The Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission will convene in Miami to promote the conservation and sustainable management of marine flora and fauna in the wider Caribbean region.
The Western Central Atlantic region is a major fishing area of economic and ecological importance and many of the region’s coastal economies depend upon the living marine resources.
It is vital, therefore, that these species, such as the spiny lobster and queen conch, are sustainably managed by all nations, including the US, that share access to these resources. These shared stocks cross national boundaries, which creates particular challenges for effective fisheries management.
The Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission, a regional fisheries body of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation with 34 members including the European Union, US and other countries fishing in Caribbean waters, provides nonbinding management advice for species in the region.
Efforts at the 17th session of the commission will focus on strengthening commitments to advance the long-term sustainability of spiny lobster, queen conch, and other shared fisheries in the Western Central Atlantic. Also on the agenda are data collection in the region to support stock assessments and a plan to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
