BELIZE CITY – Members of the technical and advisory arm of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) will have a packed agenda when they hold their 19th annual meeting this week.
Apart from electing a new executive committee, representatives of the 17 member states and observer entities will examine a number of issues facing the fishing industry in the Caribbean.
There will be updates on the status and trends in the fisheries and aquaculture, as well as the impact that COVID-19 viral illness has had and will have on the sector.
Members will also discuss the sustainable management and use of fisheries resources, along with matters related to the sargassum seaweed, blue economic growth, climate change and fisheries, mainstreaming gender issues in fisheries, and the sustainable development of aquaculture.
Participants will also be engaged in plenary sessions on policy development, collaboration with other bodies, as well as broader issues of international significance such as the World Trade Organisation fisheries subsidies negotiation, the United Nations agreement on the marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction and combatting international fisheries crimes.
The Forum is also expected to formulate a set of recommendations for action by the CRFM ministerial council, which is scheduled to meet next month. (AR)
