This report is the second of four outputs in this initiative of CRFM and FAO on ‘Climate change adaptation and disaster risk management in fisheries and aquaculture in the CARICOM region’. The aim is to develop a strategy and action plan for integrating DRM, CCA and fisheries and aquaculture, with a focus on small-scale fisheries (SSF) and small-scale aquaculture.

This strategy and action plan is built upon, and integrates into, core policy documents. The regional policy context is primarily the ‘Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change’ (the Regional Framework) that articulates CARICOM’s strategy on climate change. CARICOM Heads of Government endorsed the Regional Framework at their July 2009 meeting in Guyana and issued the Liliendaal Declaration which sets out key climate change related interests and aims of CARICOM Member States. Based on the Liliendaal Declaration is the Implementation Plan (IP) for the Regional Framework. It is entitled ‘Delivering transformational change 2011 - 2021’ and incorporated several global to regional instruments concerning climate change and variability.See volume 1 for references and a comprehensive list of recommended further reading.

Fisheries and aquaculture initiatives in the CARICOM region should be integrated into the IP and take into account the CARICOM and OECS approaches to climate change that integrate DRM. Inclusion of, or collaboration with, non-CARICOM Caribbean countries in the IP also needs to be cnsidered. The CDEMA Enhanced CDM Framework for 2007-2012 is another core document that emphasises in Outcome 4 the need to focus on community level adaptation and management. The fourteenth session of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC), held in Panama in February 2012, agreed to address CCA and DRM in fisheries and aquaculture in future sessions and, in its 2012 - 2013 Work Plan, included the preparation of a strategy, action plan and programme proposal on these, to be supported by FAO. Several policy instruments need to be taken into account specifically for ecosystem approaches to fisheries and aquaculture. These include the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (FAO 1995) and the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP) and the OECS St George’s Declaration of Principles for Environmental Sustainability (SGD).These documents contribute to a vision such as: regional society and economy that is resilient to a changing climate and enhanced through comprehensive disaster management and sustainable use of aquatic resources.

The CCCCC Regional Framework contains five strategy elements and twenty goals or similar statements. Some are more relevant to fisheries and aquaculture, using an ecosystem approach, than others. Several aspects are developed in the IP, mainly under the heading of coastal and marine matters. This strategy and action plan incorporates fisheries and aquaculture more prominently into the IP as requested by the CRFM in order to strengthen the existing linkages to mutual advantage.

The strategy and action plan draws on the above-mentioned documents, elaborates on the concept of transformation and develops content to which the proposed programme for the region can be linked (see Volume 3). This volume sets out strategic actions “to strengthen regional and national cooperation and develop capacity in addressing climate change impacts and disasters in the fisheries and aquaculture sector”. It draws upon key regional policy instruments on fisheries, aquaculture, climate change and disasters. Ultimately it will be important for there to be linkages between the enhanced IP and critical fisheries and aquaculture policy at the regional and national levels. A protocol to the CCCFP that sets out these relationships could be a logical next step in this process. 

Fish and seafood are important components of the diet of the Caribbean population.  However, in the Caribbean region most of the traditional commercially important fish species and species groups are reported to be either fully developed or over-exploited. Despite efforts to increase production of fish and seafood, the region is still a major importer of the commonly consumed fish and seafood.  These foods represent healthier options to consume with respect to protein content and other health benefits throughout the life course.  The benefits of fish and seafood include reduction in cardiovascular diseases through the regulation of blood clotting and vessel constriction thus reducing the risk of heart disease and may prolong life after a heart attack.  Fish and seafood consumption lowers blood triglycerides (fats); may improve heart function and reduce damage from heart disease; can lower blood pressure; and may improve symptoms of inflammatory diseases, arthritis and psoriasis.  The omega-3 fatty acids may also reduce the incidence of depression and postpartum depression in pregnant women.  Some fish and seafood may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and cognitive decline in the elderly.  In babies it contributes to vision development and nerve growth in the retina.   These benefits augur well for the drive to combat obesity and the related conditions of diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases and some forms of cancer (lifestyle diseases), which are reaching epidemic proportions in the region.   Adolescents and young children are also at risk since childhood obesity is also on the rise with overweight and obesity ranging from 25%-30%.  Changing the pattern of consumption from high cholesterol saturated fatty animal sources of protein to fish and seafood can contribute positively to a reduction in these lifestyle diseases.

For these shifts in consumption to occur, there needs to be:

·        Increased availability and accessibility to fish and seafood

·        Policies, systems and regulations to ensure sustainability and proper management of the resources (avoid overfishing)

·        Greater support by governments for the strengthening of the Fisheries sector

·        Public education with respect to the choice of fish and seafood to minimize the consumption of contaminated fish.  Consumers should avoid large fish species that are high up in the food chain since those are more prone to toxin accumulation

Each CARICOM State derives varying levels of economic and socio-economic benefits from their respective coastal and marine fisheries resources, some of which are shared. Currently, most States allow open access to their fisheries. In addition, there is no agreement amongst the countries pertaining to the accessing of the region’s fisheries resources, in particular those that are shared. Continuation of such uncoordinated open access to these resources, despite regulated fishing in some states, can lead to overfishing and severe resource depletion. It will also result in reduced harvest levels triggering food and nutrition insecurity, lower export earnings. Fishing communities and rural areas in particular will experience quality of life losses. The CARICOM Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) will foster greater intra-regional cooperation and opportunities for increased benefits in individual states, and collectively across States, while promoting the long term resource sustainability.

Executive Summary

Each CARICOM State derives varying levels of economic and socio-economic benefits from their respective coastal and marine fisheries resources, some of which are shared. Currently, most States allow open access to their fisheries. In addition, there is no agreement amongst the countries pertaining to the accessing of the region’s fisheries resources, in particular those that are shared. Continuation of such uncoordinated open access to these resources, despite regulated fishing in some states, can lead to overfishing and severe resource depletion. It will also result in reduced harvest levels triggering food and nutrition insecurity, lower export earnings. Fishing communities and rural areas in particular will experience quality of life losses. The CARICOM Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) will foster greater intra-regional cooperation and opportunities for increased benefits in individual states, and collectively across States, while promoting the long term resource sustainability.

Mr. Peter A. Murray, a national of Saint Lucia, joins the CRFM Secretariat as Programme Manager, Fisheries Management and Development, with effect from 01 October 2013.  He holds a Master of Philosophy degree in Biology from the University of the West Indies and a Diploma in International Environmental Law issued by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. He has taught Biology, Chemistry, and Physics and was involved in the development of the curriculum for CXC Integrated Science. Peter A. Murray has worked as the senior-most Fisheries Biologist at Saint Lucia’s Department of Fisheries; Data Management Officer at the OECS Fisheries Unit; and, until recently was a senior Programme Officer at the OECS Secretariat. In this capacity, he had been primarily responsible for marine resources management and ocean-related matters and has been the lead person at the Secretariat for Maritime Boundary Delimitation since the late 1990’s. He has been the driving force behind the development of the Eastern Caribbean Regional Ocean Policy and Strategic Action Plan that has been recently approved by OECS Heads of Government. He coordinated the development of the OECS Fisheries Management and Development Strategy and has been integrally involved in the development of fisheries management plans for all nine of the OECS Member States in the mid-1990’s. Peter has also provided technical assistance to Member States on climate change-related issues and has served as the OECS Secretariat’s representative for the Caribbean Pilot Programme on Climate Resilience.

Peter A. Murray has played a coordinating role in public education and environmental awareness activities. He has been active in facilitating strategic planning and training in project proposal writing and was also a member of the OECS Secretariat’s post-disaster macro-socioeconomic assessment team, focusing on damage to the fisheries sector and environmental resources. Peter A. Murray has been a member of the Network of Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture Scientists since 1984 and has served on the Board of Directors of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute on two separate occasions for a total of 10 years.

As Programme Manager, Fisheries Management and Development Peter will be responsible for the planning and implementation of the fisheries conservation, management and development programme. In this capacity he will be coordinating programmes such as: development of fisheries management plans for the Region’s fisheries; global competitiveness; monitoring, control and surveillance capacities in the region; aquaculture and mariculture; climate change adaptation and disaster risk management in fisheries; conflict resolution among multi-users in coastal zones; livelihood and welfare of fisherfolk; and capacity building and institutional strengthening for sustainable fisheries.

CTA and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) have been working together in support of the dynamic process initiated by fisherfolk group to create a Caribbean Regional Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO). 

The purpose of the project is to continue the engagement of fisherfolk organizations with policy processes and decision-makers for the implementation of key regional fisheries policies facilitated.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the development of a sustainable and profitable industry, the improvement of the quality of fisherfolk lives and nutrition in the CRFM/CARIFORUM Region.

Expected results

(i)                  Common understanding, positions and proposals of fisherfolk organizations on key issues regarding the implementation of major regional policies and initiatives developed, advocated for and taken into consideration

(ii)                Stakeholders and the general public made aware and sentitized to fisherfolks concerns and views on major regional fisheries policies and their implementation.