the Coast Guard vessel. The sea was unusually calm—flat, bright, and welcoming—making the trip feel more like a quiet drive on an open highway than a voyage between islands. By the time we entered Codrington Lagoon and approached the Barbuda Fisheries Complex, the event’s energy was already taking shape. The dock was decorated with vibrant colours, instantly setting the tone for a full day of activity.
Although the festival was scheduled to begin at noon, music was already filling the air when I arrived around 10 a.m., thanks to the DJ who kept the atmosphere lively from morning straight through to sunset. Vendors were setting up, familiar faces were reconnecting, and the scene was steadily building toward a festive rhythm.
My first stop after the official opening was the Ocean Fest T-shirt booth, followed by the Ocean Conservation Tent—one of the standout educational features of the day. Young visitors were fully engaged, learning about sea creatures and coastal ecosystems through games, models, and interactive displays.
Across the grounds, food stalls offered an impressive range of seafood. Shellfish, lobster, crayfish, octopus, shrimp, sea louse, and more were prepared in various styles, alongside familiar comfort foods like burgers. The aroma alone guided visitors from booth to booth.
Throughout the afternoon, the crowd mingled, played dominoes, and enjoyed the music while waiting for the fishermen to return. The competing vessels had departed early that morning and were expected back around 4 p.m., creating a relaxed yet anticipatory atmosphere along the shoreline.
There were multiple quizzes throughout the day and even a beer-drinking competition, but the two major highlights were the cooking competition and the weighing of the day’s catch.
Five culinary teams participated in the cooking showdown, each receiving a mystery meat drawn from a bag-lottery system. Once they selected their proteins, the cooks moved briskly to their stations, racing against the clock to prepare and plate their dishes. A panel of three judges evaluated the meals, and at the end of the tasting, the winner proudly walked away with a cash prize of $2,500 ECD.
Fishing Tournament Results
Most Barracuda Over 10 lbs
Vessel: Lady Lavorn
Captain: Mohinda Walbrook
Total: 2 barracuda over 10 lbs
Biggest Barracuda
Vessel: Lady Lavorn
Captain: Mohinda Walbrook
Weight: 21.91 lbs
Biggest Kingfish
Vessel: Lashoya
Captain: Leeva Webber
Weight: 16.35 lbs
Most Fish Caught Over 10 lbs
Vessel: Cowboy
Captain: Shiraz Hopkins
Catch: 3 wahoo
Most Weight Overall
Vessel: Cowboy
Captain: Shiraz Hopkins
Total Weight: 68.01 lbs
Biggest Fish Caught
Vessel: MiMi
Captain: Ronnix Nedd
(Weight confirmed as the day’s largest individual fish)
When the fishing boats finally returned, attention shifted to the scale. The weighing of the catch drew a large, eager crowd, and celebrations peaked when the heaviest fish of the day—a 68-pound wahoo—was hoisted up, earning loud cheers, flashing cameras, and lively commentary from onlookers.
There was also a solemn moment of reflection as the community paused to honour those lost at sea. In a gesture toward improving maritime safety, a batch of handheld VHF radios was donated to local fishermen to support safer communication while on the water.
Overall, the festival blended community spirit, marine education, culinary artistry, and friendly competition. It was a vibrant day by the water—one that highlighted Barbuda’s culture, creativity, and longstanding relationship with the sea.