BRUSSELS, CMC – Projects from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will be among 75 others discussed at the a steering committee meeting of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Fish II Programme here on Tuesday.

An ACP statement said that the ACP Fish II is entering the final year for implementing the last 75 projects from a total of 189 to complete all the programme planned assignment in support of fisheries management and trade in the six ACP regions.

It said that more than 100 projects already implemented “or under implementation were fielded in response to real and prioritized needs emanating from the partner beneficiaries at national and regional level.

“In general, national fisheries administrations, regional fisheries bodies and regional economic bodies have expressed satisfaction that the activities have been carried out successfully and have made a significant contribution to improving fisheries management in the regions.”

The programme operates under the guidance, supervision and control of a steering committee, which the ACP said “is one very important pillar of the demand-lead approach and the representation of regional bodies on the Committee is one way of facilitating and increasing beneficiary and stakeholder involvement in the programme”.

CARICOM and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) will be represented at the meeting by Milton Haughton who is also a member of the steering committee.

ACP FISH II aims to strengthen fisheries management in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries with the goal of alleviating poverty and improving food security in member states.

The Programme has a global programme budget of Euro 30 million (One Euro = US$1.35 cents) funded under the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) allocated to activities and projects across 78 ACP countries.