By S.Browne. Updated 4:55 p.m., Monday, March 16, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The Minister of Fisheries, Marine and Land Conservation and Climate Resilience, Conroy Huggins, highlighted the fisheries management challenges faced by small island states like Saint Vincent and the Grenadines during a global forum hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization in Reykjavik, Iceland last month.
Minister Huggins, along with Senior Fisheries Officer Kris Isaacs, attended the Second Session of the Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management held from February 23 to 27, 2026 . The forum brought together representatives from countries, regional and international organisations, stakeholder groups, and non-governmental organisations to discuss fisheries management issues at the global level.
During the meeting, the fisheries minister addressed matters related to managing fishing fleet capacity, emphasising the importance of balancing fishing effort with the productive capacity of fish stocks to ensure the sustainable use of marine resources.
He noted that effective management of fishing fleets is vital to protecting the long-term livelihoods of stakeholders within the fishing industry and the coastal communities that depend on the sector.
Minister Huggins also highlighted the particular vulnerabilities faced by small island developing states such as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, especially in the wake of recent natural disasters including the 2021 volcanic eruption and the passage of Hurricane Beryl in 2024.
Despite these challenges, he said Vincentians have demonstrated resilience and pointed to the recent establishment of the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine and Land Conservation and Climate Resilience as part of the Government’s commitment to strengthening the sector.
According to the fisheries minister, the government intends to leverage the fisheries sector not only to contribute to economic growth but also to improve the livelihoods of citizens, particularly those in coastal communities.
Minister Huggins also addressed the social dimensions of fisheries management, noting that fisheries extend beyond ecological and economic systems and play an important role in the culture and daily lives of Vincentians.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to integrating social science with ecological management as part of efforts to strengthen resilience within the fisheries sector and align sustainable fisheries governance with the needs and capacities of Vincentian fisherfolk.
The Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management serves as a global platform for collaboration among governments and stakeholders on issues related to fisheries governance and sustainability.
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This information was sourced from a press release sent to us by the Agency for Public Information.
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