–? strategies to improve sector high on two-day agendaMembers of the Caribbean Fisheries Forum (CFF) yesterday met at the Ramada Georgetown PrincessMinister of Agriculture, Noel HolderHotel, Providence, as part of a two-day exercise to discuss emerging issues and to recommend strategies to combat current challenges being faced within the fishing sector.The CFF, the Ministerial Council and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Secretariat, are the three bodies that make up the CRFM.The CRFM was officially inaugurated on 27 March 2003, in Belize City, Belize, where it is also headquartered following the signing of the “Agreement Establishing the CRFM” on February 4, 2002.The mechanism, according to its website, is an inter-governmental organization with its mission being to “To promote and facilitate the responsible utilization of the region’s fisheries and other aquatic resources for the economic and social benefits of the current and future population of the region”.Its members are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados,Wholesale China Jerseys, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,Cheap Jerseys Free, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and the Turks and Caicos Islands.Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture (MOA), Noel Holder, during his address welcomed the representatives and spoke of the important, direct role that the fisheries sector plays in national food security.He said that in the Caribbean, the fisheries and aquaculture sector is a major economic contributor to domestic markets – almost US$420M in 2014.? He also regarded the sector as a significant employer with about 116,000 persons directly employed and over 225,000 indirectly employed.FISHERIES SUB-SECTOR’S CONTRIBUTION TO GUYANAHolder said that Guyana can boast that its fisheries sub-sector contributes about 9.4 percent to agriculture Gross Domestic Product (GDP); it collects approximately GY$30.7M in revenue from fees from licenses; and it adds GY$15 B annually to the foreign currency earnings through exports.In addition, the fishing industry employs approximately 15,000 people with 4,000 to 5,600 persons being directly employed in fishing, with many more benefiting indirectly through fishing-related industries.RISE IN DEMANDS AND SUSTAINABLE FISHING PRACTICESWith health awareness on the rise; consumers recognising the health benefits in consuming fish, the demand for fish is increasing and the global marine production is being pressured to satisfy this demand even with aquaculture production also contributing.“It is our duty to supply wholesome fish and fish products to meet this demand;Representatives of Member States during the forum yesterday at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys China, Providence. (MOA Photo)however we must ensure that it is done in a sustainable way so that future generations can enjoy the same benefits we now have,” Minster Holder pointed out.“We in Guyana are committed to the sustainable management and advancement of the sector, and we are committed to working with our partners to ensure that we fish responsibly and practice sustainable fishing practices.”Some of Guyana’s initiatives he listed included, the introduction of a Harvest Control rule, where Trawlers are allowed to fish for only a certain amount of days annually; the use of Vessel Monitoring Systems on the trawling fleet so that they can be monitored on a 24 hrs basis; and the formation of a Seabob Working Group, which comprises members of the Fisheries Department and stakeholders from the Trawler Association.The Seabob Working Group is working together to attain the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for the Seabob industry, he said.In addition, the minister stated that there will be an increase in Monitoring Control and Surveillance of Artisanal vessels to ensure that they are in compliance with the rules and regulations as indicated in the Fisheries Act of 2002.“With this move we hope to reduce accidents and robbery at sea and we will be working along with the Coast Guard in patrolling our EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone)”CHALLENGESThe Minister continued, “apart from the dwindling marine resources, the sector (also) faces other challenges which I am sure are common to the Region. Adverse climatic conditions and the increasing presence of seaweed, hampers the fisher folk’s ability to fish or make it more dangerous to ply their trade. Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing and robbery at sea also pose serious challenges,”However,Air Max 98 Gundam Price, he said that he is happy that the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP) is authorised for implementation.He believes that this