The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) reports that global fishery and aquaculture production in 2022 amounted to 223.2 million tons, 4.4% more than in 2020. Specifically, production was 185.4 million tons of aquatic animals and 37.8 million tons of algae.
The PROCARIBE+ project helps countries in the Wider Caribbean strengthen sustainable fishing practices through the implementation of traceability systems for the main fishery and aquaculture products. The project aims to achieve a minimum of 30% traceability for spiny lobster, 39% for queen conch, and 31% for shrimp exports from the Wider Caribbean by the end of the project, which would represent a total of approximately 55,900 tons per year.
In addition, it aims to create the conditions to replicate and expand these traceability systems throughout the region of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC), with the goal of reaching a total traceable export volume of 94,800 tons per year by 2030, which would represent approximately 52% of all regional exports of spiny lobster, queen conch, and shrimp in the region.
Global demand for seafood traceability is increasing due to:
- Higher consumer awareness
- Environmental concerns
- Regulatory requirements such as the European Union Regulation
With traceability, we help ensure the sustainability and legality of catches.
Within the framework of the PROCARIBE+ Project, the Organization of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector of the Central American Isthmus (OSPESCA) and the International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA) held the First Virtual Workshop on Fisheries and Aquaculture Traceability, a technical exchange forum to present the progress made to date in the countries of the region and seek synergies to advance the project's work plan.
During the event, the aquaculture and fisheries traceability system was presented through the Trazar-Agro platform, highlighting its key role in strengthening the implementation of traceability in the project's beneficiary countries. Trazar-Agro was developed as a result of the “OSPECSA Fisheries Product Traceability Standard,” a regional instrument that seeks to improve the monitoring, health control, and safety of fisheries and aquaculture products, facilitating compliance with requirements and access to local and international markets. This standard applies throughout the entire supply chain, from capture or cultivation to the final consumer, allowing the product's history to be reconstructed and its quality and safety to be guaranteed.
The traceability system is being implemented through the Trazar-Agro electronic application and allows for the recording and tracking of complete information on the movement of fishery resources and products. This includes data on the fishing or farming area, the method of capture, the treatments applied, transport, storage, and distribution.
"This workshop is not an isolated event; it is a crucial milestone and the realization of our co-executing agreement and shared vision under Component 3* of the PROCARIBE+ project. This component seeks to strengthen the capacity of our countries to implement traceability systems that are essential for the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture in the wider Caribbean. Today, we will have the opportunity to share valuable experiences, learn about the progress made by OIRSA and OSPESCA member countries with their Trazar-Agro system, and learn from success stories such as Honduras' experience in aquaculture and fisheries traceability," said Sonia Gautreau, technical officer of the project, in her opening remarks.
“Having robust traceability systems is synonymous with competitiveness and trust,” she added.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. José Infante, Regional Director of SICA/OSPESCA, and Ever Hernández, Regional Traceability Coordinator for OIRSA, representing OIRSA Executive Director Raúl Rodas.
*Catalyze actions from all sectors of society for the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of marine and coastal natural capital (“blue economies”)..
