Top Caribbean fisheries scientists gathered earlier this month to assess the status of fish stock in the region

​Top fisheries scientists from across the Caribbean gathered earlier this month to assess the state of fisheries in the region, with a particular focus on fish stock status. The discussions were part of the 8th session of the Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC), which was held in Merida, Mexico on 3-4 November 2017.
 
During the two-day event, the scientists reviewed the main fish stocks in the region, and provided scientific advice to WECAFC and its working groups. Although uncertainty of stock status of different species remains relatively high due to the lack of formal assessments for most of the region, there has been some improvement in coverage of species/species groups assessed, and also on the status of resources, in comparison to the last assessment in 2013. Still, 54% of species or species groups were considered overfished or over-to-fully fished.
 
The experts also gave specific attention to a review of a range of fisheries management recommendations and resolutions, that have been prepared by working groups of WECAFC and partner agencies.