September 2014: The Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC) has released the report of its 15th Session. The report highlights the adoption of four regional fisheries management recommendations and five resolutions, including on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and the implementation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) Voluntary Guidelines on Small-scale fisheries and Tenure.

WECAFC adopted management recommendations on: establishment of a regional closed season for fisheries in the WECAFC area to protect spawning aggregations of groupers and snappers; fisheries sustainability and the use of fish aggregating devices; Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) management and conservation; and fisheries management planning. On Queen Conch, members agreed to, inter alia: implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) decision on ‘Regional cooperation on the management of and trade in the queen conch;’ prepare national level management and conservation plans; improve and standardize trade data and statistics; and develop a regional management plan to be presented to the 16th session of WECAFC.

WECAFC adopted resolutions on: IUU fishing; the Regional Strategy for the Control of Invasive Lionfish; the implementation of voluntary guidelines on Small-scale fisheries and Tenure; the implementation of the Port state Measures Agreement and the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on flag State performance; and the strategic action programme for the sustainable management of the shared living marine resources of the Caribbean and north Brazil shelf large marine ecosystems. On implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement and Guidelines on Flag State Performance, members agreed to, inter alia, harmonize measures and actions to implement the agreement and voluntary guidelines.

In addition, the Commission: established three working groups, including one on IUU fishing issues; adopted the WECAFC Strategic Plan 2014–2020; and approved the Programme of Work 2014–2015. Members agreed they required additional information before adopting a decision on transitioning WECAFC into a Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO).

Discussions also took place on: sustainable fisheries and food security; the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF); sea cucumber management; and sharks and marine mammals.

WECAFC is a regional fishery advisory body of the FAO with 33 countries and the European Union (EU) as members. The 15th Session took place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from 26-28 March 2014. [FAO Publication Website] [Report of the 15th Session (SLC/FIPI/FIRF/R1069 (Tri))] [IISD RS Story on WECAFC 15th Session]