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Sunday, 07 December 2025 12:13

Fisheries and aquaculture contribute over US$ 200 million to Caribbean exports and more than half-a-million jobs

Fisheries and aquaculture, including mariculture, supports food security, sustainable livelihoods, trade, employment, and even cross-sectoral growth across the Caribbean economy—both the blue and the green economies which span sectors across terrestrial and coastal marine expanses.

Small-scale fisheries and aquaculture in Member States of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) employ almost 540,000 people, including women and youth, accounting for 6% of the labour force of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), according to data compiled and analysed by Mrs. June Masters, Statistics and Information Analyst at the CRFM Secretariat.

Across the seventeen CRFM Member States, almost 130,000 fishers—approximately 10% of them females—harvested an estimated 150,000 tonnes of seafood valued at US$527 million during 2023, from the marine capture fisheries.

Since 2003, the domestic marine capture fisheries of CRFM Member States had contributed 40% to total sector production, whereas the high seas fisheries (still active only in Belize) added 58%, and aquaculture (including seamoss mariculture) - 2% to the total fish production.

Fish Processing in Barbados

Marine capture fisheries production stood at 335,196 tonnes (in live weight) in 2023, although over the prior 21 years (2003-2024), the annual average was 389,473 tonnes.

From 2023 to 2024, CRFM Member States imported approximately 87,200 tonnes of fish and fish products valued at US$ 348.4 million annually, while the countries exported 47,000 tonnes valued at US$ 231 million.

For the period spanning 2004 to 2022, the annual average value of seafood traded between CARICOM countries was estimated at US$50 million. The fish exports with the highest average values were fish fillets and frozen fish. Exports across the region included live fish, fish dried, salted or in brine, and smoked fish.

Noting an overall decline in marine capture fisheries production and an opportunity to improve growth and employment in the fisheries and aquaculture sector across CARICOM, Ministers responsible for fisheries, aquaculture and the blue economy in CRFM Member States took a bold and decisive move to set new goals. The Ministers deliberated and formulated their decisions during the 16^th Special Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM)—an institution of CARICOM—convened on September 30, 2025, in Saint Kitts and Nevis, during Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2025.

Leveraging data to improve production and earnings

At its 14^th Special Meeting convened during the 18^th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, held in 2024 in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Council had stressed the need for the CRFM to take the lead in transforming the statistics and information into actionable knowledge through focused assessments and analyses of the data. It charged the CRFM Secretariat to develop prescriptive measures geared at optimising Caribbean blue economic growth and sustainable aquaculture (including mariculture), as well as to improve the production metrics and earnings for those working in the sector across CRFM Member States. At its recently held meeting, the Council set a timeline of early 2026 for the CRFM Secretariat to report back on actions taken to deliver upon this mandate.

Strengthening CARICOM’s Labour Force

Via Resolution No. SMC 16 (02) of 2025, passed in September 2025, the Council furthermore requested the development of an action plan for increasing employment in the fisheries and aquaculture sector over the next 5 years, from the current reported level of 6% of the CARICOM labour force.

It recommended that attention be given to value-added products and processing as a means of boosting employment opportunities in the fisheries and aquaculture (including mariculture) sector.

Boosting intraregional trade in CARICOM

Another noteworthy decision passed by the Council is its directive for the CRFM Secretariat to present a special report to the Council for adoption in 2026, on strategies for improving fisheries trade—with a focus on intraregional trade—using the lessons learned from experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CRFM Ministerial Council showed keen interest in reports from the CRFM Secretariat signaling that intra-regional trade yielded notable improvements during the pandemic and post-pandemic period. Intra-regional trade—that is, trade in fisheries and aquaculture products between CARICOM countries—accounts for approximately 15% of CARICOM’s regional trade, according to data available to the CRFM.

For the period spanning 2004 to 2022, the annual average value of seafood traded between CARICOM countries was estimated at US$50 million. The fish exports with the highest average values were fish fillets and frozen fish. Exports across the region included live fish, fish dried, salted or in brine, and smoked fish.

Published in Articles

Monday, 15 September 2025 11:52

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT

CRFM STAFF VACANCY

DATE:	15 September 2025
TITLE:	FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT
CATEGORY:	STAFF VACANCY
PROJECT/ORGANIZATION:	CRFM Secretariat
DEADLINE:	10 October 2025
STAFF VACANCY:	CLICK HERE
JOB DESCRIPTION:	CLICK HERE
STATUS:	Open

Published in Jobs and Consultancies

Wednesday, 04 September 2024 12:12

Request for Expressions of Interest – Road to Resilient (R2R) Fisheries – Project Preparation Studies

The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) has received grant funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) under a Project Preparation Facility (PPF) to fund the project titled: “The Road to Resilient Fisheries- Adopting Ecosystems-Based Adaptation in Four CARICOM Member States (R2R Fisheries) Programme”, to be implemented in Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, and St. Kitts and Nevis.

CCCCC in collaboration with the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) developed a Simplified Approval Process (SAP) concept note for this programme which was endorsed by the GCF in January 2023. To transform the endorsed concept note into a funding proposal, the CCCCC seeks to carry out critical studies to inform the final programme design. The CCCCC is therefore seeking the services of a consulting firm to develop a project preparation package for the proposed programme. The package is to include:

a Feasibility Study and Programme Design,
an Environmental and Social Due Diligence Package, and
a Gender Assessment and Action Plan for the proposed programme

The NEW Deadline for submission is now on or before 2:00 p.m. (GMT- 6) on Friday 20th September 2024.

Learn more here.

Published in CRFM News

Sunday, 28 January 2024 10:00

Final Call for Expressions of Interest (BE-CLME+ Project)

The CRFM Secretariat is pleased to share the following final calls for expressions of interest under the "BE-CLME+”: Promoting National Blue Economy Priorities Through Marine Spatial Planning in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem Plus Project. Please feel free to share these with anyone who you believe has the desired expertise to effectively execute the consultancies.

Published in CRFM News

Saturday, 20 January 2024 21:43

Jobs and Consultancies (Closed)

**LIST OF PREVIOUS JOB AND CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITIES**
DATE	PROJECT / ORGANIZATION	TITLE	CATEGORIES	STATUS
22 March 2023	CRFM	Marine Spatial Planning Specialist - CAF/FAO/CRFM/GEF - BE-CLME+ Project: Promoting National Blue Economy Priorities Through Marine Spatial Planning in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem Plus \| DOWNLOAD TERMS OF REFERENCE The deadline for the submission of applications is 14 July 2023	Project-based employment	Closed
31 May 2023	CRFM	Call for Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified Consultants to assist with the Preparation of a Regional Protocol Under the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy on the Principle of Sustainable Use of Marine Living Resources for Blue Economic Growth and Sustainable Development of CRFM Member States. Access the EOI here. Closing Date for receipt of EOI: 10 June 2023 at 4:00p.m (GMT-6) or until filled.	Consultancy	Closed
22 March 2023	CRFM	Seafood Value Chain Specialist - CAF/FAO/CRFM/GEF - BE-CLME+ Project: Promoting National Blue Economy Priorities Through Marine Spatial Planning in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem Plus The deadline for the submission of applications is 15 April 2023.	Project-based employment	Closed
22 March 2023	Anguilla	Aquaponics Project Manager- for The Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme (RESEMBID). The deadline for the submission of applications is 31 March 2023.	Project-based employment	Closed
22 March 2023	Anguilla	Aquaponics Project Officers- for The Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme (RESEMBID) The deadline for the submission of applications is 31 March 2023.	Project-based employment	Closed
6 April 2021	CRFM	Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualified Belizean nationals to fill the position of PROJECT CORDINATOR – Sargassum Products for Climate Resilience Project in the Caribbean. The deadline for the submission of applications is 9 April 2021	Short-Term Vacancy	Closed
10 Dec 2020	IICA	Strengthening Regional Coordination Framework for Fisheries Sector Closing dae for EOI is Jan 8, 2021 and all documents are to be emailed toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as well as This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .	Consultancy	Closed
10 Dec 2020	IICA	Support the CARIFORUM Countries to iprove Laboratory Testing Capacity for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector Closing date for EOI is Jan 8, 2021 and all documents are to be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as well as This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .	Consultancy	Closed
1 Dec 2020	CRFM	*Staff Vacancy - Deputy Executive Director* Applications are invited from suitably qualified nationals of the CARICOM / CRFM Member States to fill the position of Deputy Executive Director, Caribbean Regiona Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Secretariat. The deadline for the submission of applications is 15 January 2021	Staff	Closed
2 Nov 2020	CRFM	Call for Expression: Technical support for printing and dissemination of Eastern Caribbean Flyingfish Fishery Management Plan 2020-2025 and ancillary public relations items Closing Date for receipt of EOI: 23 November 2020, 3:00p.m. (GMT-6)	Consultancy	Closed
2 Nov 2020	CRFM	Call for Expression of Interest: Technical Support to effect the application of impact assessment tools for the putputs of the CLME+ flyingfish subproject in Trinidad and Tobago Closing Date for receipt of EOI: 16 November 2020, 3:00p.m. (GMT-6)	Consultancy	Closed
2 Nov 2020	CRFM	Call for Expression of Interest: Technical Support to effect the application of impact assessment tools for the putputs of the CLME+ flyingfish subproject in St. vincent and the GrenadinesClosing Date for receipt of EOI: 16 November 2020, 3:00p.m. (GMT-6)	Consultancy	Closed
2 Nov 2020	CRFM	Call for Expression of Interest: Technical Support to effect the application of impact assessment tools for the putputs of the CLME+ flyingfish subproject in St. Lucia Closing Date for receipt of EOI: 16 November 2020, 3:00p.m. (GMT-6)	Consultancy	Closed
2 Nov 2020	CRFM	Call for Expression of Interest: Technical Support to effect the application of impact assessment tools for the putputs of the CLME+ flyingfish subproject in Grenada Closing Date for receipt of EOI: 16 November 2020, 3:00p.m. (GMT-6)	Consultancy	Closed
2 Nov 2020	CRFM	Call for Expression of Interest: Technical Support to effect the application of impact assessment tools for the putputs of the CLME+ flyingfishsubproject in Barbados Closing Date for receipt of EOI: 16 November 2020, 3:00p.m. (GMT-6)	Consultancy	Closed
2 Nov 2020	CRFM	Call for Expression of Interest: Technical Support to effect the application of impact assessment tools for the putputs of the CLME+ flyingfishsubproject in Dominica Closing Date for receipt of EOI: 16 November 2020, 3:00p.m. (GMT-6)	Consulatncy	Closed
22 July 2020	IICA	Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) 11 th European Development Fund (EDF) “Support to CARIFORUM States in furthering the implementation of their Economic Partnership - Agreement (EPA) commitments and in meaningfully reaping the benefits of the Agreement” (SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES (SPS) PROJECT) STRENGTHENING REGIONAL COORDINATION FRAMEWORK FOR FISHERIES SECTOR *Closing Date for Receipt of EOI: August 20, 2020*	Consultancy	Closed
22 July 2020	IICA	Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) 11 th European Development Fund (EDF) “Support to CARIFORUM States in furthering the implementation of their Economic Partnership - Agreement (EPA) commitments and in meaningfully reaping the benefits of the Agreement” (SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES (SPS) PROJECT) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO BUILD FOOD SAFETY CAPACITY FOR THE FISHERIES SECTOR Closing Date for Receipt of EOI: August 20, 2020	Consultancy	Closed
November 2019	Government of Canada through the UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project	Request for Proposal (RfP): Technical support to Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Fisheries in the Caribbean Closing Date for receipt of RfP is 2 December 2019 at 8:00am (GMT -6)	Consultancy	Closed
May 2017	CLME+ Project	Call for Expression of Interest (EOI): Technical support to facilitate Long-term Enhancement of Livelihoods and Himan Well-being for Eastern Caribbean Flyingfish fisheries Closing Date for receipt of EOI is 19 May 2017	Consultancy	Closed
May 2017	CLME+ Project	Call for Expression of Interest (EOI): Technical support to facilitate adaptive management for Eastern Caribbean Flyingfish fisheriesClosing Date for receipt of EOI is 19 May 2017	Consultancy	Closed
May 2017	CLME+ Project	call for Expression of Interest (EOI): Technical support to implementation of management/stress reduction measures in the Eastern Caribbean Flyingfish fishery Closing Date for receipt of EOI is 19 May 2017	Consultancy	Closed
February 2017	CRFM	Staff Vacancy Programme Manager - Research & Resource Assessment	Staff	Closed
August 2016	CLME+ Project	Call for Expression of Interest (EOI): Technical support to Enhance stakeholder participation in the flyingfish fisheries management process Closing date for receipt of EOI is 23rd September 2016	Consultancy	Closed
August 2016	CLME+ Project	Call for Expression of Interest (EOI): Technical support to Enhance the Governance arrangements for implementing an ecosystem approach to Flyingfish fisheries Closing date for receipt of EOI is 23rd September 2016	Consultancy	Closed
August 2016	CLME+ Project	Call for Expression of Interest (EOI): Technical support to Enhance Data and Information Management for decision support to the Eastern Caribbean Flyingfish Fishery. Closing date for receipt of EOI is 23rd September 2016	Consultancy	Closed
April 2016	SPS Measures Project/IICA	Call for Expression of Interest (EOI): Support to promote adoption of comprehensive legislation for health & food safety of fisheries & aquaculture in the Caribbean	Short-Term Consultancy	Closed
April 2016	SPS Measures Project/IICA	Call for Expression of Interest (EOI): Capacity Building of stakeholders in Aquaculture &Fisheries Health and Food Safety for international trade	Short-Term Consultancy	Closed
January 2016	CRFM Secretariat	Staff Vacancy Programme Manager - Research & Resource Assessment	Staff Vacancy	Closed
December 2015	CRFM Secretariat	Short-Term Consulting Opportunity to review the impact of rising cost factors, such as capital, labour, maintenance and energy cost on fisheries operations.	Short-Term Consultancy	Closed
January 206	CRFM Secretariat	Short-Term Consulting Opportunity to prepare a Practical Guide for the Implementation of St. George's Declaration on Conservation Management and Sustainable Use of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster	Short-Term Consultancy	Closed
August 2015	CRFM Secretariat	Short-Term Consulting Opportunity with the CRFM Secretariat to undertake an assignment aimed at documenting and promoting stronger linkages between the fisheries and the tourism sectors in the CARICOM/CARIFORUM region.	Short-Term Consultancy	Closed
May 2015	SPS Measures Project/IICA	Website Development and Maintenance of the 10th EDF Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures Project	Short-Term Consultancy	Closed
May 2015	CAHFSA	Website Development and Maintenance of the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA)	Short-Term Consultancy	Closed
February 2015	CRFM	Preparation of Legal Agreement		Closed
September 2014	CRFM/IICA	CALL FOR CONSULTANTS: 10th EDF SPS Project	Short-Term Consultancy	Closed
July 2014	ST. Lucia	Consultancy for Seafood Consumer Research	Short-Term Consultancy	Closed
March 2014	CRFM	Consultant to Perform in the Capacity of a Knowledge Platform Facilitator	Short-Term Consultancy	Closed
March 2014	CRFM	Consultancy to Perform in the Capacity of a Knowledge Platform Content Specialist	Short-Term Consultancy	Closed
November 2013	CRFM	Administrative Assistant/Secretary for the CRFM/JICA Caribbean Fisheries Co-management (CARIFICO) Project	JOB VACANCIES	Closed

Published in Jobs and Consultancies

Tuesday, 09 January 2024 14:11