Antigua and Barbuda has assumed the chairmanship of the Caribbean Fisheries Forum, placing the country in a leading regional role as Caribbean fisheries officials discuss the future of the sector.

Ian Horsford, Antigua and Barbuda’s chief fisheries officer, was elected chair during the Forum’s 24th Regular Meeting held in Belize City on April 23 and 24. He succeeds Remone Johnson of the Turks and Caicos Islands and will serve for the next year.

The Forum brings together heads of fisheries authorities from 17 CARICOM states and provides technical guidance to the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism.

“In these times of geopolitical uncertainty, CRFM — through its various organs such as the Forum — remains a shining example of what can be achieved through multilateralism as we chart the way forward for the sustainable development of Caribbean fisheries and blue economy,” Horsford said.

The meeting focused on the CRFM’s 2026-2027 work plan, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, climate change, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, fisheries crime, gender mainstreaming and renewable energy options within seafood value chains.

Officials also discussed new protocols under the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy, including marine spatial planning and aquatic foods traceability, which involves tracking seafood across the value chain.

The CRFM said about 500,000 people across CARICOM are employed in fisheries and aquaculture, including fishers, aquaculture farmers and others in fisheries-related jobs.

The Forum meeting was held ahead of the 20th Regular Meeting of the CRFM Ministerial Council.