Belize City, Belize, 23 March 2026 (CRFM)—Fishers from the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) recently concluded a very successful exchange in Grenada. From March 16-19, a delegation of six fishers, supported by two fisheries officers, gained firsthand knowledge on the construction and deployment of fish aggregating devices (FADs). FADs can be very effective in attracting fish in the open sea, thereby boosting production, exports, and economic impacts. The Turks and Caicos Islands hopes to also reap these long-term benefits from the recent fisher exchange. 

Representatives of Grenada, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the CRFM Secretariat based in Belize partnered to provide invaluable hands-on learning on FAD fishing technology for sustainable livelihoods 

(Photo: Minister of Blue Economy and Marine Affairs, Grenada)

 Grenada’s FAD technology has been modernized under the World Bank-funded project titled, Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC), which commenced implementation in 2022. However, Grenada was also one of six Member States of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) which benefited from the mainstreaming of FAD fishing technology under the Japan-funded Caribbean Fisheries Co-management (CARIFICO) project, implemented between 2012-2017 in partnership with the CRFM. Since then, the CRFM has been facilitating knowledge transfer to other Member States, building upon this foundational work. It previously facilitated a similar exchange through which Grenada also shared its FAD expertise with Jamaica. This exchange, executed through the fisheries authorities in Grenada and TCI, was also facilitated by the CRFM.

Grenada’s Minister of Blue Economy and Marine Affairs, Hon. Lennox Andrews, said: “I see this as one very good example where, as a people, we can come together and work together to share our knowledge, share experiences, and create the competence and the human resources that we all need to develop our region.”

CRFM Deputy Executive Director, Dr. Sandra Grant, noted that this fisher exchange will provide TCI fishers with an initial understanding of FAD technology and an opportunity to reflect on how it can be applied in the Turks and Caicos Islands to provide year-round income generation for fishers.

The goal of the fisher exchange was to strengthen regional fisheries cooperation and support sustainable livelihoods. The visit of the TCI delegation to Grenada provided valuable hands-on exposure to Grenada’s well-established FAD fishery, allowing participants to observe operations, fishing techniques, and the harvesting of key pelagic species, including yellowfin tunas weighing over 100 pounds. Participants also took part in the construction of FADs, gaining practical, technical experience that will be directly applicable to TCI’s planned FAD pilot programme. 

Turks and Caicos Islands fishers learn to build FADs in Grenada

(Photo: Minister of Blue Economy and Marine Affairs, Grenada)

By the end of the fisher exchange, it was clear that the Grenada experience—which enabled TCI fishers to witness the scale and efficiency of Grenada’s FAD operations—had a monumental impact upon the fishers who participated. In a closing session held last Thursday, Mr. David Clare said, “It’s the greatest fishing [technology] I’ve ever seen in my life, and it works perfectly!”

Another fisher, Mr. Kevin Harvey, noted how effective the FADs were in capturing fish in the middle of the ocean compared with trolling from shore to where the FADs had been deployed.

For his part, Mr. Dwaine Cox shared Mr. Clare’s enthusiasm for this invaluable learning opportunity. He said that they have been talking for a while about the need for the TCI to diversify its fishing industry, and the time has now come to do so.

 FADs deliver prized catch (105 lbs)

(Photo: Minister of Blue Economy and Marine Affairs, Grenada)

The Director of the TCI’s Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources Management, Mr. Alwyn R. Ponteen, stated: “The Department deeply values the traditional knowledge and dedication of the TCI fishers. They demonstrate a readiness to embrace new techniques with a progressive mindset. This programme represents a strategic and sustainable investment in the youths, men, and women who form the backbone of our fisheries sector. It also advances our collective commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 2, 8 and 14 - 'Zero Hunger', 'Decent Work and Economic Growth' and 'Life Below Water', respectively.”

Mr. Nigel Gibbs, Chief Fisheries Officer (Ag.), Fisheries Division, Grenada, said: “We do look forward to continued collaboration and believe that this is the beginning of a lasting Caribbean relationship that will grow stronger in the future."

The collaborators expressed their gratitude to Jamaica for its hospitality towards the TCI delegation during their stopover on their way to Grenada.

 The TCI delegation with Dr. Grant of the CRFM

(Photo: Minister of Blue Economy and Marine Affairs, Grenada)

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) remains resolute in its commitment to develop a sustainable FAD fishery as part of its Sustainable Livelihoods Strategy. TCIG plans to launch its FAD pilot programme in the coming months. This will include robust stakeholder consultations, FAD construction and deployment, development of a fisheries management plan grounded in best practices, and advancement of the necessary legislative reforms to support a sustainable FAD fishery.

– END –

Belize City, Friday, 28 April 2023 (CRFM)—The Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), comprised of Ministers responsible for fisheries from across the Caribbean Community, met on Thursday, 27 April 2023, to chart the way forward for the revitalization and expansion of the region’s fisheries and aquaculture sector—a goal which lies at the heart of the CRFM’s observance of its 20th Anniversary this year. During Thursday’s deliberations, the Ministers approved 32 resolutions, as they reviewed progress and mapped out sustainable solutions to challenges such as fisheries management; illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and fisheries crime; climate change and ocean acidification; imbalances in international trade; and Sargassum influxes which are expected to reach record levels this year. Furthermore, the Ministers provided guidance and policy direction to the CRFM Secretariat and Member States on harnessing the opportunities arising in the emerging Blue Economy, through initiatives such as a new multimillion-dollar regional project to promote blue economic growth.

Hon. Avinash Singh, Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Trinidad and Tobago, chaired the Seventeenth Meeting of the CRFM Ministerial Council. Trinidad and Tobago took over the reins of the Council from Hon. Parmanand Sewdien, Suriname’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, for a one-year term.

Hon. Singh acknowledged the contributions of the CRFM Secretariat in providing technical support to the Ministers during the proceedings, and for making impactful representations for Member States that benefit the entire region. He added that he looked forward to a very productive term ahead, as the CRFM continues to navigate the waters, in providing a sustainable future for the younger generations to follow. 

Ministers map out sustainable solutions to challenges such as fisheries management, climate change, capacity building, imbalances in international trade, and Sargassum influxes

CARICOM countries depend on fishing for food, social welfare, employment, and much more (Photo: CRFM) 

At their meeting on Thursday, the Ministers adopted the Protocol to the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy on Aquatic Foods as a Strategic Resource for Food and Nutrition Security—the third protocol adopted under the regional fisheries policy. The protocol’s objective is to recognize, promote, and support the sustainable use of fish, shellfish, marine plants and seafood as a strategic resource for food and nutrition security for the peoples of the Caribbean.

Although fish production in our region is expanding, the Caribbean is still a major importer of fish and seafood. However, CRFM’s Executive Director, Mr. Milton Haughton, noted that there are projects and initiatives being implemented that should improve availability and access to safe and affordable fish and seafood to the people of the region. He announced that a US$48 million project—the CAF/FAO/CRFM/GEF/Caribbean Blue Economy Project entitled, Promoting National Blue Economy Priorities Through Marine Spatial Planning in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem Plus or the BE-CLME+ Project—should commence around July 2023. The Fisheries Ministers welcomed the final approval of the Project Document by the Global Environment Fund (GEF) in November 2022, paving the way for the disbursement of funds and commencement of the project. The funding includes a US$25 million line of credit co-financed by the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) for fisheries enterprises in the private sector to upgrade their capacities and develop fisheries value chains.

 Mr. Milton Haughton, Executive Director, 

Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (Photo: CRFM)

The Ministers also welcomed the updates on the efforts by the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism and the New Zealand Plant and Food Research (PFR), under the project entitled, Sargassum Products for Climate Resilience in the Caribbean. With support from New Zealand, technical experts in agronomy, technology, engineering and business development, the CRFM and PFR are pursuing the production of liquid fertilizers, compost, and other potential products, while ensuring that any health risks associated with doing so are eliminated through the processing of the Sargassum. Haughton noted that there is a great need for affordable fertilizers for agriculture, much of which is imported. The University of the West Indies and Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) are key partners in this initiative. The intention is to develop processes, technologies, products, and business models that can be made available to potential entrepreneurs from the region, thereby creating jobs and economic activities while mitigating the negative environmental, health and socio-economic impacts of the Sargassum seaweed.

The Ministers issued a strong resolution establishing a roadmap to strengthen measures to prevent “ghost fishing” or abandoned, lost and otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), which is one of the most harmful forms of marine debris. Since 2018, the CRFM and the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) have collaborated on prevention, mitigation, remediation, predictive modeling and capacity sharing work in the Caribbean. The CRFM Secretariat will now execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the GGGI for enhanced cooperation and coordination in addressing ghost fishing in the region.

 Sargassum sampling for testing off the coast of Belize in 2021, during phase 1 of the project (Photo: CRFM)

The Ministers commended the CRFM Secretariat and international development partners for the significant work done and outputs achieved during the past programme year. This body of work included various policies developed and adopted, projects advanced, technical publications completed, training and capacity building support provided, and advances in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and fisheries crime, improving sanitary and phytosanitary systems, strengthening data and information systems, as well as significant contributions to international processes.

This included the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, which was adopted on 17 June 2022, after 21 years of talks. The Ministers urged Member States to take the necessary actions to accept and implement the agreement as soon as possible. However, they are asking Member States to consult all key stakeholders to ensure that all relevant issues are taken into account and that the full implications of the agreement are understood prior to accepting and enshrining it into national law or policies. They furthermore urged Member States to continue working with the CARICOM and CRFM Secretariats in the process of acceptance and implementation of the agreement, and also the future negotiations to address the remaining issues and gaps that could not have been addressed when the current agreement was concluded in 2022.

The Ministers also took note of the recent conclusion of international negotiations that resulted in the formulation of the UN Agreement on Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction in March 2023, and they urged Member States to take advantage of the opportunities to obtain tangible, sustainable benefits from the biodiversity in the marine areas beyond national jurisdiction.

The Fisheries Ministers welcomed the development of the Regional Strategic Framework for Cooperation between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and CARICOM Member States (2020-2026). The Ministers are asking the CRFM Secretariat to work with the IAEA, which has the largest marine lab in the world, located in Monaco, and other regional partners to facilitate and coordinate cooperation activities in fisheries management, aquaculture development, marine biodiversity conservation, ocean acidification, combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and seafood fraud, and other relevant areas where the expertise of IAEA can add value.

The policymakers also endorsed the Convention on Biological Diversity Global Biodiversity Framework , which was adopted by the 15th Conference of Parties to the Convention in December 2022. The Convention on Biological Biodiversity is a global treaty adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992. The framework sets out the global biodiversity agenda for the next decade, with the overarching goal of living in harmony with nature by 2050—a vision which the CARICOM Fisheries Ministers also endorsed.

The Council reviewed the status of a request made to FAO and reaffirmed the priority accorded to that request, for securing the services of the modern Norwegian marine survey vessel, the Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, to conduct a comprehensive survey of the marine resources in the offshore waters of CARICOM States, to support blue economic development and sustainable use of the living marine resources.

The Council is due to meet again in special session in October 2023.

– ENDS – 

Belize City, Tuesday, 27 April 2021 (CRFM)—The Caribbean Fisheries Forum, the technical and advisory arm of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), is convening its 19^th Meeting this week. High on the agenda are updates on the status and trends in the fisheries and aquaculture sector; Coronavirus impacts and post COVID-19 reorientation of the fisheries sector; the sustainable management and use of fisheries resources; as well as matters related to the Sargassum seaweed, blue economic growth, climate change and fisheries, mainstreaming gender issues in fisheries, and the sustainable development of aquaculture.

Representatives from 17 Member States of the CRFM, as well as Observer entities are expected to attend and participate when the meeting convenes on 27 and 28 April 2021. The participants will also be engaged in plenary sessions on policy development, collaboration with other bodies, as well as broader issues of international significance, such as the World Trade Organization Fisheries Subsidies Negotiation, the UN Agreement on the Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), and combatting international fisheries crimes.

For the past year, Saint Lucia has served as Chair of the Caribbean Fisheries Forum. At the upcoming meeting, Members are expected to elect a new chair and vice chair of the Forum, and determine the new composition of the Executive Committee of the Forum.

The Forum is also expected to formulate a set of recommendations for action by the CRFM Ministerial Council, due to meet in May 2021.