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The main objectives of the Workshop on Sustainable Utilization of Bycatch in Latin America and Caribbean Trawl Fisheries were toa) review and discuss successful approaches and technologies for the utilization of fisheries bycatch/discards and highlight associated barriers and challenges; b) explore feasible solutions to improve the utilization of bottom trawl bycatch and discards; c) Raise awareness of the role of the sector in managing and utilizing bycatch; and d) agree on a strategy and the case studies to be carried out at project pilot sites.

The workshop was hosted by the WECAFC Secretariat under the auspices of FAO and was attended by national focal points (the country teams) from the six countries participating in the project (Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago) as well as private sector from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. Other participants included representatives of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Central America Fisheries and Aquaculture Organization (OSPESCA), Marist University of Merida, the Ocean Trust and Hordafor AS. FAO was represented by officers from the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (FIA), and the Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean Barbados (SLC).

Achievements of the workshop included: (i) review and awareness of historical bycatch utilization initiatives in the world and region; (ii) an agreed common strategy to develop bycatch utilization initiatives in every country; (iii) a rapid assessment of the viability of bycatch utilization practices in all project counties and the identification of crucial and urgent areas for action; and (iii) agreement on actions required for sustainable bycatch utilization in the region