Critical issues facing the fisheries sector in the region high on the agenda of the upcoming 18th Session of The Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC)

Critical issues facing the fisheries sector in the region high on the agenda of the
upcoming 18 th Session of The Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC)
21 July, 2022 – Bridgetown, Barbados – An important list of high priority matters plaguing
the fisheries sector across the region will be tabled for discussion when the 18 th Session of
the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC), convenes virtually in
Managua, Nicaragua, from 26 to 29 July 2022. Matters such as the effects of the COVID-19
pandemic on the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the region and responses for
recovery, Caribbean Regional Management Plan for the Moored Fish Aggregating Device
(MFAD), Regional Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks, Rays
and Chimaeras in the WECAFC area, Regional Fish Spawning Aggregation Fishery
Management Plan: Focus on Nassau Grouper and Mutton Snapper (FSAMP) and Regional
Strategy on the management of bycatch and discards in Latin American and Caribbean
bottom trawl [shrimp and groundfish] fisheries and a set of conservation and
management recommendations will get the attention of the delegates.
The meeting will be attended by an estimated 80 delegates from 21 members of the
WECAFC Commission including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Cuba,
Dominica, Dominican Republic, European Union (Member Organization), France,
Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, The Netherlands, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom The United States of
America, Venezuela, and hosted by The Government of Reconciliation and National Unity
of the Republic of Nicaragua.

At the last 17 th Session of WECAFC held in Miami, Florida, 15-19 July 2019, The
Commission issued 12 regional fisheries management recommendations, including those
for the conservation and management of sharks and rays in the WECAFC area and the
queen conch conversion factor. These recommendations, as well as two regional fisheries
resolutions, that have since received significant follow-up by the WECAFC Commission,
and particularly its 11 Working Groups, and scientific advisory group (SAG) that have
made considerable progress. Conservation and management measures discussed during
the intersession will also be tabled at the upcoming Session in Nicaragua.
Iván León FAO Representative in Nicaragua stated the relevance for FAO to be a strategic
partner of Nicaragua and the countries and the importance of progressing towards the
development of a model for a regional fisheries management as a unique opportunity to
catapult the sector as a main axis of the countries development.

Yvette Diei Ouadi, FAO Caribbean Sub-regional Fishery and Aquaculture Officer and
Secretary of WECAFC stated that in addition to the progress made since the 17 th WECAFC
Session, and the scene setting presentation of the state of fisheries and aquaculture in the
WECAFC region, topics on core reforms of the Commission will also be at the centre of the
deliberations. These are connected to the strategic reorientation, the new Rules of
Procedure of WECAFC, the 2022-2027 strategic plan, and the reform of SAG. The efficiency
and transparency in the way the Commission makes decision, the subsidiary bodies
discharge their functions, the modernization for quality and effective deliverables and
monitoring framework are at stake. Another important agenda item will discuss how to
strengthen the coordinated actions and collaboration with key partners organizations,
such as the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and
partner agencies within the framework of the Strategic Action Programme for the
sustainable management of the shared living marine resources of the Caribbean and
North Brazil shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (CLME+ SAP). She stated that despite the
challenges encountered due to COVID-19 global pandemic, tireless adaptation efforts
were deployed which resulted in the implementation of more than 80% of the 2019-2021
programme of work.

The WECAFC 18 th Session will be held during an important year for the fisheries sector; the
International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022) as declared by The
United Nations General Assembly. While the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO) has the distinct honour of leading the celebrations for the year, The
WECAFC IYAFA steering committee selected 24 small-scale fisheries and aquaculture
champions from across the region representing academia, civil society, policy-makers,
small-scale fisheries and aquaculture (SSF/A) leaders, and organizations. The champions
include, The Honorable Saboto Caesar, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural
Transformation, Industry & Labour of St. Vincent & The Grenadines.
The champions will play an active role in the celebrations participating in regional and
national activities and will be recognized during the upcoming meeting. A specific agenda
item on the progress in this celebratory year in the region and a dedicated side event on
the enabling policy and practice environment for a post-IYAFA 2022 celebration are slated
that will also feature these champions.

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