Minister Hanchell receives tracking device from delegates

The meeting, held from May 3-4, was hosted by the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources and welcomed representatives from English Speaking countries in the Caribbean and the Republic of Haiti.

Organizations such as the United Nations, FAO, Caricom Secretariat, the Caribbean Regional Negotiation Machine (CRNM), CRFM Secretariat, the Secretariat of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the University of the West Indies and Duke University were also represented at the Meeting.

During the brief Opening Ceremony on Thursday May 3rd, 2007, Minister of Natural Resources McAllister Hanchell noted that the Turks & Caicos Islands recognises the importance of its fishing industry and the government remains committed to managing the resources for the benefit of this generation, and future generations.

“Since coming to office in 2003, my Government saw sustainable management and development of the fishing industry as an integral part of the development of these islands,” stated Hanchell.

He continued, “At first glance, the fishing industry may appear to contribute less to the economy when compared to the tourism or financial industry. This may be true in the more developed islands such as Providenciales and Grand Turk, but in islands such as South, Middle & North Caicos, the fishing industry continues to play a significant role.”

The Fisheries Minister said that it is estimated that over 60 percent of the population in those islands are earning a living either directly or indirectly from the fishing industry.

“In this regard, the sustainable management and further development of the fishing industry is therefore essential. With the assistance of the CRFM Secretariat, the government adopted a national policy and management strategy for the development and management of the Marine Resources of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” noted Hanchell.

He further stated that his government recently enacted a “zero tolerance policy” with regard to illegal fishing and undersize harvesting of marine products, such as lobster, banned the sale of lobster during the closed season, and improved their enforcement and research capabilities, to name a few.

The two-day meeting focused on, among other things, developing a framework for a regional agreement on management and further development of conch and lobster, the proposal for funding for a regional multi-year project aim for queen conch research and management and also looked at other initiatives in respect of the queen conch.