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OPENING OF THE WORKSHOP


1. The FAO Regional Workshop on the Elaboration of National Plans of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing was held at the Ambassador Hotel, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from 22 to 26 November 2004.

2. The Workshop was attended by 28 participants from FAO Members countries and two observers. A list of participants and observer is attached as Appendix B.

3. Ms Ann Marie Jobity, Director, Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, called the meeting to order. In her opening remarks, she noted that illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing was a major problem confronting world fisheries. She further noted that IUU fishing occurred in waters under national jurisdiction and in international waters and that it undermined efforts to sustainably manage fish stocks. Ms Jobity welcomed the Worskshop as a capacity-building exercise. Her statement is attached as Appendix D.

4. Mr Bisessar Chakalall, Senior Fishery Officer, FAO Subregional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (FAO/SLAC), Barbados, and Workshop Coordinator, welcomed participants to the Workshop. He also extended greetings from the Director-General of FAO, Dr Jacques Diouf and Mr Ichiro Nomura, Assistant Director-General for Fisheries, FAO Fisheries Department, Rome, Italy. Mr Chakalall noted that this was the third Workshop of this type to be held. He reiterated that IUU fishing occurred in all capture fisheries and that it was a major focus of international attention. He added that the 2001 FAO International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA-IUU) was intended to be implemented by all countries with wide stakeholder participation. He added that the national plans of action to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (NPOAs-IUU) were key elements in implementing the IPOA-IUU. Mr Chakalall thanked the Government of Trinidad for its support and assistance in organizing the Workshop, noting that the Government had always collaborated with FAO in the implementation of regional activities and projects. His statement is attached as Appendix E.

5. Mr Trevor Murray, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago addressed the Workshop on behalf of the Honourable Jarrette Narine, Minister for Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources, who was unable to participate in the opening ceremony because of unforeseen and pressing commitments. In his statement, the Minister extended a warm welcome to participants noting the importance of the Workshop. He thanked FAO for once again choosing Trinidad and Tobago as the venue for this regional Workshop. The Minister underscored FAO’s role in the promotion of sustainable fisheries and highlighted the problems associated with IUU fishing. The Minister urged participants to implement measures to combat IUU fishing, pointing out that this type of fishing was of particular significance in the Caribbean subregion. The Honourable Minister’s statement is attached as Appendix F.


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