Bahamas-flagged reefer ships set to benefit from renewed WCPFC cooperation

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) is delighted to announce that it has been accorded the status of Cooperating Non-Member (CNM) by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC0) for the year 2025. The WCPFC is responsible for the management of high seas fishing activities and conservation efforts in the convention area.

This decision recognises The Bahamas’ continuing commitment to transparency, regulatory compliance and better control over fishing-related activities by the vessels in its fleet.

The BMA, in collaboration with the Bahamas Department of Marine Resources, ensures regulatory control, monitoring and licensing activities in establishing and maintaining the global transportation authorisation programmes for fisheries cargoes. As a result of achieving this status from the WCPFC,  Bahamian reefer carriers are permitted to carry cargoes which originated from within the WCPFC regulatory area, extending the range of commercial opportunities available to the Bahamian fleet.

Captain Dwain Hutchinson, Managing Director and CEO of The BMA, said: “We are determined to support the work of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations and so are delighted to have achieved CNM status once again. It is in the interests of the entire industry that fishing remains sustainable and we are keen to play our part to ensure the success of marine conservation efforts.”