Minister Andre Perez Calls for Stronger Regional Support for Fisherfolk

Belize’s Minister of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, Honorable Andre Perez, has called for stronger regional cooperation to support fisherfolk and promote sustainable fishing practices across the Caribbean.
Speaking during the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, held in Jamaica from September 27 to October 2, Perez stressed that the region must do more for those whose livelihoods depend on marine resources. “We have the fish available, we just have to be fishing smarter,” Perez said. “But we must empower our fisherfolk. I call on all governments that we have a regional responsibility to do better for our fisherfolk.”
Perez also participated in the 17th Special Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM). During the meeting, the council approved three new protocols under the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP): the Protocol on Marine Spatial Planning, the Protocol on Aquatic Foods Traceability, and the Protocol on Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.
CRFM Executive Director Dr. Marc Williams described the approval as a major step toward strengthening the governance, sustainability, and economic resilience of the Caribbean’s fisheries and marine resources. “Together, the new CCCFP protocols on marine spatial planning, aquatic foods traceability, and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing give our Member States stronger regional frameworks to manage competing uses of our ocean space, build confidence and transparency in Caribbean seafood, and protect our fisheries from illegal activities,” Williams said.
He added that the protocols would help safeguard legitimate fishers’ livelihoods, improve market access, and strengthen food and nutrition security. They also aim to ensure marine resources provide lasting benefits for communities across the region.
Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, Honorable Rodwell Ferguson, also addressed one of the event’s forums, discussing policies to encourage investment in food production. “In terms of food investment, in Belize we have passed a Bill in which if any investor would like to partner with the public sector, they can access tax exemptions through the government’s unit called Beltraide,” Ferguson said.
The event highlighted the Caribbean’s blue economy role in strengthening food security and economic resilience through sustainable marine resource management, fisheries innovation, and regional collaboration.
Discussions emphasized the need to protect marine resources while supporting fishing communities and creating sustainable economic opportunities for future generations. Other priorities included mobilizing private capital and addressing sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to facilitate regional trade.