CRFM Secretariat appoints two regional experts for Canada-funded STAR-Fish Project

The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) is actively progressing with the rollout of the Canada-funded STAR-Fish Initiative: “Sustainable Technologies for Adaptation and Resilience in Fisheries.”

CRFM reported that this USD 4 million project aims to promote a shift towards clean energy within Caribbean fisheries and aquaculture sectors while enhancing resilience. It seeks to address the necessity of boosting competitiveness and unlocking key economic opportunities.

This month, the CRFM Secretariat shared via press release, it appointed two highly qualified professionals to support the project: Mr. Sherrón Barker as Regional Project Coordinator, and Mrs. Daintyann Barrett-Smith as Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist.

“The STAR-Fish Project represents an important opportunity to drive innovation and sustainability in Caribbean fisheries. I am honoured to support our partners in delivering real progress on climate resilience, gender equity, and clean energy transition in this critical sector for our region’s economies and communities,” said Mr. Barker.

Mr. Barker joined the CRFM Secretariat in Belize City in February 2025, initially serving as the Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer for another regional initiative—the GEF/FAO/CRFM BE-CLME+ Project titled, “Promoting National Blue Economy Priorities Through Marine Spatial Planning in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem Plus.” Prior to this, he worked as Project Manager for the Sustainable Seabed Knowledge Initiative at the International Seabed Authority in Jamaica from 2023 to 2024.

According to the CRFM, in his new capacity as the STAR-Fish Regional Project Coordinator, Mr. Barker will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating project implementation. His duties include planning, executing, and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality project results.

Mrs. Barrett-Smith’s role complements his work by focusing on environmental and social risk assessments, recommending mitigation measures, and ensuring compliance with relevant safeguard policies and standards. She will also provide technical assistance during project activities and lead the development of an environmental and social screening checklist. Additionally, she will identify necessary corrective actions and mitigation strategies. Notably, Mrs. Barrett-Smith has also been engaged to fill the position of Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer for the BE-CLME+ Project, succeeding Mr. Barker.

In 2024, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) approved the four-year STAR-Fish project, developed by the CRFM to enhance climate resilience in the Caribbean. The Canadian government has contributed CAD 4 million through GAC, with the CRFM committing CAD 324,000 in counterpart funding. While the project is primarily targeted at countries eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA)—including Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname—the CRFM Secretariat is dedicated to maximizing the benefits for other Member States across the region.

The fisheries sector relies heavily on energy throughout its value chain, especially for activities like fish processing—cooling, cleaning, drying, and freezing. The STAR-Fish Initiative aims to demonstrate that adopting renewable energy technologies can significantly reduce energy costs. Ultimately, the project aims to accelerate the transition to clean energy in Caribbean fisheries and aquaculture through a gender-responsive approach, supporting the certification of low carbon or carbon-neutral fisheries, and fostering technical collaboration and knowledge sharing.

This project is a key component of the CRFM’s Strategic Plan for 2022-2030, specifically aligned with Strategic Goal 4, which envisions “Increased use of renewable energy and energy-efficient harvesting, processing, and cold storage systems, and reduction of the region’s reliance on fossil fuels in fisheries and aquaculture.”