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Fisheries Minister Raises Small Island Challenges at Global FAO Forum. Read more here: tinyurl.com/44fjs64b.
๐จ MISSING AT SEA ALERT โ THREE FISHERMEN OVERDUE ๐จ
Authorities and the maritime community are being asked to keep a sharp lookout for a missing fishing vessel and three men who have not been heard from since Wednesday night. The vessel departed on a fishing trip but failed to return Thursday morning as expected, and no contact has been made since.
Persons on Board:
โข Carlton Cedric Pitt aka โNagamootooโ โ Vessel Owner & Captain (D.O.B: 17 Jan 1978)
โข Devon Barrymore Prince aka โGrease Gunโ โ Crew (D.O.B: 26 Jul 1970)
โข Adrian Derrick Pryce aka โIvanโ โ Crew (D.O.B: 26 Sep 1968)
Vessel Information:
โ Name: FAITH P
โ Type: Launch (Forward Cabin)
โ Color: White
โ Length: 28 ft | Beam: 11 ft | Draft: 2.5 ft
โ Propulsion: Twin John Deere 150HP Diesel Engines
Debris believed to be from the vessel has reportedly been located, and mariners traveling between Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Martin, and St. Barths are urged to remain vigilant and report any sightings immediately.
๐ The families are anxiously awaiting news. Please share this alert widely so that fishermen, sailors, cargo vessels, and the wider maritime community can assist in the search.
โ ๏ธ If you see this vessel or the men, please contact the nearest Coast Guard or maritime authority immediately.
#MissingAtSea #MarineAlert #CaribbeanSea #Fishermen #SearchAndRescue #MaritimeSafety
#suriname
Mark Lall, Secretary of the Fishermenโs Collective
The increase in fuel prices due to the war in the Middle East could cause fish prices on the Surinamese market to rise. This is confirmed by Mark Lall, secretary of the Fishermenโs Collective, in an interview with SUN. โThe fuel price has now become a major challenge in the fisheries sector. The operating costs of the boats are rising, while other expenses such as feed are also increasing. This makes the cost per kilogram of fish more expensive,โ says Lall.
The fisheries sector is not dependent on government subsidies
Lall notes that the fisheries subcategory within the agricultural chain is the only one not dependent on government subsidies. โWe do not receive any government support. On the contrary, we look among ourselves at how we can earn more from our fish yields. Although we do not request support from the government, it is still welcome. Sometimes it seems unfair for the fisheries sector when we see how other subcategories in agriculture receive heavy support,โ emphasizes the board member of the Fishermenโs Collective.
Bad weather
Another challenge the fisheries sector has been facing for some time is bad weather. Climatic conditions are changing, making the sea very rough. This affects fish catches, which means higher prices are needed to cover costs. Most fish is exported. โLetโs hope that foreign buyers are still willing to pay more for our fish,โ Lall notes.
Role of the government
Although the fisheries sector may not be financially dependent on the government, the government still has an important role in facilitating the sector. โThe government has a guiding role here. They set the regulations we work under and make the policies. They issue fishing permits and ensure enforcement of the strict rules. Our fishing grounds must be protected, and illegal activities must be combated.โ Lall also draws attention to unfair competition. โLegal fishermen who meet all requirements and pay taxes must be protected against illegal fishers who do not follow the rules and also do not pay taxes. That is unfair competition,โ says the secretary of the Fishermenโs Collective.
Finally, he calls on the government to involve fishermen when creating policies in this area. โFishermen have experience and knowledge of the sector, know where the problems lie, and what the solutions can be. Stakeholders in this sector must be involved,โ concludes Lall.
Hogere brandstofkosten kan visprijzen omhoog stuwen
sun.sr
De verhoging van de brandstofprijzen als gevolg van de oorlog in het Midden-Oosten kan maken dat de prijzen van vis op de Surinaamse markt omhoog gaan. Dat bevestigt Mark Lall, secRyders News | Business & Economy
๐ฌ๐ฉ Grenada Regains Access to U.S. Seafood Market After Updating Marine Mammal Protections
St. Georgeโs, Grenada โ Grenada has regained access to the United States seafood market after updating its fisheries laws to comply with international marine protection standards.
In September 2025, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) determined that Grenadaโs fisheries regulations were not comparable to those required under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
The concern centered on the fact that Grenada did not have legislation specifically prohibiting the intentional killing or serious injury of marine mammals during fishing operations. Because of this regulatory gap, the United States implemented a ban on fish and fish product imports from Grenada beginning January 1, 2026.
Grenada Moves Quickly to Fix the Issue
In response, the Government of Grenada moved swiftly to address the regulatory concerns and align its fisheries laws with international standards.
On December 5, 2025, Grenada passed the Fisheries (Marine Mammals) Regulations 2025, introducing several key protections.
The updated regulations include:
โข A ban on the intentional killing, capture, harassment, or serious injury of marine mammals.
โข A marine mammal management and monitoring program.
โข Mandatory reporting requirements for marine mammal interactions and accidental bycatch.
โข Stronger monitoring of fisheries, including licensing controls, vessel oversight, fisher interviews, and logbook reporting.
โข A ban on harmful fishing gear, including large-scale drift gillnets.
NOAA Reverses Earlier Decision
After reviewing Grenadaโs updated application and regulatory framework, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) concluded that Grenadaโs fisheries management system now meets the comparability requirements of the U.S. regulatory program.
Officials noted that Grenada has had no recorded marine mammal landings in the past 30 years, indicating a historically low impact on marine mammals.
While monitoring programs are still developing, Grenada is receiving technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to strengthen enforcement and data collection.
Plans include:
โข Implementing observer programs aboard vessels
โข Training fishers on safe practices
โข Introducing gear modifications designed to reduce risks to marine mammals
Positive Outcome for Grenadian Fisheries
Following the review, NMFS granted comparability findings for all of Grenadaโs fisheries, effectively reversing the September 2025 decision.
This means Grenadian fish exports can once again enter the U.S. market, preserving an important economic channel for the islandโs fishing industry.
Bottom Line
Grenada briefly lost access to the U.S. seafood market after regulators determined its fisheries laws lacked protections for marine mammals. After passing new regulations and strengthening oversight, the United States has now approved Grenadaโs fisheries program, allowing exports to resume.
For Grenadian fishers and seafood exporters, the decision represents a major step in maintaining access to one of the worldโs largest seafood markets.
โToday, the World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) gathered virtually under the organization of its Womenโs Assembly to celebrate International Women's Day. Here is Ms. Shareash Cephas of the Bahamas representing the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO).โ
Good [morning/afternoon/evening] everyone,
I am pleased to present this narrative report on what has been done since the Global Fisherwomen Assembly, and to reflect on the positive steps that have followed that historic gathering.
In August 2025, eight women connected to the fishing industry in their respective countries in the Caribbean travelled to Thailand to participate in the first-ever Global Fisherwomen Assembly of the World Forum of Fisher Peoples. That meeting was far more than a gathering. It was a landmark moment. It gave fisherwomen from around the world the opportunity to meet, to listen, to learn from one another, and to speak with one voice about their realities, their rights, and their hopes for the future. The Declaration coming out of that Assembly affirmed fisherwomen as central to the protection of seas, coasts, inland waters, communities, and future generations. It also called for dignity, justice, equality, and recognition of womenโs contributions within fishing communities.
One of the most important things we can say today is that the momentum did not end in Thailand. The women returned home carrying not just memories of an international meeting, but a renewed sense of purpose. Since that time, positive action has been taken, and the spirit of the Assembly has begun to show itself in real and meaningful ways.
A key positive outcome has been the active participation of the women in the CNFO leadership modules from October to December 2025. This was an important step because it demonstrated that the women did not simply attend an international forum and return unchanged. Instead, they moved into continued leadership development and capacity-building. That follow-up matters. It shows commitment. It shows readiness to grow. It shows that the women are strengthening their ability to lead within their organizations and communities. This also fits closely with the recommendations coming out of the post-Assembly discussions, which highlighted the need for training in gender sensitivity, financial literacy, small business management, business continuity planning, fish handling and processing, self-protection and safety awareness, network building, policy advocacy, and climate resilience.
Another major positive since the Assembly was the recognition and observance of International Fisherwomenโs Day. In its resolutions, the Assembly declared November 5th as the International Day of Fisherwomen and called for continued support for womenโs assemblies at every level.
That declaration was not allowed to remain only words on paper. On 6 November 2025, a workshop was held to recognize and mark this important occasion. That was a powerful step, because it turned an international resolution into visible local and regional action.
That observance gave fisherwomen the spotlight they deserve. It created space to recognize their labour, their sacrifices, their skills, and their leadership. It reminded us that fisherwomen are not on the margins of the fishing industry. They are at its heart. They are harvesters, processors, vendors, organizers, caregivers, protectors, and leaders. In fact, the language used in the poem prepared for that occasion captured this beautifully, describing women as โcaptain and crew, owner and organizer, tender of mangroves, keeper of reefs and seasons and rights.โ
That message of recognition was not simply poetic; it reflected the deeper truth of womenโs role across the fisheries sector.
Since the Thailand meeting, there has also been a clear positive shift toward greater visibility for fisherwomenโs identities and contributions. The Declaration specifically demanded that the identities of โfisherwomen,โ โwomen fish gatherers,โ and โseafood collectorsโ be recognized and included in the language used to describe fisher peoples. It also called for recognition of the historical role of fisherwomen in protecting, sustaining, and reproducing fishing ways of life.
This is significant, because naming women properly is part of valuing women properly. Recognition is not a small matter. It is the foundation for representation, support, and justice.
A further positive outcome is that the conversations after the Assembly have not only been inspirational, but practical. The recommendations document shows that serious thought has been given to policy development and protective mechanisms, especially around issues such as sexual harassment, grievance procedures, support systems, reporting channels, accountability, and cultural sensitivity. It also outlines an important role for the womenโs assembly in awareness-raising, advocacy, policy monitoring, support networking, capacity building, and representation.
This tells us that the work ahead is being approached with seriousness and structure. It means that the women are not only raising their voices, but also helping to shape the systems that will better protect and empower fisherwomen in the future.
Perhaps one of the most powerful positives of all is the strengthening of solidarity. The Assembly made clear that fisherwomen across the world share common struggles, including discrimination, exclusion, violence, insecure livelihoods, and threats to their territories and traditional ways of life. But it also made clear that fisherwomen share strength, courage, wisdom, and determination. The Declaration ends with a powerful truth: there is no liberation of fisher people without the liberation of fisherwomen.
Since the meeting, that sense of solidarity has grown. The women who attended have become part of something larger than themselves. They are linked not only by occupation, but by purpose.
So when we ask what has been done since the meeting, the answer is encouraging.
Since the Global Fisherwomen Assembly, the women have remained engaged. They have participated in leadership training through the CNFO modules. They have supported the recognition of International Fisherwomenโs Day through a workshop held on 6 November 2025. They have helped bring greater visibility to the role and identity of fisherwomen. They have advanced important policy discussions around protection, training, and representation. And they have strengthened the bonds of solidarity among fisherwomen locally, regionally, and globally.
This is important progress. It may not yet be the end of the journey, but it is a meaningful beginning. It shows that the Assembly in Thailand was not just a moment; it was a movement. It planted seeds of leadership, advocacy, and recognition, and those seeds are already beginning to grow.
As we reflect on the positives, we must also recognize that this work now calls for continuity. The momentum must be maintained. The voices must continue to be heard. The training must continue. The advocacy must continue. And the recognition of fisherwomen must continue until it becomes standard, not exceptional.
In closing, the story since Thailand is one of promise. It is a story of women returning home with renewed strength. It is a story of leadership being nurtured, of visibility being claimed, and of fisherwomen being honoured not only for what they do, but for who they are. And it is a story that reminds us that when women in fishing communities are recognized, supported, and empowered, the entire community rises with them.
Thank you.
How is your Saturday going? Members in Dominica working on a Fishing Aggregating Device.
+++ Indigenous Peoples and social movements reaffirm unity and support to ICARRD+20 organisers, but reject conference declaration at closing ceremony +++
Press release here www.foodsovereignty.org/en-ipc-press-release-icarrd20/
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+++ Los Pueblos Indรญgenas y los movimientos sociales reafirman su unidad y su apoyo a los organizadores de la CIRADR+20, pero rechazan la declaraciรณn de la conferencia en la ceremonia de clausura +++
Comunicado aqui www.foodsovereignty.org/es/es_ipc-press-release-icarrd/
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+++ Les Peuples Autochtones et les mouvements sociaux rรฉaffirment leur unitรฉ et leur soutien aux organisateurs de la CIRADR+20, mais rejettent la dรฉclaration de la confรฉrence lors de la cรฉrรฉmonie de clรดture +++
Communiquรฉ ici www.foodsovereignty.org/fr/fripc-press-release-icarrd20/
@follower
#ICARRD20 #TierraParaLaVida #CIRADR20
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.IT IS OUT: The Final Declaration of the Peoples and Social Movements Forum: Land for Life, Livelihood, and a Liveable Future for All !
From Cartagena, the Forum of Peoples and Social Movements has adopted its Final Political Declaration - Peoples want real, integral agrarian reform!
โWe are not gathered here to commemorate. We are gathered here to transform.โ
๐ข This is a call for food sovereignty, land justice, and international solidarity.
Read the full Final Declaration here: shorturl.at/FXHrf
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shorturl.at
ICARRD+20 must move beyond technocratic fixes to implement real, integral agrarian reform: Global Social Movements in CartagenaUnion Islandโs beaches have been shrinking due to coastal erosion, largely influenced by wave action and rising sea levels. It has been observed that these beaches are significantly narrowing over the years.
Photo Credit: Mr. Peter Regis
๐ CNFO Welcomes a New Member! ๐ฃ
The Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO) is pleased to announce that the CNFO Board has officially approved the admission of the Tortola Fisherfolk Organisation of the British Virgin Islands as a member of CNFO.
This decision was taken during the 11th Meeting of the CNFO Board, held on 22 October 2025, where all members present unanimously agreed to their acceptance.
The Board noted that the Tortola Fisherfolk Organisation is formally established and registered since 5th July 2024, and that representatives from the British Virgin Islands have previously participated in the last CNFO General Assembly as observers.
CNFO has also been actively supporting the development of fisherfolk organisations in the Virgin Islands through its collaboration with the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI). Amongst many activities, the CNFO organised a 4-module leadership development program for fisherfolk in the Virgin Islands, which was hosted on the CNFO Leadership Institute.
The initiative was part of the project, โCapacity building in fisheries evidence, networks and management in the Virgin Islandsโ, funded by the UK Government through Darwin Plus. Learn more here: canari.org/cefas-bvi/
๐ Congratulations and welcome to the CNFO family!
#CNFO10Years #CNFOAnniversary #FisherfolkStrong #RegionalUnity #SmallScaleFisheries #CaribbeanFisherfolk #BVI #CANARICaribbean #CNFO
๐๐๐พ ๐ง๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ฅ๐ง๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฃ! ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐ด! ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ & ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ก๐๐ข...
The CRFM recently participated in the Regional Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) and Stewardship Action Learning Group (ALG). This activity is being implemented by the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO), Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) and Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (UWI-CERMES) under the CBF-funded project, "๐ด๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ธ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ ๐ก๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐โ ๐ก๐ ๐น๐๐ โ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฟ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐โ๐๐๐๐ ."
The activity, which commenced in August 2025, has been bringing together representatives from fisherfolk organisations, national government agencies, and civil society organizations. The three countries primarily engaged are Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The ALGs, through a series of monthly lectures, have been exploring a range of topics:
โ Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries
โ Ecosystem Health
โ Resilient Livelihoods
โ Governance &
โ Climate Change
Ms. Sanya Compton, CRFM Programme Manager, Climate Change and Blue Economic Development Policy, Planning, and Management, delivered an interactive session on governance and policy. The session, which took place last evening on January 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM AST, was attended by nineteen participants.
Contributed by: Sanya Findingnemo Compton