| PRIORITY ACTIONS | Over-arching Assessment? | Custodian | Progress Status | Level of Subjectivity | Narrative | Last Assessed | Contributing Project(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 Establish an interim arrangement for sustainable fisheries coordinated by FAO-WECAFC and including CRFM; OSPESCA; and OECS | YES | Completed | Low | MOU formally establishing the Interim Coordination Mechanism for Sustainable Fisheries (FICM) was established through an MOU signed by three Regional Fisheries Bodies (CRFM, OSPESCA and WECAFC-FAO) in January 2016. The MOU seeks to enhance the regional governance for sustainable fisheries. To date, 10 meetings of the FICM have taken place with the last meeting held in July 2019 | 04/09/2019 | CLME+ | |
| 2.2 Review, and reform WECAFC as needed to clarify and strengthen its mandate and relationships with Regional Fisheries Bodies such as CRFM, OSPESCA and ICCAT | YES | FAO WECAFC | Good progress | Low | Continuous review of WECAFC as an organisation is ongoing. During the 15 Session of WECAFC in 2014, the Session considered a "Background, guidance and strategic options for the strategic re-orientation of WECAFC: Options paper. " After much discussion on it was concluded that WECAFC should remain an Article VI advisory body for the immediate future. At that time it was recommended that an independent cost-analysis study on WECAFC be undertaken. This results of this assessment was reviewed by the Commission during it 16 Session, as well as an additional study, with financial support from the CLME+ Project, that undertook an assement of recent activities of the 3 RFBs including options for a regional institutional collaborative structure. It was at that meeting that the Commission agreed to launch a process towards the establishment of a regional fisheries management arrangement/entity. | 04/09/2019 | CLME+ |
| 2.3 Evaluate the needs and the options, agree on the mandate & operationalise a Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO) or alternative arrangement for the management of shared living marine resources (as applicable*) | YES | FAO WECAFC | Moderate progress | Low | Based on the decision of the 16 Session of WECAFC,in 2016, to launch a process towards the establishment of a regional fisheries management arrangement/entity, the first Preparatory Meeting towards WECAFC transitioning into a fisheries management arrangement/entity took place in Barbados, in March 2019. The Report of the Preparatory Meeting was endorsed by the 17 Session of the Commission, which took place in the USA, in July 2019. The Commission also endorsed a Roadmap for Progressing towards the Development of a Model for a Regional Fisheries Management Entity or Arrangement in the WECAFC Area, which included a terms of reference for the intersessional work. The Roadmap calls for a second preparatory meeting, to be held in the first quarrter of 2021, which is charged with developing options and recommendations that will be submitted to the next session of WECAFC in 2021. | 09/16/2020 | CLME+ |
| 2.4 Establish and/or enhance the capacity of the regional, sub-regional and national governance arrangements for the broader involvement of society in the implementation of the EBM/EAF approach (IGOs, NGOs, CBOs, private sector...) | |||||||
| 2.5 Establish and/or enhance the capacity of the regional, sub-regional and national fisheries institutions to develop and implement harmonized management and conservation measures, with special focus on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) and Monitoring, Control & Surveillance (MCS) | YES | FAO WECAFC | Completed | Medium | The Regional Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (RPOA-IUU), which was produced by the WECAFC/CRFM/OSPESCA Regional Working Group on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing was presented to the 17 Session of WECAFC, in July 2019, for their consideration. The Commission examined the RPOA-IUU and requested that some amendments be made to remove all language alluding to a legally binding character, the reference to non-existing or draft instruments and non-approved recommendations. With these edits, the Commission endorsed the RPOA-IUU, noting that its endorsement represented a significant advancement that will support strengthened legislation and policies. However, it was recognized that enforcement remained a challenge for WECAFC members and direct collaborative work among WECAFC members was encouraged. The Commission also recommended regular review of Members’ implementation of the RPOA-IUU to assess and advance progress. This could be undertaken at future intersessional meetings of the Regional Working Group on IUU Fishing. | 09/17/2020 | |
| 2.5 Establish and/or enhance the capacity of the regional, sub-regional and national fisheries institutions to develop and implement harmonized management and conservation measures, with special focus on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) and Monitoring, Control & Surveillance (MCS) | NO | FAO WECAFC | Basic progress | FAO WECAFC is developing a project concept under GEF 7 to assist WECAFC countries with the implementation of the RPOA IUU | 09/17/20 | ||
| 2.5 Establish and/or enhance the capacity of the regional, sub-regional and national fisheries institutions to develop and implement harmonized management and conservation measures, with special focus on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUU) and Monitoring, Control & Surveillance (MCS) | NO | FAO WECAFC | Moderate progress | Low | As of this date, The Bahamas, Barbados, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Panama, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the United States of America from the CLME+ Region are parties to PSMA. http://www.fao.org/port-state-measures/background/parties-psma/en/ | 09/12/2019 | |
| 2.6 Coordinate the development and implementation of fisheries-specific initiatives for IUU and MCS | NO | FAO WECAFC | Good progress | A RPOA-IUU was developed by the joint WECAFC/CRFM/OSPESCA Regional Working Group on IUU fishing. It was endorsed by the 17 Session of WECAFC for implementation at national and regional levels. The timeframe for this RPOA-IUU is 10 years before a major review, commencing in 2019, with systematic reviews at regular intervals, using the RWG-IUU as a mechanism for this. FAO is in the process of developing a project concept under GEF 7 to support the implementation of the IUU RPOA | 09/17/2020 | ||
| 2.7 Coordinate the development and implementation of regional, sub-regional and national initiatives for sustainable small scale fisheries (including capacity building and pilot initiatives) | NO | FAO WECAFC | Moderate progress | StewardFish which is aimed at implementing the CLME+ SAP within the seven CRFM States [Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St.Vincent & the Grenadines] by empowering fisherfolk throughout fisheries value chains to engage in resource management, decision-making processes and sustainable livelihoods, with strengthened institutional support at all levels. The project components include developing organizational capacity for fisheries governance; enhancing ecosystem stewardship for fisheries sustainability; securing sustainable livelihoods for food and nutrition, and participatory PM&E. | 09/13/2019 | ||
| 2.7 Coordinate the development and implementation of regional, sub-regional and national initiatives for sustainable small scale fisheries (including capacity building and pilot initiatives) | NO | CANARI | Good progress | Medium | Organisational strengthening of 7 NFOs is in progress. Work has started to support fisherfolk to develop and implement practical stewardship projects in MPAs to contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods. Institutional analyses and organisational assessments were conducted with key fisheries-related state agencies and NFOs to assess gaps in and recommend priorities to improve support for fisherfolk organisations and their role in stewardship in the 7 target countries. | 09/17/2020 | StewardFish |
| 2.7 Coordinate the development and implementation of regional, sub-regional and national initiatives for sustainable small scale fisheries (including capacity building and pilot initiatives) | NO | CANARI | Good progress | Medium | The CLME+ People Managing Oceans Civil Society Strategic Action Plan (C-SAP) was developed to guide civil society's contribution to delivery of the CLME+ SAP. This document was developed through consultation with civil society organisations, fisherfolk organisations and community enterprises. It has been endorsed by 49 civil society organisations, including 4 FFOs, as of February 29, 2020. This includes specific strategies and actions directly aligned with supporting implementation of SAP action 2.7 on small scale fisheries. | 09/17/2020 | |
| 2.8 Coordinate the development and implementation of regional, sub-regional and national initiatives to improve welfare and livelihoods through the provision of Decent Work(including through the development of alternative livelihoods, capacity building and pilot initiatives) | NO | FAO WECAFC | Moderate progress | Low | StewardFish which is aimed at implementing the CLME+ SAP within the seven CRFM States [Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St.Vincent & the Grenadines] by empowering fisherfolk throughout fisheries value chains to engage in resource management, decision-making processes and sustainable livelihoods, with strengthened institutional support at all levels. The project components include enhancing ecosystem stewardship for fisheries sustainability; and securing sustainable livelihoods for food and nutrition.. | 09/12/2019 | |
| 2.9 Coordinate the development and implementation of regional, sub-regional and national initiatives to enhance safety and reduce risk factors (including at sea) for fishers, with particular focus on risk management | NO | CANARI | Good progress | Low | Darwin-funded project aimed at mainstreaming climate change adaptation (CCA) into fisheries governance and management in Anguilla and Monserrat, using an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF). Participatory vulnerability assessments conducted. Capacity building completed. Funds provided to 4 fisherfolk organisations to implement practical adaptation actions, including safety at sea actions and managing risks related to climate change. | 09/17/2020 | Climate change adaptation in the fisheries of Anguilla and Montserrat |
| 2.9 Coordinate the development and implementation of regional, sub-regional and national initiatives to enhance safety and reduce risk factors (including at sea) for fishers, with particular focus on risk management | NO | FAO WECAFC | Good progress | Low | CC4FISH which aims to increase resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts in the Eastern Caribbean fisheries sector. Includes undertaking assessments of local vulnerability and risk to inform planning for adaptation and support investments in protecting fisherfolk communities from climare change; providing improved safety at sea training and improving safety of vessels to reduce risks for fisherfolk in case of accidents and extreme weather events; and developing early warning systems, using mobile applications, for the fisheries sector. | September 13, 2019 | |
| 2.10 Establish and/or enhance the capacity to manage knowledge and to mainstream findings from monitoring, science and research in regional, sub-regional and national decision-making and policy development for sustainable fisheries | NO | ICM Secretariat | Moderate progress | Low | FAO has produced a State of Fisheries Report for the WECAFC region that outlines the state of a number of fisheries. Further, GCFI with support of the CLME+ Project has produced "Science and Research Serving Effective Ocean Governance in the Wider Caribbean Region". This report outlines a number of priority research topics from decisions makers that could influence policy development for sustainable fisheries | 09/17/2020 | |
| 2.11 Establish and/or enhance the capacity to undertake and mainstream valuation of ecosystem goods and services in regional, sub-regional and national decision-making and policy development for sustainable fisheries | |||||||
| 2.12 Strengthen the capacity of the regional and sub-regional arrangements to support countries in becoming parties to relevant international and regional agreements and complying with their global and regional commitments towards the sustainable use and conservation of the marine environment and associated living resources (including the support to update and harmonize national legislation and regulations) | NO | Moderate progress | FAO/WECAFC has been providing support to countries within the CLME+ region to enable them to become parties to the PSMA and implement it. At the 17 Session of WECAFC, in July 2019, the Commission acknowledged the proportion of the number of parties to the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing (PSMA), in the WECAFC area, one of the highest in the world, stressed the importance of further increasing that number, and took note of the decision of Trinidad and Tobago to accede to the PSMA and related efforts by Jamaica. | 09/12/2019 | |||
| 2.14 Establish and/or enhance the capacity of the regional, sub-regional and national fisheries governance arrangements for the monitoring, assessment & reporting on the state of fisheries | YES | ICM Secretariat | Moderate progress | FAO/WECAFC during its Sessions reports on the State of Fisheries in the WECAFC area. The data and information used to inform this report is usually taken from official reports by countries to FAO on catch and landings data. | 09/17/2020 | ||
| 2.13 Establish and/or enhance the data and information quality and collection and management capacity of the regional, sub-regional and national fisheries governance arrangements, including through the establishment of public-private partnerships | NO | Good progress | Bearing in mind the need for improvements in basic information on fishery data and statistics and that the need to develop and implement agreed data sharing policies to support decision-making was noted as a chief impediment to strong and effective management of marine resources in the region (WECAFC 14, WECAFC 15), the FIRMS partnership was endorsed by WECAFC 15. The overarching aim of the FIRMS partnership is to provide decision-makers with sufficient and reliable information to develop effective fisheries policies in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. FAO provides the secretariat for the FIRMS partnership. Activities undertaken achievements during phase I and II of the partnership were presented in WECAFC/SAG/VII/2015/7, WECAFC/SAG/VIII/2017/8 and WECAFC/SAG/IX/2018/11. The 2016-2017 (WECAFC-FIRMS phase I) achievements included strengthening national data collection through completion of inventories of stocks and fisheries in support of the three FMPs published in FIRMS; development of a prototype Regional Data Base (RDB); developing a Plan for identifying needs and building capacity and strengthening of selected national data collection systems; identifying minimum data needs for monitoring and stock assessment; translation of the FIRMS website into Spanish; and aregional data workshop convened in Barbados in January of 20162. Under WECAFC-FIRMS phase II project, activities undertaken were primarily to support the mandate of the Working Group on Fisheries Data and Statistics (FDS-WG), agreed by the Members during the 16 Commission Session of WECAFC, in Guadeloupe in June 2016. The Phase II project support focused on agreements regarding minimum data requirements for fisheries under management plans, and on the governance and operationalization of the WECAFC Regional Database, including development of a regional data collection reference framework (DCRF) and documentation of best practices for logbooks and data sharing policies and guidelines. The 2017-2018 (WECAFC-FIRMS phase II) achievements included development of Data Collection Reference Framework document (DCRF) and associated Regional Data Access and Sharing Policies; draft Regional Logbook Guidelines; 1 st meeting of the WECAFC Fisheries Data and Statistics Working Group (FDS WG); intersessional FDS-WG Work Plan for 2018-2019 and WECAFC Regional Database fully functional. At the 17 Session of WECAFC, the convener of the Fisheries Data and Statistics WG and WECAFC-FIRMS Regional Focal point, presented an update of the activities on data and statistics taking place under the WECAFC-FIRMS partnership, particularly a result of this collaborative platform which sets the framework for data collection and information sharing systems to support scientific and decision making processes and the connected capacity building activities. The Commission commended the WG for the hard work and enthusiasm invested in the development of such a robust framework (Data Collection Reference Framework – DCRF). The EU indicated that this work was outstanding, that it considered as a high priority to have such a system in place in the Region and that was the main reason for supporting this initiative, including financially. The Commission emphasized the usefulness of the regional database for improving data collection, data management, including visualization and sustainable management of fisheries resources. The Commission requested that some modifications be made to the draft recommendation on the DCRF, in particular the reference to RFMO and to the reporting requirements to ICCAT in the DCRF were considered unnecessary.The Commission adoptedthe recommendation as an Interim Data Collection Reference Framework, pending additional technical edits to be provided intersessionally, in order to adopt the Data Collection Reference Framework at the next plenary meeting of WECAFC. | 09/12/2019 |
The CLME+ Hub is an initiative of the Secretariat of the CLME+ Interim Coordination Mechanism (ICM), in collaboration with the members of the CLME+ ICM and CLME+ Project Executive Group (PEG) and (prospective) Partner Organizations. Development of the Hub has benefited from the financial support of the UNDP/GEF Project: “Catalysing Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the Sustainable Management of shared Living Marine Resources in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems” (CLME+ Project, 2015-2020). The CLME+ Project is executed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in close collaboration with a large number of global, regional and national-level partners. For more information on the CLME+ Project click here
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