Fisherfolk Organisations in Fisheries Governance and Policy

Patrick McConney and Maria Pena

Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES)
University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, Barbados
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ABSTRACT

Implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) has drawn attention to the important role resilient fisherfolk organisations need to play in fisheries governance and policy internationally, nationally, and locally. However, fisherfolk organisations are unlikely to be successful or sustainable unless the interactive relationships between them, ecological marine systems and political governing systems are well managed. Stewardship is a concept that has the potential to bridge these domains and provide practical guidance for all actors. Over the past two decades there has been increasing, even if only implicit, attention paid to stewardship in the CRFM region. Several policies, projects and other initiatives have tackled this matter. In this paper we examine some of these initiatives, their outputs, and outcomes. We suggest ways forward to build upon the foundation of progress and advance both the SSF Guidelines as well as the resilience of fisherfolk organisations in the CRFM region.

HOW TO CITE: McConney, P. and M. Pena, 2026. Fisherfolk Organisations in Fisheries Governance and Policy. Contribution 8.1, p527-536 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume I: Technical Papers. Presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=945

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Update on the Status and Management of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster Fisheries in the CARICOM Region

Maren Headley, Milton Haughton, and June Masters

Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Secretariat
Princess Margaret Drive, Belize City, Belize
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ABSTRACT

The Caribbean spiny lobster fishery is one of the most commercially important fisheries in the region. In 2011, a baseline review on the status and management of the spiny lobster fishery was completed for the CARICOM region. The baseline review identified a number of critical steps that need to be taken towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of Caribbean spiny lobster fisheries. These steps included: i.) Improved data collection and regional standardization of data types; ii) Harmonized regulations at the sub-regional level; iii.) Review and reform governance systems at local, national and sub-regional levels; iv.) Assess and control the illegal lobster fishery. This paper seeks to determine the extent to which the critical steps identified in the baseline review have been achieved and identify current gaps and opportunities for improving management of the spiny lobster resource. The paper also provides an update on the resource status, management objectives, and current regulations for the lobster resource in 17 CRFM Member States. Current landing trends, exports volumes and monetary values are also provided by CRFM Member countries.

HOW TO CITE: Headley, M., M. Haughton and J. Masters, 2026. Update on the Status and Management of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster Fisheries in the CARICOM Region. Contribution 6.5, p428-438 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume I: Technical Papers. Presented at the CRFM 20^th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=935