The Caribbean Fisheries Forum, comprising 17 heads of fisheries authorities across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), convened its 24th Regular Meeting this week. The Forum, which provides technical guidance to the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), began on Thursday, 23 April, with discussions on the CRFM’s Seventh Biennial Work Plan (2026–2027). The plan outlines the framework for advancing fisheries and aquaculture development across the region. Today’s agenda focuses on regional and international developments, as well as the current status and trends in the sector.
Dr. Marc Williams, Executive Director of the CRFM, emphasized the importance of cooperation among Member States, citing the transboundary nature of fish stocks. He noted that the Forum offers a platform to share data, address challenges such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, climate change, habitat degradation, and overfishing, and coordinate policies that protect resources while supporting livelihoods. He added that the Forum strengthens partnerships among governments, fisherfolk organizations, researchers, and nongovernmental organizations to harmonize plans, improve enforcement, and attract funding for joint projects.
On Thursday, elections were held for new leadership positions. Mr. Ian Horsford, Chief Fisheries Officer of Antigua and Barbuda, was elected Chair, succeeding Mr. Remone Johnson of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Horsford highlighted the role of the CRFM in advancing multilateral cooperation for sustainable fisheries and the blue economy.
The two-day meeting, concluding today, addresses sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture, with attention to climate change adaptation, innovation, and renewable energy integration in seafood value chains. Discussions also include combating IUU fishing and fisheries crime, as well as gender mainstreaming in fisheries.
The Forum is providing technical guidance on two new protocols under the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy: one on marine spatial planning and another on aquatic foods traceability. Deliberations also extend to international agreements, including the World Trade Organization Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, the BBNJ Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution.
This week’s Forum meeting precedes the 20th Regular Meeting of the CRFM Ministerial Council, which will bring together Ministers from CRFM Member States.
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