(ZIZ News) Members of the fisheries sector and related departments in St. Kitts and Nevis have been participating in a three-day consultation to shape laws which will guide the sector forward.

On Tuesday, the Department of Marine Resources and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) hosted the first stakeholder consultation on fisheries legislation in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Alistair Edwards said there is need to ensure that the local fisheries sector is sustainable and follows international standards.

“The Government of St. Kitts-Nevis recognizes the need of a comprehensive system that ensures sustainable management of our maritime resources that not only promotes but ensures compliance at the international level and I dare say even at the local level,” Edwards said.

He said one of the expected outcomes is the creation of a national action plan to stamp out illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing (IUU).

“At this stage, we are charged with fast tracking the development of that national action plan which includes the legal framework, monitoring and control, surveillance, and most importantly….most importantly reporting,” he said.

FAO officials are taking part as consulting aids regarding the Federation’s legal framework for fisheries to improve operations, management and other related activities.