The 2017 anchoveta season in Peru saw low catch rates, achieving only 46% of the annual quota due to high numbers of juvenile fish. Despite this, industry leaders like Elena Conterno and Manuel Salazar express confidence in the sustainability of the fishery, citing improved management practices and cooperation with organizations like IMARPE and the World Bank. The Ministry of Production has implemented measures to protect juvenile fish, and the industry is optimistic about future yields. Pesquera Diamante and other companies are adjusting their strategies to cope with the reduced catch, while the National Fisheries Society continues to work on sustainability initiatives.

The seafood industry faces challenges in promoting seafood consumption due to public fears of mercury contamination, despite health authorities in the U.S. and E.U. recommending increased seafood intake. The National Fisheries Institute argues that mercury levels in fish are not a significant concern, with FDA limits providing a substantial safety margin. Miscommunication has led to reduced seafood consumption, particularly among pregnant women, potentially harming public health. Experts call for improved communication strategies to ensure public understanding of the benefits and risks of seafood consumption.

Conservation International (CI) is actively engaged in marine and fisheries habitat conservation across the Caribbean and Latin America, focusing on mangrove restoration and sustainable fisheries. Dr. Marco Antonio Quesada Alpízar, director of CI's Costa Rica program, highlights the organization's science-based interventions and collaborations with local communities to address threats like habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change. CI's efforts include establishing marine protected areas and using technology to combat illegal fishing. The organization emphasizes the integration of scientific and local knowledge to enhance conservation outcomes and support coastal communities' livelihoods.

Volcanic mudslides from Martinique's dormant Mount Pelée have halted the fishing industry in the town of Prêcheur. Mayor Marcelin Nadeau and the municipal council are urging the government to declare the town a natural disaster site to access emergency aid. Heavy rains triggered the mudslides, suffocating fish and causing significant economic impact. While FranceInfo reported a lack of real assistance from authorities, Caribbean News Now noted that such lahars are recurring events and not indicative of an eruption.

Six Caribbean countries and the French territories of Martinique and Guadeloupe are collaborating on a Global Environment Facility-funded project to regulate the flying fish fishery. The project, named the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF), is overseen by the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and aims to manage and conserve the flying fish, which is significant both culturally and economically. The initiative includes data collection and sharing guidelines, vessel information gathering, and new licensing arrangements, and is part of the larger Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems (CLME+) Project.

Countries are enhancing their naval capabilities to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Ecuador's navy and the Galapagos National Park Service have been collaborating on patrols and data sharing to monitor illegal fishing. The Ecuadorian Navy has also conducted naval exercises in response to illegal fishing by Chinese vessels. Uruguay plans to acquire new offshore patrol vessels to strengthen its maritime security. The US Congress has requested the Navy's assistance in fighting illegal fishing as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. There are concerns about potential violent confrontations between illegal fishing fleets and security forces due to increasing demand for maritime resources.

The article discusses how Africa is leveraging technology developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance agricultural practices, focusing on indigenous crops to improve food self-sufficiency. Dr. Jean-Baka Entfellner from the International Livestock Research Institute emphasizes the potential of local crop varieties in addressing food insecurity, which affects nearly 30% of the global population, with Africa being disproportionately impacted. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on imported foods and promote sustainable agriculture across the continent.

Global Fishing Watch, a transparency platform founded by Google, Oceana, and Skytruth, has signed an agreement with the Costa Rican government to map and analyze fishing activities in the country's Exclusive Economic Zone. The collaboration aims to enhance the protection of fishery resources and marine protected areas using advanced technology. The platform's data, available for free, supports research and helps combat illegal fishing. The agreement is seen as a significant step forward in maritime surveillance and sustainability efforts.

Researchers have released a book titled 'Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines: Global Implementation,' which reviews the progress and challenges in implementing human rights-based principles for small-scale fisheries. Edited by Svein Jentoft and associated with the Too Big To Ignore network, the book includes essays and case studies from 34 countries. It emphasizes the need for fisheries to remain informal and accessible to the poor, highlighting the adverse effects of neoliberal policies. The SSF guidelines have been endorsed by several Caribbean organizations and governments, with ongoing efforts required for their implementation.

Caribbean fishers are preparing for another significant influx of sargassum, a type of seaweed that has severely affected fisheries and tourism in the region in recent years. The recurring issue poses a substantial threat to the local economy and marine environment.