Hon. Randy Baltimore, Chair of the CRFM Ministerial Council

Baltimore says Caribbean-Africa fisheries agreement can protect livelihoods and improve food security

Minister Randy Baltimore says a new cooperation agreement between Caribbean and African fisheries organizations can help protect fishing livelihoods, strengthen food security and create opportunities for fishing and fish-farming communities.

Baltimore, chair of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism’s Ministerial Council, welcomed the agreement as an important step toward strengthening relations between the two regions and turning shared priorities into practical benefits.

“Africa and the Caribbean share a deep connection to the ocean and a common responsibility to ensure that its resources sustain our people for generations to come,” he said.

“This agreement provides an important platform for translating shared priorities into practical cooperation that supports food security, protects livelihoods, and creates opportunities for our fishing and aquaculture communities.”

He said the relationship should be grounded in “mutual respect, shared learning, and tangible benefits for our Member States.”

The memorandum of understanding was signed by the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, known as the CRFM, and the Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation among African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, known as ATLAFCO/COMHAFAT.

It establishes a framework for cooperation on sustainable fishing, fish farming and the management of ocean resources. The organizations will share knowledge, technology, research and institutional experience to address challenges facing communities on both sides of the Atlantic.

For fishers, fish farmers, seafood processors, vendors and coastal communities, the agreement could support better management of fish stocks, safer seafood, improved access to markets and stronger protection against the effects of climate change.

One priority is tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Cooperation could include stronger monitoring and enforcement, training, and measures at ports to prevent illegally caught fish from entering the market.

The organizations also plan to cooperate on aquaculture and mariculture — the farming of fish and other aquatic organisms, including in the sea. Areas of interest include technology, investment, disease prevention, aquatic animal health and production systems better able to withstand climate pressures.

Scientific research and digital technology are other key areas. The agreement provides for cooperation on fisheries statistics, electronic reporting and information management, alongside links among universities, research institutions and scientific networks.

The framework also covers seafood traceability, which allows products to be tracked through the supply chain, as well as food safety, market information and trade opportunities.

Climate-related cooperation could include disaster preparedness, access to climate funding, renewable energy and efforts to attract investment. Research and management of sargassum seaweed are also included, with opportunities to share monitoring methods and explore uses for the seaweed.

Other areas include protecting marine biodiversity and planning how ocean spaces are used, helping countries balance economic activity with the health of marine ecosystems.

The agreement provides for professional training, technical exchanges, study visits, fellowships and joint scientific activities. Links between the organizations’ scientific networks could give fisheries managers and policymakers access to a wider pool of expertise and evidence.

CRFM Executive Director Dr. Marc Williams said the agreement’s success would depend on focused, achievable initiatives.

“The value of this MoU will be measured by the practical improvements it enables,” Williams said.

“By connecting our scientific networks, sharing technologies and institutional experience, and developing joint proposals, we can strengthen the information, skills, and partnerships needed to manage fisheries more effectively.”

He said the aim was to turn knowledge into better decisions, innovation into useful tools and cooperation into lasting benefits for people who depend on fishing and aquaculture.

Each organization will designate representatives to support implementation. Annual or multiyear work programs will identify priority activities, expected results, responsibilities and estimated resource needs, with progress reviewed at least once a year.

The organizations may also develop joint projects and investment proposals and seek support from development partners, financial institutions and funding agencies.

The memorandum is a nonbinding framework and does not itself commit either organization to spending money. Activities involving financial obligations will require separate written arrangements and the necessary approvals.

Cooperation will also respect the sovereign rights, international obligations and independent positions of member countries.

The agreement provides for an initial three-year term, taking effect upon signature and completion of the organizations’ internal approval procedures. It can be renewed by mutual written agreement.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Minister Baltimore says Caribbean-Africa fisheries agreement can protect livelihoods and improve food security.