The “Strategies, technologies, and social solutions to manage bycatch in tropical Large Marine Ecosystem Fisheries (REBYC-III CLME+),” project in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will conduct a training for Abandoned, Lost, and otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) data collectors.

The virtual training will be held on 19 March 2025, and will build the capacity of data collectors to assist in the establishment of a baseline on the production of ALDFG in the REBYC-III CLME+ project countries namely Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

This initiative is crucial to addressing data and knowledge gaps related to ALDFG, contributing to responsible fishing practices, and mitigating the environmental impacts of abandoned fishing gear.

It is expected that via this initiative, the REBYC-III CLME+ project, through its designated National Focal Points (NFPs) will:

• Conduct FAO ALDFG surveys in Barbados, Guyana and Suriname, utilising the FAO methodology and standardised questionnaires;
• Facilitate data sharing and validation with FAO to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the collected information;
• Contribute to the publication and dissemination of survey results while duly acknowledging FAO’s role and support;
• Collaborate on capacity-building activities, including training of national executing partners to ensure effective implementation of the surveys; and
• Support the FAO Global ALDFG Survey by integrating validated survey data into the FAO database through the online portal.

This collaboration will result in the achievement of both the REBYC-III CLME+ project’s and FAO’s mutual objectives of reducing ALDFG and promoting sustainable fisheries management in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems.

The US$5.3 million REBYC-III project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund, implemented by the FAO and executed by the University of the West Indies (UWI), Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA).