Fisheries sector of grave importance

ACCORDING to Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), Milton Haughton, the fisheries sector is highly important.

He highlighted the importance of the sector as a way to improve the health and quality of life of the citizens of the Caribbean.

Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional
Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), Milton Haughton.

Haughton said: “The fisheries and aquaculture sector makes an important contribution to the economic and social development of CARICOM and CRFM member states in terms of food supply and food and nutrition security, employment generation, foreign currency earnings and coastal development.”

Adamant, he asserted, “Fisheries is not just about catching, selling and employment. It is very much about food and nutrition security for the countries and people of the region. The sector is a vital source of protein and minerals in the diets of Caribbean people, particularly the poor and vulnerable members of society.”

In addition to playing its part in facilitating food security, he emphasised that there are health benefits of eating fish regularly and added that within the sector their are opportunities for employment.

He said, “Over 180 000 persons in the region gain meaningful employment in the fisheries sector and can therefore take care of themselves and their family from the income they make from fishing.” (KG)