Barbodes: Population And Conservation Efforts For Unique Fish Species

The Barbus barbus, or common barbel, is a species of freshwater fish native to northern and eastern Europe. It is distinguished by the four whisker-like structures at the corners of its mouth, which it uses to locate food. The barbel is an adaptable fish, able to survive in a range of habitats, and has been introduced to several countries outside its native range, including Scotland, Morocco, and Italy. The barbel population has declined sharply due to the construction of large reservoirs and pollution during the 20th century but has since stabilized.

Population density

The population of Barbuda is concentrated in the island's only village, Codrington, which is located on the western coast. Codrington is the largest town in Barbuda and has an estimated population of 1,300 people as of 2011. The village has experienced an influx of construction workers in recent years due to ongoing development projects, particularly on the south coast.

In comparison to other countries, the population density of Barbuda is quite low. For context, the country of Antigua and Barbuda, which includes both Antigua and Barbuda islands, has a total land area of 440 square kilometres (170 square miles) and a population of approximately 93,772 people as of 2024. This results in a population density of 213 people per square kilometre (552 people per square mile) for Antigua and Barbuda as a whole.

It is worth noting that Barbuda was struck by Hurricane Irma in 2017, which destroyed more than 90% of the island's buildings and led to the evacuation of the entire population to Antigua. However, by February 2019, most residents had returned to the island, and the population has continued to grow and recover since then.

Ethnic makeup

The population of Barbuda is ethnically diverse, with a mix of different cultural backgrounds. According to the 2011 census, the ethnic makeup of Barbuda was as follows:

• 95.11% of the population identified as African descendants, forming the majority.
• 2.88% of the population had Mixed Black and White heritage.
• 1.00% identified as having other mixed ethnicities.
• 0.44% were Hispanic.
• 0.13% were Caucasian/White.
• 0.13% were of East Indian origin.
• 0.13% were of Syrian or Lebanese descent.
• 0.06% did not specify their ethnicity.

The population of Barbuda is approximately 1,500, and almost all of them live in the island's only village, Codrington. The Barbudan community is well-travelled and has family ties across the globe, especially in the UK, the USA, and Canada. The island has a rich history, with early settlements dating back to 2,900-3,000 BC by Archaic Age people, followed by the Arawak and Kalinago peoples.

In terms of foreign-born residents, the 2011 census showed that 10.5% of the Barbudan population were born outside the country. The top five countries contributing to this were Guyana, Dominica, Jamaica, the United States, and the United States Virgin Islands. Additionally, a significant proportion of Barbudans live abroad, particularly in the UK, the US, and Canada.

Employment

The tourism industry also plays a crucial role in providing employment opportunities. With its pristine beaches, natural attractions, and unique wildlife, Barbuda attracts visitors seeking a peaceful and authentic Caribbean experience. The development of sustainable tourism practices and the recent construction boom, particularly on the south coast, have contributed to an increase in employment in the hospitality and construction sectors.

In addition to tourism and government, fishing is another important source of employment. Lobster catching is a significant industry on the island, and Barbudans also engage in low-impact fishing techniques to sustainably harvest seafood such as conch and other fish species.

It is worth noting that the population of Barbuda is relatively small, with approximately 1,634 residents as of the 2011 census. The island has experienced fluctuations in population due to the devastating impact of hurricanes, such as Hurricane Irma in 2017, which led to the evacuation of the entire population to Antigua. However, most residents have since returned to the island, and the Barbudan community remains strong and welcoming to visitors.

The Barbudan workforce consists of both paid employees and self-employed individuals. According to the 2011 census, 61.33% of workers were paid employees of the government, 21.83% were private employees, and 8.66% were self-employed without paid employees. The unemployment rate in Barbuda is relatively low, with 76.79% of the population employed, 2.83% seeking work, and the remainder being either unemployed or too young to enter the workforce.

Overall, employment in Barbuda is closely tied to the island's natural resources, history, and culture, with a diverse range of job opportunities available for its residents.

Health

The overall health of the population of Barbuda is the responsibility of the island's Public Health Department. The health of Barbudans is of particular interest given the small population size, which as of 2017 was around 1,634 people, though other sources place the figure at 1,500.

In 2011, the census reported the following health statistics for Barbuda:

• No cases of AIDS were documented.
• 10.75% of the population had allergies.
• 6.58% had asthma.
• 0.32% had cancer.
• 6.45% of the population had diabetes.
• No cases of HIV were reported.

In addition, 56.25% of the population is covered by a health insurance scheme, the highest amount in the nation.

In 2023, the life expectancy at birth in Antigua and Barbuda was 79.4 years, higher than the average for the Region of the Americas and 4.8 years higher than in 2000.

In terms of disability, 77.62% of the population had no disability, 16.87% had a disability with some difficulty, 4.83% had a disability with lots of difficulty or were unable to do certain things at all, and 0.69% did not state their disability status. Specific disability types included:

• Vision disabilities, with 35.45% attributing it to old age and 22.75% to illness.
• Hearing disabilities, with 35.82% unaware of the cause and 26.87% attributing it to old age.
• Walking disabilities, with 35.29% attributing it to illness, 29.41% to old age, and 15.97% to an accident.
• Self-care disabilities, with 38.24% unaware of the cause, 26.47% attributing it to illness, and 23.53% to "other" reasons.
• Remembering disabilities, with 33.94% attributing it to old age, 26.61% for unknown reasons, 14.68% to illness, 11.01% from birth, and 4.59% to an accident.

Barbuda has the highest rates of allergies, heart disease, and mental illness throughout the entire nation of Antigua and Barbuda.

Crime rate

Crime in Barbuda is a concern for residents and visitors alike. According to the 2011 census, the island had a population of 1,634 people, and a crime rate of 3.87%, with 1.11% of the population experiencing housebreaking, 0.18% auto theft, and 1.29% other crimes. This makes Barbuda the third-lowest in the nation for overall crime.

In recent years, crime rates have fluctuated in Antigua and Barbuda. In 2019, the crime rate was 3.26, a 75.13% decline from 2018. However, in 2020, the rate increased to 9.71, a 198.23% increase from the previous year. The crime rate continued to climb in 2021, reaching 17.16, a 76.72% increase from 2020. The crime rate for 2022 was 0.00, a 100% decline from the previous year.

While the crime rate in Barbuda is relatively low compared to other areas, there are still concerns about specific types of crimes. Property crimes such as vandalism and theft, violent crimes like assault and armed robbery, and corruption and bribery are all issues that have been raised. Additionally, there are worries about personal safety, with residents and visitors concerned about being mugged, robbed, or subjected to physical attacks.

It is worth noting that these crime statistics and concerns are for the twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda as a whole, and may not accurately reflect the situation in Barbuda specifically. Overall, while crime is a concern in Barbuda, the island has a relatively low crime rate compared to other areas.

Frequently asked questions