Below are some key policies approved by the Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism:

♦  CRFM Environmental Social Safeguards Policy 2025

The overall objective of the CRFM ESS Policy is to promote the sustainable use of Caribbean fisheries and the development of aquaculture; protect the livelihoods of coastal and fishing communities; and conserve and protect marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

The ESS Policy will serve as a guiding framework to manage environmental and social risks, enhance the positive impacts of CRFM activities and projects, and ensure compliance with relevant national, regional, and international safeguard principles and standards.

 ♦  CRFM Strategy for Mainstreaming Biodiversity Consideration in Fisheries Policy and Practice (2024-2030)

This Strategic Document aims to achieve a sustainable and resilient fisheries sector that conserves marine biodiversity, supports healthy ecosystems, and ensures food security, nutrition and livelihoods and other social and economic benefits from the region’s ocean resources for present and future generations within the framework of the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy.

This strategy provides a roadmap for integrating biodiversity into fisheries management and governance, ensuring that the region’s rich marine ecosystems are conserved for future generations. Through collective action, regional cooperation, and a commitment to sustainable practices, the CRFM Member States can lead the way in balancing biodiversity conservation with the economic, social cultural benefits of the marine living resources.

♦  CRFM Policy to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, Harassment and Discrimination

The CRFM is committed to creating a positive, peaceful and healthy environment for our employees, and ensuring that policy and practice reflect the values of human rights, dignity, equity, social justice, cooperation, transparency, accountability, due-process, integrity and sustainability. Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH), as well as abuse of authority, constitute a violation of fundamental human rights and a betrayal of CRFM’s core values and vision.

This document defines CRFM’s commitment to preventing and addressing SEA, and SH, outlining its vision, principles, and response framework. It presents concrete strategies, mechanisms and interventions that will support the creation of a safe and respectful environment for the CFRM Governance hierarchy, staff members, contractors, consultants, volunteers, interns, beneficiaries and civil society partners.

♦  Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy

The CCCFP, as a Community Policy, represents the agreed vision, goal and objectives of the Community and its Members in relation to the conservation, management and sustainable utilisation of fisheries resources in the Caribbean. It is expected to be the document that guides the Community in its decision-making and subsequent legal agreements, decisions or measures at both the regional and national levels may be evaluated against the CCCFP.

The CCCFP will enable participating States to collectively undertake the scientific research and studies necessary to determine the status of fish stocks, determine available fishing opportunities, and develop rational harvest strategies and fisheries management plans to ensure optimum sustainable use of the resources and protect the ecosystems.

♦  Personal Data Protection Policy

The CRFM Personal Data Protection Policy (hereinafter referred to as the 'Policy') was developed in accordance with the current global normative framework, international best practices and standards, and CARICOM’s policy on personal data protection and processing, with a view to strengthening institutional control mechanisms and fostering transparent and proper use of the personal data of employees and individuals collaborating with the CRFM to fulfill its mission.

The purpose of the Policy is to ensure that the roles and responsibilities of employees of the CRFM Secretariat with respect to protecting personal data are clearly defined, understood, and followed by all employees. The document also provides procedural guidance on how the CRFM Secretariat, and its governance bodies will implement the Policy.

♦  Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy

The CRFM Anti-bribery and Anti-corruption Policy (hereinafter referred to as “the Policy”) establishes principles and standards that will govern conduct at the CRFM to ensure compliance with international best practices and standards in respect of bribery and corruption and reinforces our intention and obligation to act honestly and ethically in all our business dealings. It sets out the responsibilities of the CRFM including its organs and bodies and those who work for the CRFM in regard to observing and upholding a zerotolerance position on bribery and corruption.

The Policy also provides a source of information and guidance for those working for the CRFM Secretariat and helps them recognize and deal with bribery and corruption, as well as understand their responsibilities.