CRFM Endorses Protocol Under Chairmanship of Osborne

The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) under the Chairmanship of the Hon. David Osborne endorsed a protocol for securing small-scale fisheries in the region.

The protocol addresses principles and standards for securing and strengthening small-scale fisheries.

The Ministerial Council endorsed the Protocol during the 12th meeting held in Montserrat last Friday and agreed on the need for immediate implementation.

CRFM Executive Director, Milton Haughton said small-scale fisheries are the mainstay of the fisheries industry, both in the region andaround the globe.

He said that small-scale fisheries accounts for more than 95% of fisheries in CARICOM and are vital for food security and employment, particularly in coastal communities. Globally, it accounts for 90% of all the fisheries produced, Haughton said.

He explained that the Protocol had been developed within the framework of the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP), accepted by CRFM Member States in 2014.

The protocol, which addresses principles and standards for securing and strengthening small-scale fisheries, is the first protocol under the CCCFP, he added.

The Ministerial Council called on regional and international development partners and donors to support the Protocol on small-scale fisheries and to assist Member States with implementing it as well as the CCCFP, to improve fisheries and aquaculture governance,as well as management in the region.

Meanwhile...The Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Secretariat says they are working assiduously on a strategy to deal with the reality of climate change and its impact on the fisheries industry in the region

Milton Haughton says it is critically-important that the Caribbean seek to implement collective adaptation measures to mitigate risks to the fisheries sector.

He was at the time addressing a press conference at the recent 12th meeting of the ministerial council of the CRFM, held here.