Antigua – A draft Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy was unanimously approved at the Fourth Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Ministerial Council that concluded here last week.The approval of the united fisheries policy follows recommendations made at the 9th Meeting of the Caribbean Fisheries Forum held in Guyana in April.It is aimed at establishing stronger and more effective co-operation and collaboration among participating states in the conservation,Cheap NFL Jerseys, management and sustainable use of the fisheries resources and related ecosystems in the Caribbean region.Twelve ministers with fisheries portfolios representing Anguilla, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago accepted a draft agreement, which will now be submitted to the Conference of Heads of Government for approval.During the meeting, Antigua & Barbuda’s Minister of Agriculture,China Jerseys, Lands, Housing and the Environment Hilson Baptiste assumed the chairmanship of the CRFM Ministerial Council from St Lucia’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ezechiel Joseph.Grave concerns were expressed about the continued high levels of illegal,Wholesale China Jerseys, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and piracy carried out by foreign nationals in Jamaican waters.Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Dr Christopher Tufton tabled for discussion a paper highlighting recent poaching incidents in Jamaican waters, and proposals to prevent and eliminate IUU fishing in the region.The Council discussed the matter and it was agreed that a plan of action would be pursued to address IUU fishing at the national, regional and international levels.The plan comprised proposals for the strengthening and/or imposition of sanctions that are adequate in severity to deter IUU fishing, and discourage the violation of national sovereignty; sensitisation of enforcement agencies including? the judiciary, fishers, consumers and other relevant public and private sector stakeholders of the extent and the consequences of IUU fishing within? the region.Further considerations were given for the promotion of the co-ordination and harmonisation of conservation, management and enforcement measures,Cheap Jerseys, such as the establishment of harmonised closed seasons for high valued resources such as lobster and conch.Meanwhile,Wholesale Basketball Jerseys, the Government of Belize tabled a proposal in support of regional collaboration between Fisheries and Aquaculture Organization of Central America (OSPESCA) and the CRFM.The ministerial council accepted the proposal and recommended that a joint meeting be held by the end of July 2011.The meeting recognised donor agencies who,Cheap Jeseys NFL, through their financial backings, contributed to the sustainable development of fisheries in the region.Several projects are being implemented by the CRFM to achieve the sustainable development of the region’s fisheries resources within the context of its strategic plan.The Japanese-funded study to formulate a master plan on the sustainable use of fisheries resources for coastal community development in the Caribbean is one such project.