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Press Release first Meeting of REBYC-II LAC National Working Group

Paramaribo, 11 March 2016.

A crucial and very beneficial regional project has begun its activities.  National Working Group for the REBYC-II LAC project held its first meeting to kickoff of the project’s national activities in Suriname. The meeting, hosted by the Fisheries Department of LVV in collaboration with a team of visiting FAO experts, was attended by recognized and well known representatives of the fishing sector, the government sector, non-governmental organizations and other crucial stakeholders. Participants discussed and advised on the work plan and upcoming national activities of the project for Sustainable Management of Bycatch in Latin American and Caribbean Shrimp trawl fisheries (REBYC-II LAC).

The REBYC-II LAC project is a 5.8 million USD Global Environmental Facility (GEF) /Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) project to improve trawl fisheries in the region.  Suriname is one of the six countries that are participating in this project along with Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago. All countries will benefit with direct funds for national improvement activities and will receive training and knowledge from international and national experts to improve the capacity of their fisheries administrations and fisheries sectors.

The REBYC-II LAC project aims to reduce food loss and support sustainable livelihoods by improving the management of bycatch and minimizing discards. It will focus on improving legislation, improving catch technology and by facilitating the utilization of sustainable bycatch and therefore transform bottom trawl fisheries into responsible fisheries.  

Mr.   Carlos Fuentevilla , FAO Regional Coordinator for REBYC-II LAC emphasized that “the project seeks to safeguard both human and environmental well-being “ and that the goal is to “work with the private sector, fishers, NGOs and the civil society,  in order to both improve fishing practices and their ability to produce quality products and find good markets”.

Mr Rene Lieveld Fisheries Director for the LVV, welcomed the start of this project and noted that “in Suriname, the principle aims of the  national fisheries policy are the conservation of the biological resources of the sea and their balanced exploitation on a lasting basis and in appropriate economic and social conditions, ensuring that the impact of fishing on marine ecosystems is reduced to a minimum”.

Specific aims of the policy include particular mention of the reduction of unwanted bycatch and of protected species, and increased stakeholder participation. It is widely known, for example, that Suriname is the only REBYC-II LAC project country to have a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified trawl fishery, the Atlantic seabob shrimp fishery- which is a model for other fisheries in the region.

The project has allocated USD 550 000 for activities in Suriname and is expected will run until January 2020. The main goal is to reduce bycatch, minimize discards and ensure a sustainable fishery both for Surinamese trawlers as well as all other fishers that benefit from Surinamese aquatic resources.

A day before the working group meeting, Mr. Djoemadie Kasanmoesdiran, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries noted the importance of trawl fisheries to Suriname, particularly its role in trade and employment. He welcomed the implementation of the REBYC-II LAC project as a means to ensure the sustainability of the sector and acknowledged that the week prior he signed the Letter of Agreement between FAO and Suriname, in order to begin implementation of REBYC-II LAC.