The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), in collaboration with the ACP Fish II Regional Facilitation Unit (RFU) / ACP Fish II Programme, will be starting a new project Tuesday 20th November 2012 in the CRFM Secretariat office in Belize City, Belize. A first meeting will be held on Tuesday 20th November 2012 in the CRFM Belize office. The project's team will then visit fisheries administrations in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in order to gather information to update the Communication Strategy for the CRFM and update the CRFM website.
The purpose of this project is to strengthen the capacity of CRFM and fisheries administrations of CARIFORUM States in fisheries information and knowledge sharing. It will provide focused support to the CRFM Secretariat and Member States to agree on document goals and targets for the IT component of its Communication Strategy and deliver technical assistance to upgrade and maintain a website whilst providing training to fisheries officers in an effort to maximise the use of the new found facility and tools. Thus, CRFM will contribute to the achievement of the management goals stated in the recently adopted Agreement establishing a Common Fisheries Policy. It will ensure a better fisheries management in the Caribbean Region.
The fisheries sector is important for the Caribbean Forum of ACP States (CARIFORUM) as it provides employment and contributes to food security and export earnings. The sector employs over 182,000 persons, directly and indirectly, mostly from rural villages, which lack other income earning opportunities. The fisheries sector earns over USD 250 million per year from exports and accounts for up to 8% of some member state's GDP. Fishing in the region complements tourism by providing alternative livelihood options such as tour guiding and fishing tournaments.