Georgetown, Guyana, 10 October 2013--During the 12^th Caribbean Week of Agriculture held in Guyana, the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation (CTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which provides an overall framework for cooperation between the two organizations on projects and other activities for the ultimate benefit of fisheries development in CARICOM/CARIFORUM countries.

The MoU was signed by Mr Milton Haughton, Executive Director of CRFM and Mr Michael Hailu, CTA Director. Based on the mandates and comparative advantages of the two institutions the MoU covers cooperation areas related to: development and implementation of policies and strategies in fisheries aquaculture and related sector; climate change adaptation and disaster risk management; strategies for mainstreaming precautionary and ecosystem approaches in fisheries and aquaculture management; review, adoption and implementation of the International Guidelines in Securing Small-Scale Fisheries; development of fisheries value chains, including intra-regional trading in fish and fish products; combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Other areas include maximizing the potential of ICTs for information and knowledge management, capacity building as well as facilitation of joint learning and strengthening inter-regional cooperation between the Caribbean States and the ACP regions.

CTA and CRFM agree to work with third party organizations, including government agencies of member countries of both organisations, in addition to private entities so as to improve adoption and use of research findings, resources mobilization, access to sources of relevant information and knowledge, and outreach and impact The signing took place in the presence of ministerial and technical officials from CARIFORUM countries, as well as, the executives of key agricultural institutions who are attending the 12^th CWA.