Two Laboratories in the Caribbean Boost Regional Fishing Industry Exports with New Testing Equipment
13th March 2024
Two laboratories in the Caribbean, the Produce Chemist Laboratory in Grenada and the Central Investigation Laboratory (CIL) of Belize, are set to revolutionise the regional fishing industry by acquiring state-of-the-art testing equipment. This initiative will enhance the quality and safety of fish and fisheries products, propelling the region's fishing industry to new heights. The new equipment, ranging from Conductivity/Ion Metres to cutting-edge Microwave Digestion Systems, marks a significant investment in the region's fishing infrastructure. By bolstering testing capabilities, these Caribbean laboratories are poised to ensure compliance with international standards and regulations, strengthening consumer trust and opening doors to lucrative export markets.
This activity was an essential component of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures Project, which seeks to increase compliance by CARIFORUM countries with global SPS measures, standards, and procedures to improve international and regional market access. Funded by the European Union (EU), this project element aims to build the SPS capacity of the fisheries industry by upgrading testing laboratories. The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is the executing body, and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) is a major partner in implementing this SPS Action.
The fisheries industry is a significant economic driver in the Caribbean, contributing to GDP and providing employment for thousands of persons, particularly in coastal communities. CARICOM countries export a variety of seafood products, including fish, shrimp, lobster, and conch, to regional and international markets. Revenue generated from fisheries exports, domestic sales, and associated industries such as processing and transportation forms a large portion of the GDP of many Caribbean nations.
Regarding exports from CARICOM, the fisheries industry plays a vital role in enhancing trade balances and earning foreign exchange. The highest earning (US$) CARICOM exporters in 2022 were The Bahamas (96M), Guyana (93M) and Suriname (33M).
CARICOM exports to about 174 countries and regions worldwide, earning the most from the United States of America (USA), US$139M in 2021 and US$96M in 2022. The CARICOM markets from which other CARICOM counties earn the most are Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda. In 2022, CARICOM exported a total weight of 47,415 tonnes of fish.
CARICOM countries earned a total of US$54M from European Union markets in 2022. EU countries from which CARICOM earned the most in 2022 were France, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Greece, and Belgium.
Regional Export Challenges
Despite its significance, the fisheries sector in the Caribbean faces several export challenges. Chief among these are concerns related to product quality and safety standards. Inadequate testing infrastructure has hindered the region's ability to meet stringent international regulations, limiting market access and undermining competitiveness. Peter A. Murray, Advisor, Fisheries Management and Development, CRFM, outlines the key challenges, “Processors have highlighted the availability of raw materials and transportation (marine and air) as major challenges to their operations (including intra-regional access to markets). Airlift is particularly problematic among the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Member States, as is moving small volumes across the region. While there was an adequate supply of transportation for the movement of container loads, moving LCL (less than container loads) has been a real issue.”
“The use of smaller vessels to move LCLs between Caribbean states has been suggested. However, maintenance of food safety conditions, mindful that fish have certain peculiarities, would require special consideration. There also appears to be an information constraint, specifically inadequate information about market opportunities and intra-regional market demand. Declining production is a broader issue that requires resource management and intervention of the fisheries authorities, particularly if the root cause is land-based activities; this will require specifically crafted interventions, as management within the fishery only will not resolve the issues,” Murray added.
Spotlight: Produce Chemist Laboratory in Grenada
The benefits and impacts of this initiative are significant. Firstly, it strengthens the Caribbean's position as a reputable supplier of high-quality fish and fisheries products, promoting increased demand and consumer confidence. Moreover, ensuring the safety and authenticity of these products from the region safeguards public health and mitigates the risk of foodborne illnesses. One of the key advantages of this aspect of the project is its potential to boost exports from the Caribbean. With improved testing capabilities, fisheries in Belize, Grenada, and the rest of the region can now confidently meet the stringent import requirements of international markets. This not only augments revenue streams but also stimulates economic growth and job creation within the region.
Erwin Henry, Chief Analytical Chemist at Grenada’s Produce Chemist Laboratory, shared, “This new equipment was required to facilitate laboratory analysis, especially in sample preparation and field testing of water quality. The equipment will complement other equipment in use by the laboratory, and in the case of the microwave oven, it will speed up and make the digestion process more efficient. Using the oven will improve efficiency in terms of time and quality of production of the results. This means the results will be of a higher standard and with better accuracy.”
“Staff at the laboratory are now exposed to new technology, which has also reduced the time taken to complete analysis. Staff can also accomplish more tasks as a result of using less time than that required by traditional methods. The benefits have been numerous, including improved efficiencies overall, and less material is also needed to conduct analysis."
The microwave sample digestion system
Benefits & Impact: Central Investigation Laboratory (CIL) of Belize
Interview with Dr. Nathalie Gibson, Acting Technical Director, Food Safety, Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA)
How will strengthening the Central Investigation Laboratory (CIL) help increase fish exports and expand regional production?
In addition to providing data for the protection of public health, food safety monitoring programmes are also important in providing assurance to trading partners regarding the safety of imported food products. Robust monitoring programmes require well-staffed, well-equipped, competent laboratories. Strengthening the laboratory testing capacity for the fisheries sector improves the national capacity to demonstrate compliance with international standards and food safety requirements of trading partners. This directly translates to an increase in export opportunities, which stimulates greater investment and expansion of production.
What are the expected impacts and benefits of the laboratory strengthening activities regarding fish exports in the region?
The major benefit of laboratory strengthening for the fish export sector is the increased availability of tests for residues and contaminants in the country. Greater national testing capacity will reduce outsourcing of testing to labs outside the country and diminish the costs and inefficiencies related to the shipping of samples. Increased availability of this testing locally is expected to result in increased monitoring for contaminants - both regulatory and private which will provide increased assurance for public health to buyers and government regulators alike.
Economically, what does that value look like?
Testing of a single sample of fish for heavy metal testing overseas costs less than US$100 for a single metal, but shipping and courier costs result in a 100% cost increase per sample.
Caribbean markets are strategically addressing export challenges within the fishing industry through targeted investments in testing equipment and capacity-building initiatives. Prioritising food safety not only guarantees the well-being and health of Caribbean consumers but also secures the future of the regional fishing industry. This proactive approach further positions these markets as leaders in the global fish and fisheries products market.