In CRFM countries, national Agriculture Health and Food Safety (AHFS) systems and domestic find it challenging to meet or comply with international SPS standards for trade in fisheries products. This has resulted in reduced access to global and regional markets due to insufficient capacity to ensure the sanitary and phytosanitary status that trading partners require. A plethora of factors undermine the effectiveness of SPS systems in the Region. Recently, several national and regional interventions have addressed these challenges to varying extents; requirements for trade change and evolve to meet the needs of external consumers, and so our countries must continuously work to strengthen their SPS controls; such systems being key to allow our countries the opportunity to benefit fully from trade opportunities in European and other international markets. Also, at the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Governments of the Region established a five-year target to reduce the food import bill by twenty-five percent (CARICOM Agrifood Plan 2020). As a result of this goal, the Region is now placing greater emphasis on intra-regional trade to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the regional food supply chain. The framework to achieve these targets has been set out in a framework and action plan which provide the road map to reorient and transform the regional food system to be more resilient and sustainable. These documents recognise the importance of adopting SPS standards and food safety protocols to attain the targets established. 

This webinar highlighted the perspectives of various stakeholders on the development of competitive fisheries value chains within the context of blue economic growth. CARICOM's key priorities addressing blue economy planning include the development of fish and seafood value chains. One of the CRFM's strategic priorities is improving the welfare and sustainable livelihoods of fishing and aquaculture communities in Member States, through enhancing the role and contribution of Fisheries and Aquaculture within the blue economy, by strengthening the region's competitive advantage, product development and value addition, and the overall profitability of fisheries and aquaculture. The CRFM recognises the potential of the Blue Economy and in particular small-scale fisheries and aquaculture (SSF/A) to provide food, jobs, livelihoods and a source of sustainable social and economic growth and development for Member States. It is estimated that 90 percent of the people employed along capture fisheries value chains operate in small-scale fisheries. Aquatic value chains involve all the activities and services--from preharvest to post harvest--and includes innovations which will make them more efficient, transparent, responsive, inclusive and equitable. 

CARICOM countries have recognised the important role of fisheries in the CARICOM region and its significant contribution to food and nutrition security, employment, economic and the social well-being of the people of the region. Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and transnational organized crime in the global fishing industry are a serious threat to the security and sustainable use of the living marine resources and marine biodiversity.

Data indicate a steady increase in what appears to be illegal fishing between 2014 and the present. Mindful of this, the CRFM Secretariat has continued its efforts and collaborations geared towards deterring, disrupting, preventing, and combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

This webinar will provide insights into the issues impacting on addressing IUU and Fisheries Crime in CRFM States over the past 20 years, mindful of recent initiatives such as Member States’ signing on to the International Declaration on Transnational Organised Crime in the Global Fishing Industry (a.k.a. the Copenhagen Declaration) and the launching of a Caribbean Blue Justice Hub.

What is Ghost Fishing?

Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), also known as 'ghost gear,' is a threat to the welfare of Caribbean communities, especially fishing and coastal communities, and to marine life.

Ghost gear  is any fishing gear that is discarded, lost, or abandoned in the marine environment and continues to trap and kill fish and other marine species, as well as damage the habitat. Ghost fishing gear such as nets, traps and pots, is one of the main types of marine debris impacting the marine environment, fish and other marine species. It is caused by several factors, including adverse weather; illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; loss of fishing gear; and the deliberate dumping of gear at sea.

Purpose of Webinar

The purpose of this webinar is to explore the challenges associated with ghost fishing in the Caribbean, as well as some of the practical, cost-effective, and environmentally sound options for tackling the problem.

This webinar will provide an overview of the status of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear in the Caribbean; present efforts made by the CRFM, including those in partnership with the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), to address the problem; and options for the way forward. 

CRFM Member States and partners including Global Ghost Gear Initiative will share their experiences, successes, and future plans, as well as their collaborative work to reduce and eventually eliminate ALDFG in Caribbean waters.

The webinar will also provide perspectives from stakeholders and partners on the challenges which confront the Caribbean in addressing the problem.

BACKGROUND

As countries across the globe conduct the first global stocktake of where the world stands on climate action and to pave the way forward for accelerating collective efforts to address this existential threat, the Caribbean—one of the most vulnerable regions in the world—needs to also take stock and chart its own course of action.

The Secretariat of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), in collaboration with other regional partners, remains committed to supporting Member States in adapting to the impacts of climate change and building resilience in the fisheries and aquaculture sector to protect livelihoods, assets, and ecosystems, as well as health and safety, food security, and cultural practices.

Subsequent to the endorsement of the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP) by the CRFM Ministerial Council in 2011, the Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management in Fisheries and Aquaculture in the CARICOM Region: Regional Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2030 was developed. This strategy is consistent with the Caribbean Community’s Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change and the associated Implementation Plan, as well as the Comprehensive Disaster Strategy and Programme Framework.

As we conclude our 20th Anniversary Technical Events Series, the CRFM will host an open webinar on Building Resilience to Climate Change, Ocean Acidification, and Disaster Risk Management in Fisheries & Aquaculture. The webinar will be convened on the heels of the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (CoP 28), also known as the UN Climate Change Conference of 30 November - 12 December, 2023.

Purpose of Webinar

The purpose of this CRFM webinar, to be convened on Monday, 18 December 2023, is to build awareness on the global climate stocktake at CoP 28 from a Caribbean perspective, while highlighting strategies and actions for building resilience to climate change, ocean acidification, and disaster risk management in fisheries and aquaculture. This will foster sustainable development of a regional fisheries and aquaculture sector that is resilient to climate change and ocean acidification, through research and integrated, adaptive planning and policy development, awareness and capacity building, and regulatory reforms.