Protection for Caribbean Fishers

Regional governments are moving to protect fishers who depend on marine spaces across the Caribbean by enacting stronger management of the area.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, said traceability of seafood is now a global requirement and Caribbean countries must strengthen their ability to track fish through the supply chain to build transparency and confidence among buyers.

Moreover, the region is committed to ending illegal fishing and tightening its regional framework to help manage how the sea is used, he noted.

Mr. Green was addressing a press briefing for the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) at the Ocean Coral Spring Resort in Trelawny on Friday, October 2.

“We do appreciate that our marine space is coming under extreme pressure for multiple uses, that we have to ensure that our fishers have the space to operate,” Mr. Green outlined.

The Minister said the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) assessment found skills gaps among member countries, and that this will now be addressed so that decisions taken at forums like the CWA can be carried out.

He added that CRFM and Jamaica’s National Fisheries Authority hosted a session during the six-day event, which began on September 27, to honour “heroes of the blue economy” with awards.

In the meantime, Mr. Green stated that labour shortages also need to be addressed, pointing out that regional models could provide solutions to the workforce challenges facing Caribbean agriculture.

Mr. Green said the ultimate goal of CWA is to ensure that farmers and fishers receive better support, improved productivity and more dependable markets, while consumers benefit from a more reliable food supply.

“We must ensure that officials, young entrepreneurs and our farmers can participate in the growth,” he underscored.

Mr. Green also welcomed the strong participation of the private sector and noted that the next step is to convert discussions into viable projects and investment opportunities that span production, processing, storage and distribution.