The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Sub-Regional Coordinator is calling on governments across the region to increase resilience in their respective fisheries sector due to the advancing threat that global warming poses to the industry.
Sub-Regional Coordinator, Dr. Renata Clarke, made the plea while addressing a four-day virtual scientific conference organised by the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) which commenced on Monday, August 28.
Dr. Clarke said climate change could precipitate an annual fish value loss of between US$1.2 to $2.7 billion across Latin America and the Caribbean.
She also addressed the issue of marine biotoxins, stating that while it is not one of the main issues presently, it continues to pose a threat to marine life and the fisheries industry in the region.
Meanwhile, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett, warned the region’s fisheries sector to experience numerous obstacles and setbacks.
The conference will feature an estimated 130 authors and speakers from the Caribbean and internationally, who will present on nine thematic areas of high interest to the fisheries and aquaculture sector.