Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 31 July 2026 (CRFM)— The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), in collaboration with the Turks and Caicos Islands Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources Management (DFMRM), is supporting a regional technical mission this week to strengthen the sustainable management of the Caribbean's valuable queen conch fishery.

The mission brings together fisheries scientists and technical experts from the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Jamaica National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and the United Kingdom to advance stock assessment methods, review fisheries data, conduct field activities, and engage stakeholders in developing science-based management measures.

The initiative supports the Turks and Caicos Islands Government's commitment to sustainable fisheries and resilient coastal livelihoods by strengthening the scientific foundation for the long-term management of one of the country's most economically and culturally important marine resources. It also reinforces regional cooperation and knowledge exchange among Caribbean fisheries institutions.

Kathy Lockhart, the Assistant Director of the DFMRM, expressed appreciation for the collaboration and highlighted the valuable contribution of Dr. Paul Medley who had completed the queen conch stock assessment and developed options for management including Harvest Control Rules. She is also looking forward to continued collaboration with the Jamaica NFA and the completion of a queen conch underwater survey in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Through initiatives such as this, the CRFM continues to work with its Member States and partners to promote sustainable fisheries, healthy marine ecosystems and prosperous coastal communities across the Caribbean.