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  1. Mission
  2. Species and stocks coverage
  3. Area of competence
  4. WECAFC Maps
  5. Legal framework
  6. Languages
  7. Organizations involved
  8. Structure
  9. Activities and meetings
  10. Publications
  11. Contact
MissionObjectiveThe general objective of the Commission is to promote the effective conservation, management and development of the living marine resources of the area of competence of the Commission, in accordance with the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and address common problems of fisheries management and development faced by members of the Commission.

The work of the Commission is guided by the following three principles:
  • promote the application of the provisions of the FAO Code of Conduct on Responsible Fisheries and its related instruments, including the precautionary approach and the ecosystem approach to fisheries management;
  • ensure adequate attention to small-scale, artisanal and subsistence fisheries; and
  • coordinate and cooperate closely with other relevant international organizations on matters of common interest.
FunctionsThe Commission has the following main functions and responsibilities:
  • to contribute to improved governance through institutional arrangements that encourage cooperation amongst members;
  • to assist its members in implementing relevant international fisheries instruments, in particular the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and its related International Plans of Action;
  • to promote, coordinate and, as appropriate, undertake the collection, exchange and dissemination of statistical, biological, environmental and socio-economic data and other marine fishery information as well as its analysis or study;
  • to promote, coordinate and, as appropriate, strengthen the development of institutional capacity and human resources, particularly through education, training and extension activities in the areas of competence of the Commission;
  • to promote and facilitate harmonizing of relevant national laws and regulations, and compatibility of conservation and management measures;
  • to assist its members in and facilitate, as appropriate and upon their request, the conservation, management and development of transboundary and straddling stocks under their respective national jurisdictions;
  • to seek funds and other resources to ensure the long-term operations of the Commission and establish, as appropriate, a trust fund for voluntary contributions to this end;
  • to serve as a conduit of independent funding to its members for initiatives related to conservation, management and development of the living resources in the area of competence of the Commission.
Species and stocks coverageAll living marine resources, without prejudice to the management responsibilities and authority of other competent fisheries and other living marine resources management organizations or arrangements in the area. Area of competence
WECAFC area of competence - High seas, National waters
The designations employed and the presentation of material in the map(s) are for illustration only and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.
WECAFC Maps
WECAFC Jurisdiction zones
WECAFC Jurisdiction zones


WECAFC Depth zones
WECAFC Depth zones
Legal frameworkThe WECAFC was established in 1973 by Resolution 4/61 of the FAO Council under Article VI (1) of the FAO Constitution. Its statutes were amended by the FAO Council at its Seventy-fourth Session in December 1978 and by the Hundred and Thirty-first Session of the FAO Council in November 2006.
ftp://ftp.fao.org/FI/DOCUMENT/wecafc/resolution_1_131.pdf
LanguagesEnglish, French, Spanish. Organizations involved Membership is open to coastal States whose territories are situated wholly or partly within the area of the Commission or States whose vessels engage in fishing in the area of competence of the Commission that notify in writing to the Director-General of the Organization of their desire to be considered as members of the Commission.

Current membership: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, European Union, France, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Republic of Korea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent/Grenadines, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America, Boliv Rep of Venezuela.

StructurePrincipal bodyThe main governing body is the Commission. It is composed of all members. Meetings of the Commission are normally held every two years.Scientific Advisory Group (SAG)The SAG is constituted of five scientists with suitable scientific qualifications and experience in fisheries who serve in their personal capacity. The SAG provides scientific advice to the Commission and its ad hoc working groups, assesses and reports to the Commission on the status of stocks in the area covered by the Commission and accesses the situation, trends and prospects of fisheries in the region. The SAG meets every two years in the year when the Commission meets.Working groupsFishery management advice and recommendations, based on the best available scientific information, are provided for members to implement through ad hoc working groups, established by the Commission. The groups were decided:
  1. on basis of ecosystem boundaries (e.g. Working Group on Shrimp and Groundfish Fisheries in the Brazil-Guianas Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem);
  2. on species/stocks (e.g. Working Group on Caribbean Spiny Lobster; Queen Conch and Flying Fish); or
  3. on specific subjects/issues (e.g. Working Group on Anchored Fish Attracting Devices in the Lesser Antilles).
Fishery scientists, managers and decision-makers of member countries participate in the working groups, which have specific terms of reference and are time bound. The data used by the working groups to generate fishery management advice and recommendations are collected by the participating countries.

The working groups meet on a regular basis, the timing of which is decided by the members.
SecretariatThe Secretariat is provided by FAO. It is based in the Subregional Office for the Caribbean (SLC). The WECAFC is a member of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats Network, which meets biennially.
Activities and meetingsThe work programme of the WECAFC, that was approved by the Commission for the 2006/07 biennium, has its activities arranged under the following themes:
  • Fisheries assessment and management.
  • Capacity building.
  • Technology/knowledge transfer.
  • Coordination and liaison (with regional and international institutions and programmes/projects
These activities are conducted in addition to the advisory services (policy advice, provision of information, management advice, legal, etc.) the Commission usually provides.
Publications
Commission reports
details
COPACO - Rapport de la septième session de la Commission des pêches pour l'Atlantique ...
Rapport de la septieme Session de la Commission des Peches pour L'Atlantique Centre-Ouest (1991)
Working groups/Party reports
Lesser Antilles reports
Circulars
Contact

Mr Raymon van Anrooy

FAO Secretary to WECAFC

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Subregional Office for the Caribbean (FAO-SLC)
2nd floor , United Nations House, Marine Gardens, Hastings
Christ Church
BB11000
Barbados

Telephone: +1(246) 426-7110/11; Ext.249

Fax: +1(246) 427-6075

Email: WECAFC-Secretariat@fao.org