Caribbean fisheries, aquaculture, and blue economy ministers recently convened virtually for the 20th Regular Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), the CARICOM body dedicated to advancing coordinated regional action on fisheries management. The teleconference gathering brought together decision-makers from across the bloc to align on shared priorities and address pressing challenges facing the region’s marine sectors.
During the meeting, delegates turned their attention to a slate of high-stakes topics central to Caribbean maritime development. Discussions spanned expanding commercial aquaculture output, updating regional frameworks to strengthen collective food security, designing climate and disaster risk mitigation strategies centered on insurance solutions, and sustaining momentum in the global fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
A core order of business for the gathering was the election of a new Chair to lead the Ministerial Council for the 2026–2027 term. Ministers voted unanimously to appoint Hon. Randy Baltimore, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, to the top role. Baltimore succeeds Hon. Kyle Hodge, Anguilla’s Minister of Economic Development, Industry, Commerce, Lands, Planning, Water and Natural Resources, who oversaw the Council’s work over the past 12-month term. Notably, Baltimore only recently assumed oversight of the fisheries portfolio following Antigua and Barbuda’s recent national elections.
In remarks following his appointment, Baltimore outlined his administration’s priorities for the term. “The Government of Antigua and Barbuda looks forward to working closely with CRFM Member States and regional partners to further the sustainable development of the Caribbean’s fisheries and blue economy sectors during its tenure as Chair,” he said. Antigua and Barbuda also reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to deepening regional collaboration for responsible fisheries management and sustainable marine resource use, with a core focus on improving the economic livelihoods of small-scale fisherfolk and driving innovative solutions to industry threats including climate change, IUU fishing, and fragmented ocean governance.
With support from Ian Horsford, Chair of the Caribbean Fisheries Forum and Chief Fisheries Officer of Antigua and Barbuda, ministers worked through a packed agenda of sector-wide issues. By the close of deliberations, the Council had approved 19 binding resolutions designed to accelerate progress on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development across the entire Caribbean region. Key decisions included the adoption of a landmark five-year strategic action plan for aquaculture expansion, as well as formal endorsement of the CRFM’s work programme and operating budget for the 2026–2027 cycle.
Delegates also received detailed progress updates on three large-scale regional initiatives being rolled out by the CRFM in partnership with member states and global development partners. These projects include the Canadian-funded Sustainable Technologies for Adaptation and Resilience in Fisheries (STAR-fish) Project, the IICA/EDF-EU Food Security Project, and the GEF/FAO/CAF/CRFM BE-CLME+ Project, which supports national blue economy planning through cross-regional marine spatial planning across the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem Plus.
In closing remarks, CRFM Executive Director Dr. Marc Williams emphasized that the Caribbean has reached a critical turning point for ocean governance, stressing that long-term prosperity depends on integrating sustainable fisheries management, aquaculture growth, climate resilience, and coordinated ocean stewardship. “The Caribbean stands at a pivotal moment when sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, the Blue Economy, climate resilience, and ocean governance must be integrated to secure prosperity for present and future generations,” Dr. Williams said. “I encourage all Member States to maintain their strong engagement in implementing today’s resolutions and to continue supporting the CRFM as a premier regional institution for fisheries and ocean governance.”
Reflecting on the meeting’s collective outcomes, Dr. Williams noted that the Council’s decisions on strategic priorities, budget, financial management, and staffing create a robust foundation for the CRFM to deliver tangible, lasting benefits to the millions of Caribbean residents who depend on healthy marine resources for livelihoods and food security. The Ministerial Council is scheduled to reconvene later this year at the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, which will be hosted in Jamaica.