The Government of the British Virgin Islands, in partnership with the UK Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), has received funding from the Darwin Initiative to build capacity for sustainable fisheries management in the BVI:

This three-year project will review and consolidate existing evidence, data and maps for the marine area, and produce a centralised fisheries database and fisheries evidence report to improve the capture and display of fisheries data and support future licensing and management decisions. It will also strengthen fisherfolk capacity and engagement and facilitate the development of a formalised network of fisherfolk to enable a collective voice and greater participation in decision-making. 

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Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Virgin Islands, Dr Natalio Wheatley said “This project will assist us to better manage our fisheries resources, which are an important part of the Virgin Islands culture and economy. We are happy for this partnership with CEFAS and CANARI and the technical expertise these agencies bring to our shores. An important part of this project is the work that will take place with fishers to assist them in organising themselves and understanding their role in sustainable fisheries. We are thankful for the opportunity afforded us through the UK Government’s Darwin Initiative, and look forward to the implementation of the project over the next three years” .

Read more about the BVI fisheries project and its partners at CANARI’s website.

[Image: Adam Reeder]