Second meeting of the CFMC/OSPESCA/WECAFC/CRFM Working Group on Queen Conch, Panama City, Panama, 18-20 November 2014.
Abstract
The second meeting of the CFMC/OSPESCA/WECAFC/CRFM Working Group on Queen Conch was held in Panama City, Panama, from 18 to 20 November 2014. The meeting followed up on decisions by the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and a recommendation from the fifteenth session of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC). The meeting reviewed a draft Regional Queen Conch Management and Conservation Plan with 26 potential fisheries management measures, and determined which measures will contribute most to the sustainability of the stocks and livelihoods of those involved in queen conch fisheries in the region. The meeting reached expert agreement on the use of regional harmonized conversion factors for the various degrees of processing of conch meat and on a format for non-detriment findings (NDFs) assessments. The meeting also updated the Terms of Reference of the Working Group and prepared a new work plan. The conclusions and draft recommendation from the Working Group will be reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Group and forwarded to the sixteenth session of WECAFC and important meetings of partner agencies for their endorsement. The working group meeting was attended by 55 fisheries and CITES authority delegates from 22 countries and territories. The meeting was facilitated by the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council, CITES and FAO.