FAO Fisheries Department Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission

September 1999

WECAFC/IX/99/7E

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Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission

Ninth Session

WECAFC - Lesser Antilles Fisheries Committee

Sixth Session

Castries, Saint Lucia, 27-30 September 1999

INTERSESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EIGHTH SESSION

INTRODUCTION

1. The objective of this document is to inform the Commission on inter-sessional activities and action taken by the Secretariat as follow-up to the recommendations of the eighth Session of the Commission held in Caracas in November 1995. The document is divided in two sections. Section A provides information on the actions taken with respect to the recommendations of the eighth Session of the Commission and Section B which contains an annotated listing of major regular programme activities and fisheries projects executed by FAO in the region during the intersessional period. It should be emphasised that the majority of regular programme activities and fisheries projects executed by FAO in the region were a consequence of the recommendations of the eighth Session of the Commission.
A. ACTIONS TAKEN ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF EIGHTH SESSION

State of Fisheries in the WECAFC Region

2. FAO endorsed and participated in the international Queen Conch Conference, Puerto Rico, 29-31 July 1996, which was organised by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (CFMC). The Conference established a Queen Conch Working Group which met in Costa Rica, 15-17 July 1997. FAO participated in the Working Group meetings.

3. Although the Working Party on Assessment of Marine Fishery Resources did meet it focused its attention on the situation of fisheries in the region with respect to the future of the Commission and prospects for enhancing regional cooperation. The Working Party concluded that there was an urgent need for regional approaches to management of the many fisheries resources and WECAFC is the appropriate body to undertake this task. The conclusions and recommendations of the Working Party are contained in FAO Fisheries Report No. 576 (WECAFC/IX/99/Inf. 4).

4. It should be mentioned here that the Working Party on Fisheries Economics and Planning also met and focused its attention on the future role of the Commission. The Working Party concluded that the most convenient course would be to continue WECAFC within the system of FAO Commissions and that any restructuring process be guided by the criteria of flexibility and a gradualistic approach when establishing structures and executing programmes. The conclusions and recommendations of the Working Party are contained in FAO Fisheries Report No. 581 (WECAFC/IX/99/Inf. 3).

5. Regional workshops on assessment and management of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster (1997 and 1998) and shrimp and groundfish fisheries in the Guiana-Brazil shelf (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999) were held. The technical reports for the 1996 Meeting, FAO Fisheries Report No. 544 and 544 (Supplement) were published; the meeting reports for 1997 and 1998 were published as Denmark Funds in Trust, Report on Activities No. 34 and 46 respectively.

6. A number (about seven) of regional and sub-regional training courses in tropical fish stock assessment were organised with the support of project GCP/INT/575/DEN - Training in Tropical Fish Stock Assessment and Fishery Research Planning. It should be pointed out that generally the level of expertise in the WECAFC region in basic resource issues is adequate.
Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

7. Discussions on the implementation of the Code was included in the two WECAFC Working Party meetings and in the Twenty-fifth FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean.

8. A sub-regional workshop on the Adaptation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries for the Lesser Antilles was held on 23 - 24 August 1999 in Barbados.

9. The provisions of the Code were explained at regional, sub-regional and national workshops and seminars organised by FAO and non-FAO bodies (e.g. CFRAMP fisheries management workshops, Guyana�s National Seminar on Aquaculture).
Promotion of Regional Cooperation

10. The following countries of the WECAFC region have signed the FAO Programme on the Use of Experts for TCDC: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela.

11. TCDC exchanges in the region involved Belize, Brazil, Cuba, Guyana, Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.

12. A sub-regional workshop was held (1997) on the drafting of harmonised fisheries legislation for the OECS member countries with respect to Fish Stocks and Compliance Agreements (shared stocks and straddling and highly migratory species).
Future Role of WECAFC in Fisheries Conservation and Management

13. This subject was the primary objective of the Seventh Session of the WECAFC Working Party on the Assessment of Marine Fisheries Resources and the Second Session of the Working Party on Fishery Economics and Planning (1997).

14. The conclusions and recommendations of the Working Parties are contained in FAO Fisheries Report No. 576 (WECAFC/IX/99/Inf. 4) and FAO Fisheries Report No. 581 (WECAFC/IX/99/Inf. 3) respectively.

15. The Secretariat of the WECAFC Commission is now located at the FAO Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean (SLAC) in Barbados. The SLAC Regional Fishery Officer, who is also the Secretary of WECAFC continued giving support to the Caribbean and Central American countries in fishery matters with particular reference to artisanal fisheries and aquaculture. Support from the FAO Regional Fisheries Officer based in Chile and from FAO Headquarters in various aspects was also provided.
B. LIST OF ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS IN THE WECAFC REGION DURING THE INTERSESSIONAL PERIOD

16. There are two main classes of FAO Assistance: firstly, that provided from FAO�s Regular Programme, which ranges from technical support services and backstopping missions by FAO staff based at the Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean and the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean or from Headquarters, Rome. These include Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) activities which are authorised after consideration of specific requests from member governments for urgent short-term assistance. The second class of assistance covers field projects funded from FAO�s extrabudgetary sources i.e. voluntary contributions provided by various donors to finance specific activities. In some cases, projects are funded by the recipient countries themselves (Unilateral Trust Funds).
MAJOR FAO ACTIVITIES

17. The following major activities were undertaken in the WECAFC Region with the financial support of the FAO Regular Programme or GCP Projects.

With financial support from GCP/INT/575/DEN - Training in Tropical Fish Stock Assessment and Fishery Research Planning and in cooperation with the CARICOM Fisheries Resource and Assessment Management Programme (CFRAMP):

- Regional workshops on assessment and management of the Caribbean spiny lobster (1997 and 1998) and shrimp and groundfish fisheries (1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999) were held. Participants in these workshops included officials from some SIDs such as Jamaica, St. Lucia, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas and Bermuda.

- Regional Training course in tropical fish stock assessment (in which the Caribbean SIDs were involved) 1996.

- Ad hoc technical assistance to CFRAMP (which includes most of the Caribbean SIDs) through workshops on small coastal pelagics and flying-fish resources, fisheries management, and the formulation of some national fisheries management plans.

With financial support from FIMLAP, a workshop was held on drafting of fisheries legislation with reference to the Fish Stocks and Compliance Agreements for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) (1997).

With financial support from GCP/INT/609/DEN - Training in Fish Technology and Quality Assurance, a regional training course in Fish Quality Assurance and HACCP (1997).

Through the FAO�s Partnership Programme, technical assistance was provided to Guyana in aquaculture and fish quality assurance for the small-scale fishery (1997, 1998).

Technical assistance to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in preparation of the fisheries component of the Agriculture Sector Study (1997).

Technical Assistance to the Government of Barbados in conducting a study on "Strategies for Improving Fisheries Management and Production in Barbados" (1998).

Study on the "Strategic Assessment of the Potential for Inland Fish Farming in the Caribbean Island States", 1997. COPESCAL Technical Paper No. 10. Suppl.

Technical assistance to the Government of Belize on the cultivation of marine algae and training in cultivation techniques (1996).

Technical assistance to the Government of Venezuela on SARPA�s fishery data collection and processing systems and the pilot testing of FAO/ARTFISH System. 1996-97.

With financial support from the Regular Programme, the ad hoc WECAFC flying-fish Working Group met from 22-24 September 1999 in Barbados. One of the main outputs was a work-programme for the group.

With financial support from the Regular Programme, a workshop on the marketing of fishery products in Latin America and the Caribbean was held in Uruguay, 14-18 June 1999. The main output was an outline for a regional project on the marketing of fishery products in the region.
LIST OF FAO FISHERIES PROJECTS

NATIONAL

Bahamas

Management Options for Spiny Lobster Fishery (TCP/BHA/4453). 1995-97. US$ 95 000.

Brazil

Aquaculture Development in Support of Coastal Communities (TCP/BRA/6714). 1998.
Preparatory Assistance in Support of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Brazil (UTF/053/BRA). 1998. The project addresses the issue of restructuring the Department of Fisheries in Brazil and a review of the National Fisheries Information System.

Colombia

Analysis of the strategic components of the Colombian Fisheries Sector - Policy Formulation (TCP/COL/6611). 1997/1998.
FAO Investment Centre project formulation mission in artisanal fisheries and small scale aquaculture. 1998.

Cuba

Multidisciplinary FIMLAP missions to Cuba to provide policy and technical advice on aquaculture development. 1998. (Three missions).
Development of Shrimp Culture in Cuba (CUB/91/005). 1996-97. US$ 15 000.
Cultivation of Tilapia in Coastal Lagoons (TCP/CUB/2252). 1995-97.

Dominican Republic

Revision of the Fisheries Legislation (TCP/DOM/4552). 1995-97.

Guatemala

FIMLAP multidisciplinary mission to prepare a fisheries sector review and to provide advice on policy and planning, management, marketing, legal and institutional matters with special reference to small-scale fisheries. September 1997.

Guyana

Design and Construction of a Freshwater Aquaculture Demonstration Farm and Training Centre (TCP/GUY/8922); July 1999-December 2000. US$ 99 000.

Haiti

Support Unit for the Management of Artificial Lakes (HAI/89/024), 1997-98. Support within the framework of the programme for the construction of water bodies in the Central Plateau region for agriculture and aquaculture production.
Définition d�une politique et élaboration d�un plan d�action pour la pêche (TCP/HAI/6712 (A)). December 1997-November 1998. US$ 252 000.

Jamaica

Assistance in Revising Fisheries Legislation. (TCP/JAM/4553). 1995-97.

Mexico

Encourage the utilisation of selected integral fish products. (UTF/MEX/034/MEX). 1995-97.
To improve the production and living standards of artisanal fishers through fishing demonstrations. (TCP/MEX/4556). 1995-97.
Modernisation of the Fisheries Sector (UTF/MEX/035/MEX). 1995-97.

Venezuela

Genetic improvement of Tilapia (TCP/VEN/6611). 1996-97. US$ 205 000.

REGIONAL

Implementation of HACCP in the fishing industry (TCP/RLA/6617). Support to Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua in 1997 and Mexico and the Dominican Republic in 1998.
Sub-regional training in Meat Inspection and HACCP (including fisheries) for the Caribbean. TCP/RLA/6720. 1997-1998. US$ 202 000.
Assistance in sustaining responsible shrimp fisheries and measures for the protection and conservation of marine turtles in the Western Hemisphere (TCP/RLA/4556). 1995-97.
Contribution to the preparation of the study "Sustainable fisheries in Central America" Report No. 98/071 CP-CAM. FAO/World Bank Cooperative Programme. 1998.
Review of the situation, trends and prospects of fisheries and aquaculture in the Latin American and Caribbean region as an input to the preparation of the FAO global study "The State of Fisheries and Aquaculture 1996". FAO Fisheries Circular No. 921 "Fisheries and Aquaculture in Latin America and the Caribbean: Situation and Outlook in 1996".

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

Antigua/
Barbuda

Emergency Supply of Essential Agricultural and Fisheries Inputs to the Population Affected by Hurricane "Luis" (TCP/ANT/4551). December 1995-April 1997. To assist the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in its programme of post-disaster relief, through the supply of basic inputs to the most affected farmers and fishermen to enable them to resume production activities. US$ 236 000.
Emergency Assistance to Farmers Affected by Hurricane "Georges" (TCP/ANT/8922(E)); March 1999-February 2000. US$ 133 160.

Dominica

Emergency Relief for the Fishing Industry following Hurricane "Luis" (TCP/DMI/6611). March 1996 - December 1997. To assist the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica in reviving the artisanal fishery sector through the provision of 15 boats with engines to the most affected fishermen, in repairing the "Vieille Case" landing site and providing appropriate technical assistance. US$ 121 000.
Emergency Relief for the Fisheries Industry in the Commonwealth of Dominica following Tropical Storm "Debbie" (TCP/DMI/4552). 1995-97.
Emergency Relief for the Fishing Industry Following Tropical Storm "Debbie" (TCP/DMI/4551). April 1995 - June 1996. To assist the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica to revive the artisanal fishery sector through the provision of inputs, repair of landing sites and corresponding technical assistance. US$ 137 400.

St. Kitts/Nevis

Emergency Supply of Essential Fisheries and Agricultural Inputs to the population Affected Nevis by Hurricane "Luis" (TCP/STK/5611). March 1996 - February 1997. To assist the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis in its programme of post disaster relief through the supply of basic production inputs to 358 of the most affected small-scale farmers and fishermen to enable them to resume production activities. US$ 147 000.
Emergency Assistance to Farmers Affected by Hurricane "Georges" (1998) (TCP/STK/8923). January 1999 - December 2000. To assist the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis in its programme of post-disaster relief through the supply of basic production inputs to 358 of the most affected small-scale farmers and fishermen to enable them to resume production activities. US$ 147 000.

C. SUPPORT TO THE SPECIAL PROGRAMME ON FOOD SECURITY (SPFS)

18. This programme is applied in the Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries. In Latin America and the Caribbean, SPFS has become operational in Bolivia and Haiti and is about to start operations in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. FAO has established a SPFS Support Group, which includes fishery and aquaculture officers.
D. TELEFOOD

19. In its continuing search for new solutions to win the battle against hunger and malnutrition, FAO launched TELEFOOD, which is a televised event aimed at increasing public awareness of world hunger and encouraging contributions to support grass root projects that help poor farming families (including fishers) in the developing world produce food.

20. Donations to TELEFOOD go directly to grass roots development projects aimed at helping people to build lives free of hunger. These micro-projects provide tools, seeds, livestock, and essential supplies to farmers and other rural residents, especially women. All projects are reviewed by government and FAO experts to make sure that the tools and techniques are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. None of the money donated to TELEFOOD is diverted to administrative costs. All the money collected goes towards projects.
�97 Special Fund

21. Out of 111 project proposals, 59 projects in 23 countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region were approved for a total value of US$ 441 834.
�98 Special Fund

22. Out of 8 project proposals, 4 projects in 3 countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region were approved for a total value of US$ 27 373.

Antigua/ Barbuda	Emergency Supply of Essential Agricultural and Fisheries Inputs to the Population Affected by Hurricane "Luis" (TCP/ANT/4551). December 1995-April 1997. To assist the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in its programme of post-disaster relief, through the supply of basic inputs to the most affected farmers and fishermen to enable them to resume production activities. US$ 236 000. Emergency Assistance to Farmers Affected by Hurricane "Georges" (TCP/ANT/8922(E)); March 1999-February 2000. US$ 133 160.

Dominica	Emergency Relief for the Fishing Industry following Hurricane "Luis" (TCP/DMI/6611). March 1996 - December 1997. To assist the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica in reviving the artisanal fishery sector through the provision of 15 boats with engines to the most affected fishermen, in repairing the "Vieille Case" landing site and providing appropriate technical assistance. US$ 121 000. Emergency Relief for the Fisheries Industry in the Commonwealth of Dominica following Tropical Storm "Debbie" (TCP/DMI/4552). 1995-97. Emergency Relief for the Fishing Industry Following Tropical Storm "Debbie" (TCP/DMI/4551). April 1995 - June 1996. To assist the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica to revive the artisanal fishery sector through the provision of inputs, repair of landing sites and corresponding technical assistance. US$ 137 400.

St. Kitts/Nevis	Emergency Supply of Essential Fisheries and Agricultural Inputs to the population Affected Nevis by Hurricane "Luis" (TCP/STK/5611). March 1996 - February 1997. To assist the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis in its programme of post disaster relief through the supply of basic production inputs to 358 of the most affected small-scale farmers and fishermen to enable them to resume production activities. US$ 147 000. Emergency Assistance to Farmers Affected by Hurricane "Georges" (1998) (TCP/STK/8923). January 1999 - December 2000. To assist the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis in its programme of post-disaster relief through the supply of basic production inputs to 358 of the most affected small-scale farmers and fishermen to enable them to resume production activities. US$ 147 000.

Bahamas	Management Options for Spiny Lobster Fishery (TCP/BHA/4453). 1995-97. US$ 95 000.

Brazil	Aquaculture Development in Support of Coastal Communities (TCP/BRA/6714). 1998. Preparatory Assistance in Support of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Brazil (UTF/053/BRA). 1998. The project addresses the issue of restructuring the Department of Fisheries in Brazil and a review of the National Fisheries Information System.

Colombia	Analysis of the strategic components of the Colombian Fisheries Sector - Policy Formulation (TCP/COL/6611). 1997/1998. FAO Investment Centre project formulation mission in artisanal fisheries and small scale aquaculture. 1998.

Cuba	Multidisciplinary FIMLAP missions to Cuba to provide policy and technical advice on aquaculture development. 1998. (Three missions). Development of Shrimp Culture in Cuba (CUB/91/005). 1996-97. US$ 15 000. Cultivation of Tilapia in Coastal Lagoons (TCP/CUB/2252). 1995-97.

Dominican Republic	Revision of the Fisheries Legislation (TCP/DOM/4552). 1995-97.

Guatemala	FIMLAP multidisciplinary mission to prepare a fisheries sector review and to provide advice on policy and planning, management, marketing, legal and institutional matters with special reference to small-scale fisheries. September 1997.

Guyana	Design and Construction of a Freshwater Aquaculture Demonstration Farm and Training Centre (TCP/GUY/8922); July 1999-December 2000. US$ 99 000.

Haiti	Support Unit for the Management of Artificial Lakes (HAI/89/024), 1997-98. Support within the framework of the programme for the construction of water bodies in the Central Plateau region for agriculture and aquaculture production. Définition d�une politique et élaboration d�un plan d�action pour la pêche (TCP/HAI/6712 (A)). December 1997-November 1998. US$ 252 000.

Jamaica	Assistance in Revising Fisheries Legislation. (TCP/JAM/4553). 1995-97.

Mexico	Encourage the utilisation of selected integral fish products. (UTF/MEX/034/MEX). 1995-97. To improve the production and living standards of artisanal fishers through fishing demonstrations. (TCP/MEX/4556). 1995-97. Modernisation of the Fisheries Sector (UTF/MEX/035/MEX). 1995-97.

Venezuela	Genetic improvement of Tilapia (TCP/VEN/6611). 1996-97. US$ 205 000.