March 1, 2017 – Three Regional Fisheries Bodies – CRFM, OSPESCA and WECAFC-FAO – met on the afternoon of the 28 February 2017 at the UN House in Barbados to discuss opportunities for enhanced collaboration related to important fisheries management topics identified under the 10-year politically approved CLME+ Strategic Action Programme (SAP).
Observers from the Centre for Resource Management & Environmental Studies – University of the West Indies, Cavehill Campus (UWI-CERMES) were also invited to participate in the meeting of the Interim Fisheries Coordination Mechanism for the Sustainable Fisheries, as under the CLME+ Project UWI-CERMES is responsible for assisting the region test and implement the CLME+ Regional Governance Framework.
Topics discussed during the meeting included:
- Measures to support the implementation of the approved Queen Conch Management Plan under Sub-Strategy 4B of the CLME+ SAP
- Spiny Lobster Sub-Project implemented by OSPESCA on behalf of the UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project
- Flyingfish Sub-Project implemented by CRFM on behalf of the UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project
- Shrimp and Groundfish Sub-Project to be implemented by FAO on behalf of the UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project
- WECAFC reorientation process
- Regional Plan of Action for Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
- Increased collaboration and cooperation between fisheries and environmental agencies at the national and regional level
In January 2016, CRFM, OSPESCA and WECAFC-FAO entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise an interim arrangement to facilitate, support and strengthen the coordination of actions, among the organisations for sustainable fisheries in the Western Central Atlantic.
The meeting of the three Regional Fisheries Bodies was supported by the UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project.
