The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Secretariat’s new Programme Manager – Climate Change & Blue Economy Development Policy, Planning, and Management, Ms. Sanya Compton, delivered opening remarks on behalf of the CRFM at the Blue Justice Conference 2025, on Tuesday, 2 December, in UN City, Copenhagen.

She addressed two key issues at the heart of the conference theme: “United in Action against Fisheries Crimes.” These are transnational organised crime in the fishing industry, including illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; as well as the need for strong partnerships to strengthen responsible, sustainable management of our fisheries and other ocean assets.

In her remarks, Ms. Compton flagged four (4) perils of IUU fishing:

1. It undermines the foundation of sustainable fisheries management;
2. It erodes confidence in legal frameworks;
3. It destabilizes regional markets; and
4. It threatens the long-term viability of target species.

She urged stakeholders to strengthen their resolve and partnerships, and reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding the marine resources that provide food security, livelihoods, resilience, and rich cultural value.

She underlined the vital importance of strong strategic partnerships for addressing the challenges of IUU fishing and fisheries-related crimes and to responsibly manage our fisheries, our oceans, and all aspects of our Blue Economy.

Mr. Virun Lutchman, Environmental Crime Lead, Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), Blue Justice Caribbean Hub, presented on data and digital technology in addressing fisheries crime.

Three CRFM Member States offered their country insights. Ms. Wynnona Joseph, Senior Fisheries Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, presented for the Commonwealth of Dominica; H.E. Noersalim Mike Mohamed Faizel, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, presented via digital recording for Suriname; and H.E. Floyd O’Brian Green, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, delivered a live digital presentation for Jamaica.

Jamaica also participated in a discussion on regional cooperation. H.E. Green, and Dr. Gavin Bellamy, Chief Executive Officer of the National Fisheries Authority, Jamaica, shared their experiences with hosting and administrating the Blue Justice Caribbean Hub - the first of its kind under the Blue Justice Initiative.

Prior to traveling to Copenhagen, Ms. Compton had attended a Global Affairs Canada (GAC) Results-Based Management (RBM) Training–a three-day event held in Jamaica–with CRFM's Sherron Barker, Regional Project Coordinator of the Global Affairs Canada/CRFM STAR-Fish Project. The training provided insights into GACs RBM concepts and tools, allowing participants to explore RBM methodology and practice to improve project management, decision-making and reporting. The training also addressed the conceptualization of and process for the development of logic models and theory of change.

Ms. Compton was appointed in September 2025 to take up a newly created post within the CRFM Secretariat–Programme Manager – Climate Change & Blue Economy Development Policy, Planning, and Management–in line with the CRFM’s strategic direction for the period 2022-2030.

Some specific elements covered under her portfolio are:

Policy and Programme Development and Implementation: Lead the planning and development of policies, implementation and monitoring of programs and projects addressing climate change impacts, adaptation and mitigation, and blue economy development focused on the marine living resources.

Blue Economic Development: Design and implement blue economy programs that enhance sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism, and ocean-based livelihoods; identify investment opportunities and partnerships for the blue economy within the Caribbean region; promote gender-inclusive and socially equitable approaches to blue economic development.

Capacity-Building and Stakeholder Engagement: Support institutional and analytical capacity building on policy analysis, formulation, and implementation for sustainable management of fisheries, climate change adaptation, blue economic and aquaculture development.

Ms. Compton–who holds over 15 years of experience in the sector and a Master of Science Degree in Marine Science from Savannah State University in Georgia, USA–has been working with the CRFM Secretariat since May 2023. She started out providing consultancy services to support the portfolio for Fisheries Management and Development. After completing that consultancy, she was hired as Research Graduate, Research and Resource Assessment and retained that role until her recent Programme Manager appointment.

Event photos courtesy Peter A. Murray, CRFM Advisor, Fisheries Management and Development.