Trelawny, Jamaica, 29 September 2026 (CRFM)—The Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) convened its 17^th Special Meeting at the Ocean Coral Spring Resort in Trelawny, Jamaica, on Monday, 28 September 2026, during the 20^th Caribbean Week of Agriculture. Under the chairmanship of Antigua and Barbuda, the Ministers responsible for fisheries, aquaculture, and the blue economy approved twelve resolutions, solidifying their decisions regarding the future policy direction of the region’s fisheries and aquaculture sector with respect to data and information, marine spatial planning, traceability across seafood value chains, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Delegation heads from CRFM Member States at the end of the 17th Special Meeting of the Ministerial Council in Jamaica (Photo – CRFM Secretariat) 

In his opening remarks, the Chair of the CRFM Ministerial Council, Hon. Randy Baltimore, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Antigua and Barbuda, said that this year’s theme for Caribbean Week of Agriculture, ‘The New F.A.C.E. of Caribbean Food Systems,’ focusing on Food Security, Agri-Business, Climate-Smart Technologies, and Export Expansion, speaks directly to the CRFM’s work.

“Fisheries and the blue economy must remain an integral part of each of these pillars,” Minister Baltimore said. “Our fisheries sector contributes not only to food and nutrition security, but also to livelihoods, trade and the economic resilience of our coastal communities. Yet we continue to face challenges from climate change; marine resource pressures; illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; and changing market conditions.” 

Minister Baltimore addressing the Council, flanked by CRFM Executive Director, Dr. Marc Williams (left), and Deputy Executive Director, Dr. Sandra Grant. (Photo – CARICOM Secretariat) 

The CRFM Secretariat briefed the Ministers on status and trends in the sector. CRFM Statistics and Information Analyst, Mrs. June Masters, informed the Council that the most current regional data indicate that over half-a-million people are employed in the sector across the 17 CRFM Member States, including approximately 133,000 fishers and 5,000 aquaculture workers. She reported that over the five-year period spanning 2020 to 2025, each Member State reported steady growth in sector employment.

Meanwhile, the data indicate that the total ex-vessel value of fish produced by the region’s domestic fleet, representing the prices that fishers receive directly for their catch across over 30,000 vessels, almost doubled, presumably due to increased market prices. Mrs. Masters said that over the five-year period, this value increased from US$431 million to US$856 million, representing growth of 99%. At the same time, though, the total weight of the catch increased less dramatically, by 14%, from approximately 141,000 tons to approximately 160,000 tons.

Representatives from Haiti, the host country – Jamaica, and Montserrat were among the policymakers who attended the Special Council meeting. (Photo – CARICOM Secretariat)

This is the backdrop against which the Ministerial Council discussed policies and the strategic direction of the sector, as well as the capacities of the CRFM Secretariat and its Member States to steer the sector’s sustainable growth and development. They deliberated on a recently concluded training and capacity needs assessment conducted by the CRFM in partnership with GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme under the auspices of UNESCO. The Council, which had commissioned the assessment, committed to taking prompt action to help bridge the capacity gaps.

Another important highlight of the Council meeting was the approval of three new protocols to the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP). These are the Protocol on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), the Protocol on Aquatic Foods Traceability, and the Protocol on Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.

Reflecting on this milestone, CRFM Executive Director, Dr. Marc Williams, said: “Adopting these three new protocols marks a major step toward strengthening the governance, sustainability, and economic resilience of the Caribbean’s fisheries and marine resources. Together, the new CCCFP protocols on marine spatial planning, aquatic foods traceability, and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing give our Member States stronger regional frameworks to manage competing uses of our ocean space, build confidence and transparency in Caribbean seafood, and protect our fisheries from illegal activities.”

He added that these protocols also help safeguard the livelihoods of legitimate fishers, improve market access, strengthen food and nutrition security, and ensure that the benefits derived from our marine resources are shared sustainably.

“Importantly, these protocols demonstrate the Caribbean Community’s commitment to moving from policy to coordinated action and to building a modern, integrated, and resilient fisheries governance system. Our objective is clear: to protect the Caribbean’s fisheries and ocean resources while creating greater economic opportunities and securing their benefits for present and future generations,” Dr. Williams concluded.

In closing the Special Meeting of the Council, Minister Baltimore said: “Our countries face many shared challenges, but each also brings valuable experience and ideas to the table. I ask that we continue to learn from one another, share approaches that work, and follow through on the decisions made here. That is how we will build a stronger fisheries sector and a blue economy that creates lasting benefits for our fisherfolk and coastal communities.”

The CRFM Ministerial Council will also be represented at this Friday’s 127^th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) – Agriculture, which concludes the 20^th Caribbean Week of Agriculture in Jamaica.

Georgetown, Guyana, 12 August 2026 (CRFM)—Fisheries professionals from countries within the North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem (NBSLME) are better equipped to assess groundfish species using length-based data for actionable management advice that will bolster the sustainability of the region’s fisheries. This 5-day training and capacity-building workshop on Data-limited Assessment of the Groundfish Stocks in the North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem was convened from August 3-7, 2026, at the Grand Coastal Hotel in Georgetown, Guyana.

Participants after the opening of the CRFM-CSWG Data-limited Assessment of the Groundfish Stocks in the North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem in Guyana

The hands-on event was convened by the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) through the CRFM Continental Shelf Fisheries Working Group (CRFM-CSWG), which collaborated with two institutional partners—the University of the West Indies-managed EAF4SG Project and the FAO-WECAFC Shrimp and Groundfish Working Group—working along with the national fisheries authorities of three CRFM Member States: Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The session also drew participation from Brazil and Venezuela.

CRFM Deputy Executive Director, Dr. Sandra Grant, said: “The CRFM hopes—through this series of stock assessment trainings held since 2023—to improve stock assessment capacity among data managers from the NBSLME. This will be evidenced by their enhanced knowledge and application of stock assessment methods and data-limited software tools in R.”

Workshop attendees discussed the groundfish data and analyses

Workshop participants were exposed to training in the collection and analysis of length data, and in developing technical management advice based on the analyses derived from them. The advice would address appropriate precautionary adjustments to harvest levels that are consistent with management objectives, as well as the subsequent monitoring of management controls. Training in management advice covered appropriate practical controls, such as technical gear changes, closed areas and seasons, as well as overall effort and catch limits.

CRFM Statistics and Information Analyst, Mrs. June Masters, crunching numbers as she analyses length-data

"This workshop represents another important milestone in our ongoing collaboration with the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM). In March 2025, we partnered to deliver similar training for participants from Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. We are very pleased to again in 2026, cosponsor this very important and much needed workshop in partnership with the CRFM,” said Mrs. Nerissa Lucky, Technical & Project Coordinator, EAF4SG project (Enhancing capacity for the adoption and implementation of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries in the shrimp and groundfish fisheries of the North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem).

Ms. Gitanjali Chandarpal, Assistant Representative, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), added that, “Maintaining sustainable fisheries is crucial, and reliable stock assessments are the cornerstone of sustainable fisheries management. Even where data is limited, robust scientific methods allow us to reduce uncertainty, support evidence-based decision-making and apply precautionary approaches that safeguard both marine ecosystems and the livelihoods that depend upon them.”

Mrs. Selvine Stephenson-Grant, Deputy Programme Manager, Agricultural & Agro-Industrial Development, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, noted that, “Through the work of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, Member States continue to pursue greater cooperation in the sustainable use and management of shared fisheries resources. As the Community advances implementation of initiatives aimed at strengthening regional food systems, sustainable fisheries will continue to play an increasingly important role in ensuring healthy diets, supporting livelihoods, and building resilience across the Caribbean.”

She conveyed commendations from the CARICOM Secretariat to the CRFM Secretariat, the Government of Guyana, the FAO, the EAF4SG Project, and all participating Member States and partners for their continued leadership and commitment to sustainable fisheries management.

Ms. Desha Husbands, Fisheries Officer, who addressed participants on behalf of the Government of Guyana, said: “We cannot manage what we cannot measure, and we cannot manage what we don't know. This training workshop, facilitated by the CRFM and the EAF4SG project, addresses this need by strengthening our technical capacity through the ecosystem approach to fisheries. We can now move from a point of intuition to a point of evidence-based management.”

Dr. Tomas Willems (left) with Dr. Paul Medley at CSWG workshop

The expected outcomes of the training and capacity-building workshop on Data-limited Assessment of the Groundfish Stocks in the North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem include:

• Improved stock assessment capacity among data managers;
• Stock assessment reports produced for completed assessments;
• Improved groundfish data collection methods, featuring updated protocols to support more accurate stock assessments;
• Enhanced understanding of the use of length-based assessment methods to support fisheries management decision-making;
• Increased capacity to apply precautionary approaches in recommending harvest adjustments and management measures using Management Strategy Evaluations; and
• Increased capacity to develop appropriate fisheries management controls, including gear modifications, closed seasons or areas, effort controls, and catch limits.

Dr. Tomas Willems, Head of Research & Statistics, Suriname Fisheries Department, said: “A key takeaway is that, although length-based methods do not require the long historical time series of data needed for many traditional stock assessment models, the data must still be of high quality and collected through rigorous, well-designed sampling programs. Furthermore, a sound understanding of the life history and biology of the species being assessed remains essential for obtaining reliable results.”

Dr. Paul Medley, the consultant who delivered the training, said: “It's been very productive. We made a lot of progress again. I hope that we can sustain this level of effort in trying to determine stock status. We are also developing appropriate methods for the Caribbean, so that we can monitor our stocks, our fisheries, and move towards more sustainable use.”

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BE-CLME+ Knowledge Management Platform aims to connect policymakers, fisherfolk, private sector, and communities

Belize City, Belize (CRFM) – The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), have officially launched an open-access, Caribbean Blue Economy (BE) Knowledge Hub that brings together decades of the region’s expertise and insight on fisheries, aquaculture, and marine spatial planning.

The knowledge hub is a permanent, multilingual home for Blue Economy data, best practices, policy tools, and technical insight from across the participating countries–Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Panama, and Saint Lucia—built on CRFM’s expertise and the knowledge generated through the BE-CLME+ Project.

The digital platform is a crucial outcome of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded, BE-CLME+: Promoting National Blue Economy Priorities Through Marine Spatial Planning in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem Plus project.

Dr. Marc Williams, Executive Director, CRFM, stated, “The BE-CLME+ Knowledge Management Hub represents the continued drive of the CRFM to make knowledge products more accessible to all stakeholders; connecting policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and communities to the evidence they need to act, adapt, and lead.”

Dr. Williams further elaborated: “Small-scale fishers, women who process and trade the catch, youth deciding whether this industry has a future worth joining, and Indigenous communities whose stewardship of marine ecosystems spans generations — all will find, in this platform, a resource calibrated to their realities. That means accessible formats, multilingual content, and practical tools that translate regional expertise into actionable guidance for every practitioner in the value chain, including fisherfolk, academics, and policymakers alike.”

Powered by insights produced through the BE-CLME+ Project and CRFM, the Hub organises technical reports, policy briefs, fact sheets, and multimedia resources across seven thematic areas for easy discovery. Users can search, filter by theme, and access an AI-powered assistant — “Ask BE-CLME” — available in both English and Spanish to help navigate the platform's resources.

Across the six participating countries, governments now have a consolidated evidence base—which can be found at www.beknowledge.crfm.int—to drive marine spatial planning, sharpen national fisheries policy, and attract blue economy investment.

Dr. Renata Clarke, FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean, said, “The importance of this platform cannot be overstated. It would help to unlock grey literature to better support decision-making by practitioners that is centered on benefits to communities. At present, piles of information and knowledge produced over decades sit unused, on desks and in drawers of national officers.”

With “over USD 200 million in annual Caribbean exports and more than half-a-million jobs” at stake across coastal communities from Belize to Barbados, according to the CRFM Statistics and Information Report – 2021/2022, the sustainable management of marine resources is an economic and food security imperative.

Erick Castro, Principal Executive, CAF, said, “

Advancing a sustainable blue economy requires long-term investment in knowledge, governance, and human capital. Through BE-CLME+, we are helping to build the foundations that enable countries to make informed decisions, strengthen institutions, and unlock opportunities for inclusive and resilient growth. This platform is a tangible example of that commitment, transforming regional knowledge into a shared asset that will continue to generate blue value over time.

”

Sustainability Is Not a Cost — It Is the Business Case

The Caribbean sits at the centre of one of the most biodiverse marine regions on earth, yet a significant share of its seafood continues to be exported as raw, unprocessed product which leaves most of the value, and most of the jobs, somewhere else. Closing that gap is a trade strategy, not a conservation ambition.

The BE-CLME+ Knowledge Management Platform provides the market frameworks, training, and certification pathways for seafood standards, and value chain intelligence that make sustainable seafood profitable, scalable, and investable; while equipping businesses with the regional data they need to make decisions with confidence.

Since 2023, the BE-CLME+ project has aimed to maintain and preserve cultural heritage through sustainable fisheries management, improved livelihoods, and alternative livelihoods while strengthening the integration of fisheries and ecosystem management to restore, protect, and maintain marine biodiversity, productivity, and resilience of marine ecosystems.

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The CRFM Secretariat is pleased to announce that Mr. Peter A. Murray is the new Regional Project Coordinator of the USD 48 million GEF/CAF/FAO/CRFM Project entitled, “Promoting National Blue Economy Priorities Through Marine Spatial Planning in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem Plus Region" (BE-CLME + Project).

Mr. Murray formerly served as the CRFM's Advisor, Fisheries Management and Development, and he has played an active technical role for several decades on BE-related matters across the Caribbean, in addition to monitoring control and surveillance, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing and the broader spectrum of trans-national crime, gender, and fisheries nutrition, health and sanitary issues. 

He comes highly qualified with 45 years of experience in fisheries as well as a Master of Philosophy degree in Biology and a Diploma in International Environmental Law. He has been senior-most Fisheries Biologist at Saint Lucia’s Department of Fisheries; senior Programme Officer at the OECS Secretariat, and Programme Manager at the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism Secretariat. 

Mr. Murray, who succeeds Dr. Dayne Buddo, now has lead responsibility for overseeing BE-CLME+ project activities. As such, he will work towards ensuring alignment with strategic goals, timely delivery of planned activities and fostering collaboration among stakeholders and partners. His extensive experience and knowledge will be very helpful in advancing the objectives of the project, which is focused on marine spatial planning, marine managed areas, seafood value chain development, and ultimately the sustainable use and management of marine living resources, biodiversity conservation, stakeholder engagement and capacity-building throughout the region, and enhancing resilience to climate change and ocean acidification.

The CRFM welcomes Mr. Murray to his new role and wishes him all the best in this new chapter of his professional journey.

Today, as we observe World Oceans Day, we are reminded that the Caribbean Sea and our surrounding oceans are not only a source of natural beauty but also the foundation of livelihoods, culture, food security, and economic opportunity for millions of people across our region. The theme of ocean stewardship has never been more important. For the Caribbean, the future of our oceans is inseparable from the future of our people. Healthy marine ecosystems support fisheries, tourism, transportation, coastal protection, and countless other services that sustain our economies and communities. As we celebrate this day, we must reaffirm our collective commitment to safeguarding our marine resources for present and future generations.

Small-scale fisheries remain the backbone of the fisheries sector in most Caribbean countries. Thousands of fishers, fish vendors, processors, and their families depend directly on the sea for their livelihoods and well-being. These fisheries contribute significantly to local food supplies, employment, poverty reduction, and cultural heritage. As global food systems face mounting pressures from climate change, economic uncertainty, and supply chain disruptions, investing in sustainable small-scale fisheries is essential to strengthening regional food and nutrition security. We must continue to empower fishing communities through improved management, access to finance, modern technology, capacity building, and policies that recognize their invaluable contributions to national and regional development.

At the same time, the Caribbean has tremendous opportunities to expand sustainable mariculture and aquaculture as part of a diversified Blue Economy. Responsible mariculture can increase domestic seafood production, reduce reliance on imports, create jobs, attract investment, and build resilience to climate-related shocks. Through innovation, science-based planning, and effective marine spatial management, we can unlock new opportunities in marine fish farming, seaweed cultivation, shellfish production, and other ocean-based industries while safeguarding marine biodiversity. The CRFM remains committed to supporting Member States in advancing sustainable Blue Economy initiatives that balance economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social inclusion.

However, the promise of our oceans cannot be realized if marine pollution continues to endanger our ecosystems. Plastic waste, abandoned fishing gear, land-based runoff, wastewater discharge, and other pollutants are degrading coastal habitats, damaging coral reefs, threatening marine life, and undermining fisheries productivity. Addressing marine pollution requires action by governments, businesses, communities, and individuals alike. On this World Ocean Day 2026, let us renew our commitment to reducing pollution at its source, strengthening waste management systems, promoting sustainable consumption, and protecting the marine environment on which our prosperity depends. Together, we can build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient Caribbean Sea that continues to nourish our people, support our economies, and inspire future generations.

	WHAT IS STAR-FISH AND WHY IT MATTERS
	Fisheries across the Caribbean are highly dependent on fossil fuels, making them vulnerable to rising energy costs and climate risks. STAR-Fish seeks to demonstrate that:
	Renewable energy reduces operational costs Energy-efficient technologies improve productivity Inclusive approaches strengthen long-term resilience

CONTENT AND RESOURCES

Belize City, Belize, 3 June 2026 (CRFM)—The Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), a regional inter-governmental body of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), convened its Twentieth (20^th) Regular Meeting today. The Council, comprised of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Blue Economy Ministers from the Caribbean, deliberated via teleconference on key issues confronting the sector. These include bolstering aquaculture development, improving food security, strengthening resilience to climate and disaster risks through insurance, and notable gains in addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Before delving into these pressing matters, the Council elected Hon. Randy Baltimore, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Antigua and Barbuda, as Chair. Minister Baltimore succeeds Hon. Kyle Hodge, Minister of Economic Development, Industry, Commerce, Lands, Planning, Water, and Natural Resources, Anguilla, who rendered stellar service as Chair of the CRFM Ministerial Council during the previous year.

In accepting the Chairmanship, Antigua and Barbuda reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, promoting sustainable use of marine resources, supporting fisherfolk livelihoods, and advancing innovative solutions to challenges facing the fisheries sector, including climate change, illegal fishing, and marine resource management.

Minister Baltimore said: “The Government of Antigua and Barbuda looks forward to working closely with CRFM Member States and regional partners to further the sustainable development of the Caribbean’s fisheries and blue economy sectors during its tenure as Chair.”

He noted that he had recently been assigned to the portfolio following national elections in the Member State. Supported by the Chair of the Caribbean Fisheries Forum, Mr. Ian Horsford, Chief Fisheries Officer, Antigua and Barbuda, the Ministers effectively addressed a range of topics, resulting in the passage of 19 resolutions critical to the advancement of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Minister Baltimore chairing the Council meeting from Antigua and Barbuda (Photo: Government of Antigua and Barbuda)

In addressing the Council at the conclusion of the meeting, CRFM Executive Director, Dr. Marc Williams said: “The Caribbean stands at a pivotal moment when sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, the Blue Economy, climate resilience, and ocean governance must be integrated to secure prosperity for present and future generations. I encourage all Member States to maintain their strong engagement in implementing today's resolutions and to continue supporting the CRFM as a premier regional institution for fisheries and ocean governance.”

The Ministers approved a new 5-year aquaculture action plan, as well as a new biennial work plan and budget for the CRFM, spanning 2026-2027. They also received updates on three regional initiatives through which critical work is being undertaken by the CRFM, in collaboration with its Member States and institutional partners, to strengthen the sector. These are the Canadian-funded Sustainable Technologies for Adaptation and Resilience in Fisheries (STAR-fish) Project, the IICA/EDF-EU Food Security Project, as well as the GEF/FAO/CAF/CRFM BE-CLME+ Project: Promoting National Blue Economy Priorities Through Marine Spatial Planning in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem Plus.

“The Council’s decisions on the CRFM work plan and budget, financial management, staffing, and strategic priorities provide a strong foundation for advancing the CRFM’s goals and delivering tangible benefits to the people who depend on our marine resources,” Dr. Williams said.

The Council is scheduled to meet again later this year, during the 20^th Caribbean Week of Agriculture in Jamaica.

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Belize City, Tuesday, 2 June 2026 (CRFM)—Amid rising energy costs and growing climate pressures affecting Caribbean Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) is ramping up clean energy interventions under the CAD4.324 million STAR-Fish Project: “Sustainable Technologies for Adaptation and Resilience in Fisheries.”

Implementation activities across participating countries—Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname—will focus on strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of fisheries and aquaculture through clean energy solutions and low-carbon development. Planned interventions include the identification and deployment of renewable energy technologies, including cold storage solutions to improve cold chain efficiency, as well as support for selected fisheries to pursue low-carbon certification.

Participants engaged in the “Powering Change: Fueling a Gender-Responsive Energy Transition in Fisheries” training and workshop series held in Grenada during Year 2 of the STAR-Fish Project’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion consultancy implemented by EnGen Collaborative.

At the 2^nd Regional Project Steering Committee Meeting held on 14 May 2026, Sherron Barker, Regional Project Coordinator for the STAR-Fish Project, presented the approved 2026–2027 Work Plan and Budget, which will guide the next phase of implementation. Key near-term priorities include developing viable business models to support investment in clean energy technologies, advancing the conversion of selected fish processing operations, and strengthening market opportunities for low-carbon certified fisheries.

Ms. Ena Ćimić, STAR-Fish Project Lead at the High Commission of Canada to Jamaica, representing Global Affairs Canada (GAC), acknowledged that the Caribbean’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors are important drivers of economic activity, livelihoods, and food security across the region. Addressing the meeting, she noted that, “the sectors also remain highly vulnerable to climate change, rising energy costs, and evolving market demands.”

Ms. Ćimić added: “the activities implemented through this project position STAR-Fish to further strengthen institutional capacity, advance gender-responsive approaches, and support the adoption of sustainable energy technologies within the fisheries and aquaculture sector, while also improving access to finance, enhancing competitiveness, and building resilience to climate and disaster risks across participating countries.”

Reflecting on progress during the previous year, Dr. Marc Williams, Executive Director of the CRFM Secretariat, noted that STAR-Fish advanced key technical workstreams, including renewable energy business model development, carbon footprinting, and low-carbon certification processes. He added that Project Year 2 marked an important transition as the project moved from foundational planning toward more structured and coordinated implementation across participating countries.

Westmoreland, Jamaica Seamoss farmers participated in consultations and capacity-building activities under the “Powering Change: Fueling a Gender-Responsive Energy Transition in Fisheries” initiative implemented through the STAR-Fish Project’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion consultancy led by EnGen Collaborative.

Dr. Williams added: “One of the project’s key achievements during the reporting period was the completion of major activities on gender equality and social inclusion. This work strengthened understanding of gender and social issues associated with the clean energy transition, supported the development of national and regional guidance tools through Gender Action Plans (GAPs) for Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and advanced gender-responsive capacity building and stakeholder engagement across participating countries.”

Ms. Ćimić said that GAC welcomed STAR-Fish’s gender-responsive approach, vital to strengthening national capacities, promoting inclusion, and ensuring that the benefits of the clean energy transition are shared equitably.

“This aligns with Canada’s priorities of advancing gender equality, climate action, and sustainable, inclusive growth, while also supporting expanded trade opportunities in the region,” she said, pledging GAC’s continued support for the CRFM initiative.

Dr. Williams said that the project now enters Project Year 3 with “activities underway, strengthened governance arrangements, and a clearer pathway toward the practical application of renewable energy solutions across fisheries value chains in the Caribbean.”

“We look forward to continuing to work with all of you to support effective implementation and to contribute to a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive Caribbean fisheries sector,” Ćimić affirmed.

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Belize City, Belize, 24 April 2026 (CRFM)—The Caribbean Fisheries Forum, comprised of 17 heads of fisheries authorities across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), is convening its 24th Regular Meeting this week. The Forum, which provides technical guidance to the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), began its meeting on Thursday, 23 April 2026, with deliberations on the CRFM’s Seventh Biennial Work Plan (2026-2027), which sets the framework for the regional fisheries body to advance the development of fisheries and aquaculture across the region. Today’s agenda is focused on pressing regional and international developments, as well as the status and trends of the sector.

 Across the Caribbean Community, approximately half-a-million people are employed in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, including 122,198 fishers, 4,926 aquaculture farmers, and 412,078 others who hold fisheries-dependent jobs across the value chain.

Dr. Marc Williams, Executive Director of the CRFM, said: “The Caribbean Fisheries Forum provides the CRFM with a platform to discuss fish stocks, the blue economy, marine ecosystems, and fishing activities. Given the proximity of the Member States in the Caribbean and the transboundary nature of the fish stocks, cooperation is essential for the sustainable management of these stocks.” 

He added that, “The Forum meeting provides a platform for the Member States to share data, examine common challenges such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, climate change, habitat degradation, and overfishing, and coordinate policies that protect resources while supporting livelihoods. Additionally, it reinforces partnerships among governments, fisherfolk organizations, researchers, and other nongovernmental organizations to foster trust, harmonize plans, improve enforcement, and attract funding for joint projects that benefit the CRFM Member States.” 

On Thursday, 24 April 2026, the Forum also held elections for a new Chair and Vice Chair, as well as members of the Executive Committee of the Forum and the Resource Mobilization Sub-committee. After the elections, Mr. Ian Horsford, Chief Fisheries Officer, Antigua and Barbuda, assumed the Chair, succeeding Mr. Remone Johnson of the Turks and Caicos Islands for the next year.

"In these times of geopolitical uncertainty, CRFM—through its various organs such as the Forum—remains a shining example of what can be achieved through multilateralism as we chart the way forward for the sustainable development of Caribbean fisheries and blue economy," Mr. Horsford said. 

The two-day meeting, which concludes today, Friday, 24 April, addresses the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture, as well as cross-cutting dimensions related to climate change, adaptation, and innovation, including the strategic adoption of renewable energy options within seafood value chains. The Forum’s deliberations also encompass initiatives to combat IUU fishing and fisheries crime, as well as gender mainstreaming in fisheries. 

Furthermore, the Forum is providing technical guidance on two new protocols under the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP): a protocol on marine spatial planning and the other on aquatic foods traceability, which involves tracking seafood across the value chain. Deliberations extend to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (the BBNJ Agreement), as well as the International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution—all important legal instruments for the sector. 

This week’s Forum meeting precedes the upcoming 20^th Regular Meeting of the CRFM Ministerial Council, comprised of Ministers from the CRFM’s Member States.

Belize City, Belize, 3 March 2026 (CRFM)—Representatives of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), headquartered in Belize, and the GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme (FTP), met last week to explore ways to strengthen cooperation with CRFM Member States and to further enhance the region's capacity in fisheries management and development. The discussion took place on Friday, February 27, 2026, at GRÓ FTP in Reykjavik, Iceland. Dr. Marc Williams, CRFM Executive Director, met with Mr. Thor Ásgeirsson, GRÓ FTP Director, and Stefán Úlfarsson, Specialist, to chart the way forward.

From left to right: Dr. Marc Williams, CRFM Executive Director; GRÓ FTP 2025-2026 fellow - Ms. Deandra Roberts of Jamaica; Mr. Thor Ásgeirsson, GRÓ FTP Director; and GRÓ FTP 2025-2026 fellow - Ms. Annakay Crawford of Jamaica

This engagement builds upon 18 years of collaboration between the parties. The CRFM and GRÓ FTP, formerly the United Nations University Fisheries Training Program (UNU FTP), entered into a memorandum of understanding in 2008 to enhance institutional capacity. Under this arrangement, Caribbean fisheries practitioners continue to benefit from GRÓ FTP training, including short courses, six-month training programs, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees. 

Currently, the CRFM and GRÓ FTP are conducting a capacity needs assessment of the CRFM fisheries administrations and the CRFM Secretariat. Two GRÓ FTP fellows from Jamaica, Ms. Annakay Crawford and Ms. Deandra Roberts, are gathering and analyzing data for the assessment, which will provide the evidence that the Member States and the CRFM Secretariat need to chart the future direction of their respective organizations.

On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the FAO’s 2^nd Committee on Fisheries (COFI) Subcommittee Meeting on Fisheries Management in Iceland, Ms. Crawford and Ms. Roberts briefed the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines delegation—Honorable Conroy Huggins, Minister of Fisheries, Marine and Land Conservation, and Climate Resilience, and Mr. Kris Isaacs, Senior Fisheries Officer—on their progress. The delegation reaffirmed its commitment to support the successful completion of the assessment reports.

Last September, the CRFM Ministerial Council—comprised of ministers responsible for fisheries, aquaculture  and the blue economy from across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)—issued a resolution approving the CRFM Capacity Needs Assessment Roadmap 2025. The Council said it looks forward to the successful completion of the regional and national capacity assessment summaries that would support a more holistic response in addressing the gaps at both the regional and national levels.

Dr. Williams said: “The CRFM Secretariat acknowledges and thanks all Member States that have been contributing to the Capacity Needs Assessment. These inputs have been essential in enabling a comprehensive regional analysis of our institutional and human capacities, in accordance with the directives of the CRFM Ministerial Council. Continued collaboration is critical as the process advances toward validation and subsequent presentation to the Council.”

Since 2008, sixty-five (65) Caribbean fisheries professionals have benefited from training through GRÓ FTP. Several of the program's alumni have moved on to leadership roles within fisheries administrations, the CRFM Secretariat, and the CRFM Ministerial Council. Notably, Ministerial Council member, the Honorable Jullan Defoe, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy in Dominica, and the CRFM Secretariat’s Executive Director, Dr. Williams, both received fisheries training from GRÓ FTP.

GRÓ FTP, which promotes sustainable use and management of living aquatic resources, has reaffirmed its desire to continue supporting the development of fisheries management capacity and the training of future Caribbean leaders.