Workshop on investing in ecosystem-based shrimp and groundfish fisheries management of the Guianas-Brazil shelf, Barbados, 7-8 September 2015.
Abstract
The Workshop on Investing in Ecosystem-based shrimp and groundfish fisheries management of the Guianas -Brazil shelf, was held in Barbados, on 7-8 September 2015. The Workshop was the 1st meeting of the joint Working Group on Shrimp and Groundfish of the Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission (WECAFC), Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), and the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Seas (IFREMER). The 35 experts attending discussed the status of the shrimp and groundfish stocks, investment options for shrimp and groundfish fisheries in the sub-region - which comprises Brazil, Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname - and opportunities to harmonize fisheries management measures that would increase financial and environmental sustainability of the sector. Recommendations were made to increase collaboration in stock assessments of the fish and shrimp resources between the countries, to build capacity to carry out the necessary analyses in support of fisheries management decision making, to develop a regional plan of action to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as well as a sub-regional shrimp and groundfish fishery management plan for the Northern Brazil-Guianas Shelf countries, to finalize a general investment plan and to assist the countries in conducting the necessary feasibility studies for the preparation of full-fledged, location specific fisheries investment proposals. The Terms of Reference for the Working Group were discussed and updated, and a Convener for the Working Group was elected.