BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – Representatives of the Belize-based Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) held discussions with the GRO Fisheries Training Programme (FTP) on ways to strengthen cooperation with CRFM member states and to enhance further the region’s capacity in fisheries management and development.
The CRFM said that the discussions, which were held at the GRÓ FTP office in Reykjavik, Iceland, built upon 18 years of collaboration between the parties and allowed the CRFM executive director, Dr. Marc Williams, to meet with GRÓ FTP Director Thor Ásgeirsson and Stefán Úlfarsson.
The CRFM and GRÓ FTP, formerly the United Nations University Fisheries Training Program (UNU FTP), entered into a memorandum of understanding in 2008 to enhance institutional capacity.
Under this arrangement, Caribbean fisheries practitioners continue to benefit from GRÓ FTP training, including short courses, six-month training programmes, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees.
Currently, the CRFM and GRÓ FTP are conducting a capacity needs assessment of the CRFM fisheries administrations and the CRFM Secretariat.
Two GRÓ FTP fellows from Jamaica, Annakay Crawford and Deandra Roberts, are gathering and analyzing data for the assessment, which will provide the evidence that the Member States and the CRFM Secretariat need to chart the future direction of their respective organizations.
They have already briefed the St. Vincent and the Grenadines delegation, headed by the Minister of Fisheries, Marine and Land Conservation, Conroy Huggings, on their progress.
The delegation, which attended the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) second d Committee on Fisheries (COFI) Subcommittee Meeting on Fisheries Management in Iceland, reaffirmed its commitment to support the successful completion of the assessment reports.
Last September, the CRFM Ministerial Council—comprised of ministers responsible for fisheries, aquaculture, and the blue economy from across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)—issued a resolution approving the CRFM Capacity Needs Assessment Roadmap 2025.
The Council said it looks forward to the successful completion of the regional and national capacity assessment summaries, which will support a more holistic response to addressing gaps at both levels.
“The CRFM Secretariat acknowledges and thanks all member states that have been contributing to the Capacity Needs Assessment. These inputs have been essential in enabling a comprehensive regional analysis of our institutional and human capacities, in accordance with the directives of the CRFM Ministerial Council. Continued collaboration is critical as the process advances toward validation and subsequent presentation to the Council,” said Dr. Williams.
Since 2008, at least 65 Caribbean fisheries professionals have benefited from training through GRÓ FTP, with several of the programme’s alums moving on to leadership roles within fisheries administrations, the CRFM Secretariat, and the CRFM Ministerial Council.
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