CRFM and partners develop new data system for Anguilla’s fisheries – Guyana Chronicle

A TECHNICAL team from the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Secretariat is collaborating with the Fisheries and Marine Resource Unit (FMRU) of Anguilla and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission to develop a new framework for data collection, management, and reporting in Anguilla’s coastal and marine fisheries. This initiative, funded by the European Union’s Biodiversity Support Programme for ACP Coastal Environments (BioSPACE), aims to support sustainable marine and terrestrial biodiversity. Dr Sandra Grant, Deputy Executive Director of the CRFM Secretariat, highlighted the participatory approach taken in developing the framework. “Staff at Anguilla’s Fisheries and Marine Resource Unit were involved in collecting and analyzing data from fish-landing sites, an aquaponics census, and biological samples from the fish trap reef fishery,” she said. The project introduced digitisation in data collection and management to design a statistically sound data system for Anguilla. The CRFM Technical Team, including Dr Grant, Mrs Junes Masters (CRFM Statistics and Information Analyst), and Dr Pranaya Parida (CRFM Fisheries Scientist), visited Anguilla to provide hands-on training and strengthen the capacity of the FMRU. The training was conducted in two phases: online sessions from May 13-15, 2024, and an in-person census from May 21-28, 2024. Twelve participants benefited from these capacity-building activities. During the census, the team captured data on 145 fishing vessels, fish landing sites, and aquaponics facilities using digital technologies. This effort aims to update and streamline Anguilla’s vessel registration and licensing systems and support evidence-based fisheries management. The collection and analysis of biological data, such as weight, length, sex, and maturity from 10 species of finfish, will enhance the understanding of the status of fish stocks crucial for Anguilla’s food security and the livelihoods of fishers. Kafi Wallace, Director of the Fisheries and Marine Resource Unit, emphasised the importance of evidence-based decision-making for fisheries management and the development of the Anguilla Fisheries Development Plan. “The workshops were timely, especially with the ongoing changes in fisheries and the amendments to the Fisheries and Marine Parks legislation for sustainable fisheries development and coastal protection,” Wallace noted. Remone Johnson, Fisheries Manager of FMRU, praised the training provided by the CRFM. “The hands-on training has modernised our ability to make data-driven decisions. The introduction of the Kobo Toolbox will expedite data collection and analysis, reducing the chances of user-generated errors,” Johnson remarked. The EU-funded BioSPACE Project supports the sustainable development of ACP Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and coastal countries, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It aligns with the CRFM’s commitment to improving national and regional data systems in accordance with the Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy. The CRFM team thanked the FMRU for its dedication to improving the lives of fishers and their communities and acknowledged the support from the OECS Commission and the EU in strengthening the sustainability and resilience of the region’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.