The surrounding oceanic surface waters are relatively low in nutrients, thermally stable and of low productivity. Surface currents off Barbados are complex, but generally directed towards the northwest, sometimes bringing lenses of lower-salinity water containing debris from the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers of South America. These features often attract pelagic fish.
All species are seasonally available.
There are demersal slope and shallow shelf fisheries for snappers and a variety of reef species. The fishing fleet is usually divided into four design types. About 400 of these, powered by 15 to 40 hp outboard engines, are used for inshore fisheries. They normally range up to 30 miles from shore and there are about 275 dayboats. They carry ice to sea in insulated fish holds, facilitating multi-day trips, and usually harvest the same species as dayboats using the same gear.