PRESS RELEASE: Technical experts discuss updated plan for Eastern Caribbean flyingfish fishery

The state of the Eastern Caribbean flyingfish and the updated sub-regional flyingfish Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) for this valuable and shared resource were discussed at the Special Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Flyingfish in the Eastern Caribbean, convened in Barbados on 1-2 October, 2018. This Working Group, which is constituted by the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), plays an important role in monitoring, evaluating and advising on the implementation of the sub-regional flyingfish FMP, which is supported by an ecosystem approach to management of flyingfish sub-project under the UNDP/GEF Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (CLME+) Project. The Working Group will also contribute to the regional state of the marine environment and associated economies report as well as to monitoring and evaluation of the CLME+ Strategic Action Programme.

Attending the meeting were Chief Fisheries Officers, as well as representatives of fisherfolk organizations, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, and development partners such as FAO-WECAFC, the University of the West Indies (UWI), the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), and the French Marine Research Agency – IFREMER.

“This meeting of the Joint CRFM/WECAFC Working Group on Flyingfish is timely and important given the challenges we face in the region from climate related changes affecting the marine environment and flyingfish stocks, and ultimately the livelihoods and food security of thousands of persons engaged along the entire flyingfish value chain,” said Milton Haughton, Executive Director of the CRFM.

The entire Press Release can be found in the attached document and on the CRFM Secretariat’s website at www.crfm.int.

Civil society sets priorities to support management of shared marine resources in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems

Participants from the regional workshop to develop the CLME+ Civil Society Action Programme (C-SAP)
Participants from the regional workshop to develop the CLME+ Civil Society Action Programme (C-SAP)

Port of Spain, February 27, 2018 – Representatives of 18 civil society organisations (CSOs) and small and micro enterprises (SMEs) from 14 countries within the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems region (CLME+ region) met in Trinidad and Tobago, from January 16 – 19, to develop a Civil Society Action Programme (C-SAP), that would contribute to strengthening the role, participation and ownership of civil society actors in the implementation of the politically endorsed 10-year Strategic Action Programme for the Sustainable Management of the Shared Living Marine Resources in the CLME+ region (CLME+ SAP). The vision of the CLME+ SAP is “a healthy marine environment in the CLME+ that provides benefits and livelihoods for the well-being of the people of the region”.

Continue reading “Civil society sets priorities to support management of shared marine resources in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems”

UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project launches consultancy to identify options for a Permanent Policy Coordination Mechanism and a Sustainable Financing Plan for ocean governance in the CLME+ Region

In November 2017, the UNDP/GEF Project “Catalysing the Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the Sustainable Management of Shared Living Marine Resources in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems” (http://www.clmeproject.org) awarded a consultancy to identify Options for a regional Permanent Policy Coordination Mechanism and a strengthened Regional Governance Framework for shared living marine resources and ocean governance in the CLME+ Region, with a Sustainable Financing Plan. The mandate for this consultancy arises from the CLME+ Strategic Action Programme, which was politically endorsed by over 30 government ministers representing 25 countries and 6 overseas territories in the CLME+ region. Leading the consultancy is the Centre of Partnerships for Development, based in Barcelona, Spain (https://globalcad.org/en), with the Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies as the advisory group. The consultants will work closely with the countries that have endorsed the CLME+ Strategic Action Programme (CLME+ Countries), multiple Inter-Governmental Organisations, and other stakeholders in the region. Continue reading “UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project launches consultancy to identify options for a Permanent Policy Coordination Mechanism and a Sustainable Financing Plan for ocean governance in the CLME+ Region”

Coordination Mechanism for Improved Ocean Governance between Regional Organisations in the Caribbean Formalised

Press Release – for immediate release

August 8,  2017 – The Interim Coordination Mechanism (ICM) for the “Sustainable Management, Use and Protection of the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems” (the CLME+ region) has been formally established on July 27 through the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by 5 member inter-regional governmental organisations. Continue reading “Coordination Mechanism for Improved Ocean Governance between Regional Organisations in the Caribbean Formalised”

OSPESCA and CCAD signing the Memorandum of Understanding of the CLME+ SAP Interim Coordination Mechanism

Signing process of framework for enhanced collaboration among 8 Inter-Governmental Organizations working on the Caribbean Marine Environment initiated on July 7th.

Continue reading “OSPESCA and CCAD signing the Memorandum of Understanding of the CLME+ SAP Interim Coordination Mechanism”

World Oceans Day 2017 – “Our Oceans, Our Future”

Puntarenas, Costa Rica. 8 to 9 June 2017 – Hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica and UN Environment

The CLME+ Project Coordination Unit and several of the CLME+ Project Partners participated in the Global Dialogue on Oceans, an event that raised awareness of the threats facing the oceans and affirmed commitments to reduce pollution and achieve SDG 14 on the sustainable use of the ocean.

Continue reading “World Oceans Day 2017 – “Our Oceans, Our Future””

CLME+ Initiatives Highlighted at the UN Ocean Conference

The 10-year Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the CLME+ region, the 5 year UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project and the forthcoming establishment of a global “CLME+ Alliance & Partnership” for the sustainable management, use and protection of marine resources” were among the different CLME+ initiatives highlighted by the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) and Project Partners at the recently concluded UN Ocean Conference in New York (5-9 June 2017).

Continue reading “CLME+ Initiatives Highlighted at the UN Ocean Conference”

CLME+ region taking a lead on regional integration amongst fisheries and environmental agencies

Eight Inter-Governmental Organizations (IGO’s): UN Environment Caribbean Environment Programme (UN Environment CEP); Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO-WECAFC); Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/IOCARIBE) of UNESCO; Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat; Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM); Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD); Organisation of the Central American Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector (OSPESCA); and the Commission of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) met from 25-26 May in Miami in a meeting facilitated by the CLME+ Project.

Continue reading “CLME+ region taking a lead on regional integration amongst fisheries and environmental agencies”

Central “CLME+” Web Portal launched on World Ocean Day

The “CLME+ Hub” was pre-launched on World Ocean Day on June 9th 2017. The Hub is accessible via the URL www.clmeplus.org, and will support the mobilisation and progressive expansion of the global “CLME+ Alliance and Partnership” for the sustainable management and use of marine resources in the CLME+ region.

Continue reading “Central “CLME+” Web Portal launched on World Ocean Day”

Towards the institutionalization of the CLME+ SAP Monitoring & Evaluation mechanisms

The institutionalization process for the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) mechanism for the 10-year CLME+ Strategic Action Programme (SAP) is moving well ahead.

Continue reading “Towards the institutionalization of the CLME+ SAP Monitoring & Evaluation mechanisms”