Saint Vincent and Grenadines, 12 May 2025 (CNFO)—The National Fisherfolk Organisation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), with the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO), is implementing a workshop: “Promoting fisher-led implementation of SSF Guidelines in the Caribbean Region." Partners are Sandals Resorts International (SVG) and CSFUND. The workshop is being held from May 12-13, 2025 at the Sandals Resort's conference room in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The CNFO has participated in the development of both the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP) and the global policy, the Voluntary Guidelines on Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the context of food security and poverty eradication (or the SSF Guidelines). 

The network was instrumental in having the SSF Guidelines enshrined into the first protocol of the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy. Although the SSF guidelines is imbedded within the fisheries policy of the Caribbean Community, there is limited focus on active implementation while SSF fishers are increasingly being challenged by NGO agendas, climate change, ecosystem degradation, marine protected areas (MPAs) and marine spatial planning (MSP), and so called “Blue Economy” initiatives. 

The objectives of this meeting are:

• Build awareness and understanding of regional and global fisheries policy, namely the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy, and the Voluntary Guidelines on Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the context of food security and poverty eradication;
• Develop draft advocacy plans for fishers to address major concerns;
• Develop draft plans for fisher-led implementation of the SSF Guidelines;
• Build awareness of the CNFO’s Regional Code of Conduct;
• Fisheries value chain discussions; and
• Marketing of fish in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The National Fisherfolk Organisation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines joins the regional network in spearheading the active implementation of these policy documents, as one of the means to improve fishers’ lives in the region. The SSF Guidelines place the people (small-scale fishers) at the centre of development in a clearly synergistic manner with the Sustainable Development Goals.

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PRESS CONTACT:
NAME: Winsbert Harry
PHONE: +1 (784) 495-2008
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About CNFO: The Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO) is a regional network of small-scale fisherfolk and their organisations operating across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The network is committed to the realization of profitable and sustainable fisheries that support fisherfolk's livelihoods, promote effective ecosystem-based management of fisheries resources, contribute to food security for Caribbean communities, and increase resilience to risks, including climate change. For more information on CNFO, see: https://cnfo.fish/.

Disclaimer: This press release was shared by the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations, and the views expressed herein are those of the CNFO and not necessarily those of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism.

The Objective of the workshop is to develop policy recommendations to be presented  by a CNFO representative at the Meeting of The Alliance for Sustainable Development of Agriculture and the Rural Milieu in the Wider Caribbean.

Across the Caribbean, the fisheries sector employs over 182,000 persons, directly or indirectly. Whereas commercial fisheries play a key role in helping to secure foreign exchange earnings in the region, small-scale fisheries is far more dominant in supplying badly needed jobs, as well as ensuring food security and good nutrition across states.