Inaugural Meeting of FAO/WECAFC and ICCAT: Strengthening Collaboration for Sustainable Tuna and Tuna-like Fish Management

Introduction

The Inaugural Meeting of FAO/WECAFC and ICCAT reinforces their robust collaborative framework to bolster tuna and tuna-like fish sustainability along with better fisheries management in the Caribbean through improved data collection.

Meeting Overview

25 invited experts from 20 member countries are set to attend the high-level meeting in Panama City, Panama. Over 32 invited experts from 20 countries including Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago are set to attend the first Technical Meeting and Workshop of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC) and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) from May 7-8, 2025 in Panama City, Panama.

Objectives and Logistics

The workshop will outline objectives and logistics, establishing the framework for discussions on enhancing fisheries data reporting, while presentations from the organizations will address the current state of fisheries statistics data collection and reporting, with an emphasis on the strategies used by ICCAT and WECAFC on reporting obligations.

Data Gaps and Future Collaboration

The Caribbean lacks sufficient fishing data to underpin sustainable fisheries management and well-informed decision-making. The ICCAT project which supports regional data gathering and reporting in the Caribbean will be prominently featured during the workshop, with anticipated updates on the accomplishments and ongoing efforts to be presented to the delegates.

Conclusion

The workshop will conclude with the development of a concrete plan of action to address the identified data gaps within both organizations. This action plan will serve as a roadmap for future initiatives to ensure continued progress in the region’s fisheries management.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of the Inaugural Meeting of FAO/WECAFC and ICCAT? The purpose of the meeting is to strengthen collaboration for sustainable tuna and tuna-like fish management in the Caribbean through improved data collection.
Who will attend the meeting? Over 32 invited experts from 20 countries will attend the meeting.
What will be discussed during the workshop? The workshop will discuss enhancing fisheries data reporting, current state of fisheries statistics data collection and reporting, and strategies used by ICCAT and WECAFC on reporting obligations.