Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) – Overview A presentation by the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Secretariat Prepared by S. Singh-Renton Programme Manager, Research and resource Assessment, CRFM Secretariat

1. The CRFM - History and rationale 2. CRFM Core Structure and Functions 3. Ongoing and recent fisheries management challenges for the region 4. Major CRFM achievements providing opportunity and direction for addressing challenges and fulfilling goals PRESENTATION LAYOUT

1. The CRFM - History and Rationale

NEED FOR REGIONAL COLLABORATION?? REGION’S MAJOR FISHERY RESOURCES SHARED OR SHARED CONCERNS Regional Body Actively coordinating management ShrimpYesNone Lobster and conchYesNone Large pelagicYesICCAT (not dolphinfish) Small coastal pelagic (including flyingfish) YesNone Reef and slopeYes (shared shelves)None GroundfishYesNone

CIDACARICOM National Fishery Management systems HISTORY & RATIONALE (1) CFRAMP – CARICOM Fisheries Resource Assessment and Management Programme ( ) Training Resource Assessment Regional Fisheries Mechanism CARIBBEAN REGIONAL FISHERIES MECHANISM (CRFM) ( 2002 agreement )

HISTORY & RATIONALE (2) CRFM Objectives:- Efficient management and sustainable development of fishery resources within the jurisdictions of Member States; Promotion and establishment of co-operative arrangements among interested States for the efficient management of shared, straddling or highly migratory fishery resources; Provision of technical advisory and consultative services to Member States in the development, management and conservation of their fishery resources.

2. CRFM Core Structure & Functions

Ministerial Council (DECISION-MAKING ORGAN) Caribbean Fisheries Forum (FISHERIES MANAGEMENT & SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY ORGAN) The Technical Unit (CRFM SECRETARIAT) CRFM IS A MANAGEMENT ADVISORY & REGULATORY BODY CARICOM COUNCILS (COTED & COFCOR) RESOURCE & TECHNICAL WORKING GROUPS & COMMITTEES CRFM OBSERVERS (CARISEC, OECS, UWI, CNFO, FAO)

STRATEGY MANAGEMENT PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION Fisheries 3-tier management system

Fisheries Management – Definition & the Management Cycle Consultati on Policy Manageme nt Planning Data and researc h Assessment advice, & consultation Manageme nt actions FAO DEFINITION: The integrated process of information gathering, analysis, planning, consultation, decision-making, allocation of resources and formulation and implementation, with enforcement, as necessary, of regulations or rules which govern fisheries activities in order to ensure the continued productivity of the resources and accomplishment of other fisheries objectives.

DATA COLLECTORS, DATA MANAGERS DATA COLLECTORS, DATA MANAGERS FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AT CRFM REGIONAL LEVEL DIRECT USERS OF THE RESOURCE & OTHER STAKEHOLDERS (E.G. FISHERS, FISHERFOLK GROUPS, PROCESSORS) Caribbean Fisheries Forum (Fisheries Directors) Caribbean Fisheries Forum (Fisheries Directors) CRFM Ministerial Council (policy/ decision-makers) CRFM Ministerial Council (policy/ decision-makers) Fisheries Directors Fisheries Directors ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING (FISHERIES SCIENTISTS) ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING (FISHERIES SCIENTISTS) Regional fisherfolk organisation

3. Ongoing and Recent Fisheries Management Challenges for the Region

Aquatic Ecosystem Sustainability Fishing activities Other activities (agriculture runoff, soil runoff, tourism, coastal development, sewage runoff ) Global Environmental/ Climate change Harvest operations Vessel and gear technologies Investment opportunities Employment opportunities Global Environmental / Climate change Consumption Human population size Trade balance Food security Global Environmental/ Climate Change Functional Levels of Fishing Industry & Major Influencing Factors

1.Global shift towards implementing Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) to take into account inter-dependence of organisms, and the inter-dependence of human demands on the ecosystem 2.Consideration of global environmental change and climate change impacts 3.Application of the precautionary and other common sense approaches, e.g. input controls such as limited user licenses 4.In view of 1, there will be a need to develop functional multiple-level governance networks and partnerships for an integrated & compatible policy 5.Public education and political will POLICY/ STRATEGY/ DECISION-MAKING LEVEL

Multiple level network – Tuna fishery example UN FAO ICCAT Carib’n RFOs + ICCAT NFAs with technical advisory arm SUB-REGIONAL NATIONAL

1.Holistic approaches in data, research, analysis, and management advice formulation are required to address multiple goals of all stakeholders: biological, ecological, environmental, social and economic 2.Achieving effective coordination and collaboration among projects and partners 3.Maintaining focus and direction on long term goals, especially during implementation of short-term projects 4. Limited institutional and human resource capacity SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL ADVISORY LEVEL

4. Major CRFM achievements providing opportunity and direction for addressing challenges and fulfilling goals

Ministerial Council (DECISION-MAKING ORGAN) Caribbean Fisheries Forum (FISHERIES MANAGEMENT & SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY ORGAN) The Technical Unit (CRFM SECRETARIAT) CRFM IS A MANAGEMENT ADVISORY & REGULATORY BODY CARICOM COUNCILS (COTED & COFCOR) RESOURCE & TECHNICAL WORKING GROUPS & COMMITTEES CRFM OBSERVERS (CARISEC, OECS, UWI, CNFO, FAO)

AT POLICY AND DECISION-MAKING LEVEL  CRFM Ministerial Council  CRFM Ministerial Council holds separate meetings to make decisions on common fisheries issues at regional level.  Caribbean Fisheries Forum (CFF) handles shared concerns  Common Fisheries Policy & Regime  Common Fisheries Policy & Regime, requested by Heads Of Govs to address a range of fisheries issues under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) initiative  Establishment of Regional Fisherfolk Organization & network, now with formal recognized representation at CRFM meetings.  Improved participation in ICCAT management activities that has provided better protection of large pelagic fishing investments  Regional Declaration to reduce Illegal fishing and its impacts  Formulation and commencement of key projects and partnerships (e.g. CLME; JICA; ACP Fish II; UNU FTP (Iceland))

AT SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL ADVISORY LEVEL  Caribbean Fisheries Forum (CFF) meets annually (advisory body to Council)  CRFM annual scientific meetings  CRFM annual scientific meetings to evaluate the health status of fisheries and to recommend management options. Publishes annual fishery reports (>46 fisheries analysed since 2004).  CRFM Working Group on Data, Methods & Training  CRFM Working Group on Data, Methods & Training pursues options to improve data, assessment methods, & scientific capacity  CARIFIS software and database, developed to harmonize standards of data collection and storage among CRFM States  Improved contributions to ICCAT scientific activities that build responsible fishing profile internationally

FISHERY RESOURCE ANALYSES CONDUCTED BY CRFM DURING SPINY LOBSTERBAHAMAS, BELIZE, JAMAICA, ST. LUCIA, TCI04, QUEEN CONCHBAHAMAS, JAMAICA, ST. LUCIA, TCI06-09 SERRA SPANISH MACKERELTRINIDAD & TOBAGO04 WAHOOBARBADOS, DOMINICA, GRENADA, ST. LUCIA, SVG04, 07 KING MACKERELTRINIDAD & TOBAGO06-07 DOLPHINFISHBARBADOS, DOMINICA, GRENADA, ST. LUCIA, SVG06 CREVALLE JACKTRINIDAD & TOBAGO08 RED HINDST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES, MONTSERRAT04, 09 NASSAU GROUPERBELIZE07 QUEEN TRIGGERFISHMONTSERRAT09 BIGEYE SCAD, MACKEREL SCAD, ROUND SCAD GRENADA, ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES04 BIGEYE SCAD, MACKEREL SCADST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES09 PINK SHRIMP, SEABOBTRINIDAD & TOBAGO04 BROWN SHRIMPSURINAME07 ATLANTIC SEABOBGUYANA, SURINAME06-09 SHRIMP FISHERIESTRINIDAD & TOBAGO06 RED SNAPPERGUYANA06 LANE SNAPPERTRINIDAD & TOBAGO06 SEATROUT & BANGAMARYGUYANA07 WHITEMOUTH CROAKERTRINIDAD & TOBAGO08

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