Supplementary information tables

Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW), Northern Atlantic Right Whales (NARW) and St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga (SLEB) populations continue to be exposed to human activity threatening their survival and recovery. An integrated federal whales program, based on a robust evidence-base for decision making is critical to ensure protection measures are implemented. Key objectives identified within the Species at Risk (SARA) Recovery Strategies for SRKW, NARW and SLEB include: the reduction of mortality, injury and disturbance resulting from vessel strikes, underwater noise, fishing gear interactions (entanglement and entrapment), threats to food sources and exposure to contaminants. Through a combination of outcomes, the Whales Initiative will support the SARA recovery goals for these endangered whale species. Specifically, this initiative will: help to ensure the long-term viability of resident killer whale populations by achieving and maintaining demographic conditions that preserve their reproductive potential, genetic variation, and cultural continuity; achieve an increasing trend in population abundance over three generations of NARW; and restore the St. Lawrence Estuary beluga population to a level where its survival is no longer threatened by natural and anthropogenic disturbances. The activities outlined in this horizontal initiative are categorized under two themes - Research and Monitoring; and Management, and will be delivered through a coordinated effort across Departments and Sectors.

In addition to implementing actions identified in Species at Risk Recovery Strategies and Action Plans, the Whales Initiative addresses Government of Canada priorities as outlined in: Mandate Letter’s from the Prime Minister to the Ministers of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment and Climate Change, and Transportation Canada; as well as the 2017-18 Departmental Plans for Fisheries and Oceans, Environment and Climate Change, and Transport Canada.

The long-term objective of the Initiative is the improved health of the SRKW, NARW and SLEB populations. In the near term, the Initiative will meet the Government’s TMX commitment, increase prey availability for Killer Whales through fisheries management measures (for example, Chinook), expand the evidence-base for decision making, reduce the number of deaths of NARW from vessel collisions and fishing gear entanglement, expand the range and efficiency of entanglement response measures, and launch work to reduce contaminant threats to SRKW and SLEB; however, it will not be sufficient to meet the requirements under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Delivery will occur through existing programs modified as per new legislative and regulatory measures recommended in the Initiative.

Building Indigenous partnerships is an important part of the successful delivery of the Whales Initiative and aligns specifically with those Truth and Reconciliation Commission - Calls to Action which speak to economic development and employment/training opportunities. For example, particular focus will be placed on building partnerships with, and developing capacity within, Indigenous communities in order to respond to marine mammals in distress. Success in advancing the federal government's commitment towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples will need to be assessed on a whole-of-government basis.

The implementation of the Whales Initiative requires a coordinated approach, given that responsibilities for specific areas and measures fall within the purview of multiple federal departments as well as non-governmental stakeholders. To ensure a whole-of-government approach, and consistent and complementary application with other related initiatives, in particular the Oceans Action Plan and Species at Risk Recovery Strategies for SRKW, NARW and SLEB, an interdepartmental Assistant Deputy Minister-level oversight committee has been created with Assistant Deputy Ministers (ADMs) from the lead Department’s responsible for the recovery of these species: DFO, TC and ECCC. The committee also provides representation from other relevant Departments as necessary, for example Department representation from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. This ADM Committee has been created to ensure a whole-of-government approach in implementing the Plan, including maintaining strong oversight, providing strategic direction, and facilitating coordination amongst departments and alignment with other federal priorities, such as reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and energy development. It will also systematically review the implementation dashboard developed for measuring, monitoring and assessing the progress of specific initiatives; including evaluation(s) of the Plan and/or specific initiatives. While this ADM Committee will lead oversight of the delivery of the Whales Initiative, it will report to and take guidance from the existing OPP Deputy Ministers Committee, to ensure whole of government coordination and alignment with government priorities at the most senior level.

The interdepartmental ADM Committee will also be responsible for horizontal reporting on Plan progress and results to Ministers and Canadians, and linking initiatives and progress to related Government-wide initiatives, including the Oceans Action Plan and Species at Risk Recovery Strategies for SRKW, NARW and SLEB. In addition to Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, reporting on achievements of the Plan will be shared with the public at key intervals, highlighting results and benefits for Canadians.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada:

Implemented area-based fishing closures since 2018 in support of SRKW prey availability; amendment of the Marine Mammal Regulations which define disturbance and \ include a minimum vessel approach distance for all cetaceans and specifically killer whales; and encouraging a number of voluntary measures for whales and killer whales specifically. Implemented dynamic fishing closures since 2018 in support of NARW, these measures included:

• continuation of the Dynamic Closure Protocol for non-tended fixed gear fisheries, including crab and lobster, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Roseway Basin Critical Habitat from the start of the snow crab fishery in CFA 12 – November 15, 2020
• introduction of the Season Long Closure Protocol to replace static closures. Season long closures (adaptive static closures) are triggered when a NARW is detected in an area already closed under the dynamic closure protocol within the Gulf of St Lawrence. Season long closures go until end of season, which is November 15, 2020
• application of the Dynamic Closure Protocol in the Bay of Fundy and Roseway Basin Critical Habitat area
• application of Shallow Water Protocol for whales detected in waters shallower than 20 fathoms
• addition of acoustic underwater detection technology to be used in the suite of tools to confirm NARW presence and to support management decisions (implement fishery closures)
• introduction of mandatory reporting of lost fishing gear
• introduction of a mandatory gear marking colour scheme for all non-tended fixed gear fisheries, including lobster and crab in all of Eastern Canada
• announcement of the mandatory application of weak rope or weak breaking points in fishing gear by the end of 2022 to reduce entanglement injury and mortalities

Environment and Climate Change Canada:

• continued to undertake monitoring programs of contaminants in air, freshwater, sediment from disposal at sea sites, and landfill leachate to improve our understanding of the sources and possible impacts to whales and their prey
• identified high-risk enforcement targets for contaminants of concern; working toward publishing amendments to regulations to strengthen controls for seven substances or groups of substances

Transport Canada:

Implemented new and revised vessel traffic management measures to assist in the protection and recovery of NARW on April 28, 2020 and SRKW on June 1, 2020. These measures included:

• interim sanctuary zones at Pender Island, Saturna Island and off Swiftsure Bank, limiting vessel traffic
• continuation of a vessel approach distance of 400 metres from killer whales in southern BC coastal waters
• all recreation and other non-commercial vessels were requested to reduce their speed to below 7 knots when within 1,000 metres of a killer whale
• a restricted area in the Shediac Valley, requiring vessels to avoid the area or reduce speed to 8 knots if exempted to transit the area
• a trial voluntary speed limit of 10 knots in Cabot Strait in the spring and fall
• incorporation of two new detection platforms (underwater acoustic glider and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System [RPAS] or drone) to monitor dynamic shipping zones for NARW presence

In May 2018, the Ministers of Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, as competent ministers under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) determined following completion of an Imminent Threat Assessment (ITA), that the Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) population is facing imminent threat to their survival and recovery. A recommendation was made to the Governor in Council (GiC) to enact an emergency order for their protection. In consideration of ongoing threat mitigation and additional measures to be implemented, the GiC declined the making of the emergency order.

This initiative seeks to implement additional measures to protect the SRKW from two of the three anthropogenic impacts that threaten their survival and recovery, namely prey availability, and physical and acoustic disturbance. Measures to address threats associated with the third threat of contaminants was provided through the Oceans Protection Program (OPP) and the Whales Initiative (WI). The outcome of this proposal, as an extension of the WI whose shared outcome is to “address human-induced threats for SRKW, NARW and SLEB in support of the implementation of SARA Recovery Strategies and Action Plans”, aims to reduce threats impacting the SRKW population in order to allow the population to achieve stability and growth, and to ultimately increase their chances for survival and recovery.

Addressing the threats facing SRKW requires actions by the Government of Canada across several Departments and multiple partners. The threats do not impact the population in isolation, rather they are cumulative and chronic and action on all fronts is needed simultaneously. Threats associated with prey availability requires action to enable SRKW to have access to their preferred prey, Chinook Salmon. Managing fisheries such that there is enough of this resource is available for the whales and improving environmental conditions so that they can forage effectively (meaning they are protected from physical and acoustic disturbance that can interfere with successful feeding). Since they hunt and communicate using echolocation, they require an environment where underwater noise (for example, from shipping, whale watching, fishing activity, etc.) is not impeding these activities. Additionally, to ensure their health and reproductive success they need an environment and food source that is free of environmental contaminants.

Accordingly, the actions proposed to be undertaken through this initiative will build on existing activities under the Whales Initiative aimed at protecting endangered whales, including SRKW. The incremental activities are designed to more rapidly and effectively address the imminent threats to the SRKW related to prey availability and disturbance and will take an adaptive management approach to those threats in order to halt population decline and support population growth. Existing resources and measures are in place regarding environmental contaminants.

To ensure a whole-of-government approach, and consistent and complementary application with other related initiatives for SRKW and other endangered whales, in particular the Oceans Action Plan and consistent with Species at Risk Recovery Strategies, an interdepartmental Assistant Deputy Minister-level oversight committee has been created with Assistant Deputy Ministers (ADMs) from the lead Department’s responsible for the recovery of these species: DFO, TC, PCA and ECCC. In addition, the Assistant Secretary, Economic Sector, Treasury Board Secretariat, will become an ex-officio member of the ADM-level oversight committee. The committee also provides representation from other relevant Departments as necessary for example, Department representation from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs. This ADM Committee will maintain strong oversight, provide strategic direction, and facilitate coordination amongst departments and alignment with other federal priorities, such as reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and energy development. It will also systematically review the implementation dashboard developed for measuring, monitoring and assessing the progress of specific initiatives. This ADM Committee will lead oversight of the delivery of the Whales Initiative including the incremental activities in this proposal. It will report to and take guidance from the existing OPP Deputy Ministers Committee to ensure whole of government coordination and alignment with government priorities at the most senior level.

The interdepartmental ADM Committee will also be responsible for horizontal reporting on plan progress and results to Ministers and Canadians and linking initiatives and progress to related Government-wide initiatives. In addition to Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, reporting on achievements of the Plan will be shared with the public at key intervals, highlighting results and benefits for Canadians.

Since 2018, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has implemented enhanced management measures that abate the key threats of reduced prey availability and physical and acoustic disturbance (specifically leading on fishing closures and promoting voluntary measures). Management measures are reviewed and adapted annually based on consultation with Indigenous groups and stakeholders and lessons learned or new information. New for 2021, a closure protocol was piloted where salmon closures in the Gulf Islands were initiated based on SRKW presence to support an in-season adaptive approach. In 2020, the Accountability Framework was published to assess how measures were supporting the population's recovery over time, and a more formalized Multi-Nation Tier II process between Indigenous groups and the Government of Canada was advanced to support Indigenous participation in the management measure process.

Through annual monitoring of the SRKW population (July 1 and December 31), the Center for Whale Research is able to track changes in population size which has fluctuated considerably over the last four decades. The effects of the recovery effort for a long-lived species like SRKW are not likely to be immediately evident. Given their low reproductive rate and cultural traditions that influence their behaviour, recovery can be expected to take multiple generations. That said, SRKW body condition is a metric that may be more likely to provide insight into recovery efforts on a shorter time frame. As of February 2021, the population of SRKW had reached 75.

For the 2020 season, Transport Canada implemented a suite of management measures, under the Canada Shipping Act’s Interim Order, to assist in the protection and recovery of SRKW, including:

• mandatory Interim Sanctuary Zones at Pender Island, Saturna Island and at Swiftsure Bank (June 1 to November 30, 2020) prohibiting vessel traffic (some exemptions apply)
• continuation of a mandatory 400 metres approach distance (year-round) from all killer whales in SRKW critical habitat and BC coastal waters east of Vancouver Island and south of Campbell River (Cape Mudge) and Malaspina (Sarah Point)
• voluntary measures which included encouraging boaters to reduce their speed to less than 7 knots when within 1,000 metres of a killer whale; to turn off echo sounders and fish finders, when safe to do so; and to place engines in neutral idle if inadvertently within the approach distance to a killer whale
• commercial whale watching, and ecotourism companies were able to apply for a special authorization to operate a vessel between 200 and 400 metres to watch non-SRKW. This authorization included a commitment to not offer, plan or promote excursions based on viewing SRKW

In light of the global pandemic, Parks Canada reached close to 40,000 personal and non-personal contacts through virtual education programs. This included: Southern Resident Killer Whale compliance promotion videos targeted to mariners and fishers; and the development and distribution of a new Southern Resident Killer Whale Xplorer booklet (the first ever Parks Canada Xplorer Booklet focused on a Species at Risk). These products and efforts allowed Parks Canada to reach a diverse audience and inspire people to help protect and recover Southern Resident Killer Whales.

Environment and Climate Change Canada's plan to publish proposed regulations to strengthen controls for seven substances or groups of substances is moving forward on schedule.

The horizontal initiative is a suite of concrete internationally focused activities and commitments that will allow Canada to demonstrate international leadership on oceans, in particular to support the G7 Charlevoix Blueprint for Oceans, Seas and Resilient Coastal Communities. Through the initiatives, Canada will take actions to address the key stressors and risks facing the oceans. This will be done through effective and innovative solutions, collaborative partnerships with the private sector, international organizations, and civil society to identify and assess policy gaps, needs and best practices, and leadership and empowerment of women and youth as agents of change. Oceans play a critical role in regulating the global climate system and are integral to the health and well-being of millions of people, however the oceans, and the communities that depend on them, face significant stressors that threaten their well-being. For example, forty percent of the world’s population live in coastal areas and approximately 10 million people experience coastal flooding due to storm surges and cyclones each year. It is expected that up to 50 million people may be at risk by 2080. Further, the World Bank estimates the loss in annual consumption from the impact of natural disasters at $520 billion, which forces 26 million people into poverty each year. Greater attention and investment in building the resilience of vulnerable coasts and communities is a vital part of ocean health and in meeting the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.

The initiative responds to certain ongoing challenges affecting the health of the world’s oceans and seas and aligns with the commitments of G7 Leaders, outlined in the Charlevoix Blueprint, for collaborative and collective action to address challenges to healthy oceans, seas and resilient communities. As set out in the Charlevoix G7 Summit Communique and Charlevoix Blueprint, ocean warming, acidification and sea-level rise, together with extreme weather events, are increasing the vulnerability of ocean ecosystems and threatening many global communities, while simultaneously reducing their resiliency. Other identified challenges include illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and overexploitation of fish stocks which threaten entire species and food security, ocean and ecosystem health, and marine pollution, including from plastic litter, which is compounding the threats facing already degraded marine ecosystems. Combined, these factors are negatively impact the overall health and sustainability of oceans and ecosystems, jeopardizing food security, and endangering for low-lying coastal states and Arctic communities. Small Island Developing States (SIDS), are among the most vulnerable to the challenges facing the world’s oceans due to their reliance on them for survival.

Through collaboration and collective action to address challenges to healthy oceans, seas and resilient communities, the initiative activities will seek to support a healthy ocean which sustainably delivers a range of benefits to people now and in the future. GAC will deliver activities internationally to support climate risk insurance, renewable energy in SIDS, and national adaptation plans for climate change. DFO will deliver activities to support healthy and productive oceans in the Arctic and global ocean ecosystems, in particular in support of developing countries. DFO and GAC will work together to deliver activities to support sustainable fisheries in developing countries. GAC and ECCC will co-deliver activities aimed at tackling marine litter by working with key international partners in order to develop and implement on-the-ground solutions in developing countries, identify and assess policy gaps, needs and best practices, and advance women’s economic empowerment.

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and is a key priority for the Government of Canada and a guiding principle of the G7 Charlevoix Blueprint for Oceans, Seas and Resilient Coastal Communities. This Horizontal Initiative will purposefully apply Canada’s Gender-based Analysis framework and Feminist International Assistance Policy to ensure that the projects and programs funded involve activities that empower women and girls to be equal agents of change in ameliorating the health of the world’s oceans and seas. The degree to which this is ultimately achieved will be evaluated.

• fisheries and aquatic ecosystems
• taking action on clean growth and climate change, as well as preventing and managing pollution
• development, peace and security through multilateral international assistance

In order to successfully deliver the initiatives outlined in this submission, the departments commit to working with other national governments, the private sector, multilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations. To ensure a whole-of-government approach, advancement of G7 and other international commitments, and consistent and complementary application with other related initiatives, in particular the Charlevoix Blueprint for Healthy Oceans, Seas, and Resilient Coasts and Communities, the Ocean Plastics Charter, the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals, the existing ADM-level Interdepartmental Committee on Oceans (ICO), will be used as the venue for representatives from DFO, ECCC and Global Affairs Canada to provide oversight of the Framework initiatives. The committee currently includes these Departments as well as Transport Canada, Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, Natural Resources Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Western Economic Diversification Canada, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, the Parks Canada Agency, and the Department of National Defence.

The ADM Committee, will enable a whole-of-government approach in implementing the Framework, including maintaining strong oversight, providing strategic direction, and facilitating coordination amongst departments. The Committee will facilitate alignment of the Framework initiatives with other federal priorities where possible, such as reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, a focus on the poorest and most vulnerable, in particular women and girls, Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, the Pan Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, and Canada’s United Nations Security Council Campaign. Relevant members of the Committee (that is, DFO, ECCC, and Global Affairs Canada) will also systematically review information provided for measuring, monitoring and assessing the progress of specific initiatives; including evaluation(s) of the Plan and/or specific initiatives. The DG Committee will serve as the venue for oversight of the delivery of the Framework and related G7 commitments by DFO, ECCC, and Global Affairs Canada, which will report to and take guidance from the existing ADM Committee, to ensure whole of government coordination and alignment with government priorities at the most senior level. The relevant members of the ADM Committee will ensure that results are being managed with initiatives and that the collection of activities support Canada’s G7 priorities and commitments. If and when escalation is required as determined by the ADM Committee, ad hoc meetings of DMs will be convened. ADM committee meetings will include a dedicated International Oceans Framework agenda item on a bi-annual basis for relevant committee members to discuss Framework initiatives, with the option for additional meetings as necessary.

The interdepartmental ADM Committee will also enable horizontal reporting by DFO, ECCC, and Global Affairs Canada on plan progress and results to ministers and Canadians, and linking initiatives and progress to related global and Government-wide initiatives, including Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan and G7 commitments such as, the Charlevoix Blueprint for Healthy Oceans, Seas, and Resilient Coasts and Communities, and the Ocean Plastics Charter. In addition to Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, reporting on achievements of the plan will be shared with the public at key intervals, highlighting progress on Canada’s G7 commitments.

Canada made significant progress on its leadership in two key areas: ocean observation and tackling Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. Significant expansion in the number of Biogeochemical Argo and Argo floats deployed was realized, and membership in Canada's Blue Charter Action group on Ocean Observation was expanded. Implementation of the Dark Vessel Detection project in Ecuador was welcomed by Ecuador's Minister of Defence & Minister of Foreign Affairs in meetings with Canada's Ambassador. Training was delivered to three operation centres and the system is now operational and supplying data to support the protection of the Galapagos Region and Ecuador's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Capacity Building for Sustainable Fisheries and Oceans Management in Developing States - The Adaptation of Coastal Communities and the Blue Economy (APOCEB) - Partnerships for Development Innovation project is implemented by Cégep de la Gaspesie et des Iles in Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and the Gambia. COVID-19 had significant impacts on the mobilization of international staff and the travel of local staff within the targeted countries, delaying field activities by several months. A fully equipped local office with logistical support was established in Dakar and local staff (that is, climate action ambassadors and national experts in environment, product transformation, community development and gender integration) were recruited to work with the targeted communities in each of the four countries to engage with communities to discuss project objectives, formulate a common vision and expected results for the project and initiate the phase of data collection and review of development options based on the resource base. Experts were also mobilized to initiate scientific work aimed at carrying out an inventory of the natural resources of the targeted communities.

At the same time, Memoranda of Understanding were negotiated with the principal national partners in each of the four targeted countries. The baseline survey was carried out in 37 targeted localities across the four countries. Finally, the governance and management structures were agreed on resulting in the establishment of a Project Steering Committee as well as a Monitoring Committee. At the end of March 2021, many of the project start up activities had been either completed or were nearing completion.

Capacity Building for Sustainable Fisheries and Oceans Management in Developing States - Grant Arrangement for Small Scale Fisheries Project - Stakeholder consultations and updating of the workplan and priorities have been completed in the three project countries.

Marine Litter Mitigation Fund - PROBLUE (World Bank): 96% of the activities approved included gender-sensitive elements in their proposals; Canada proposed the establishment of the Gender Equality Working Group and is chairing meetings; Supported work in every region, adding value to 50 investments totaling more than $3.6 billion.

Incubator Network

• gender equality considerations have been introduced and continues to mainstreams gender across the whole program
• improved access to gender sensitive support services of the private sector to design, implement, measure and support inclusive waste management and recycling ventures and innovations
• built a growing network of 35+ Entrepreneur Support Organisations based in and operating across five target countries

Marine Litter Mitigation Fund - Global Plastics Action Partnership (GPAP) (World Economic Forum): Hired a gender and inclusion advisor and shared a draft gender strategy; Indonesia Multi-Stakeholder Action Plan was launched in April 2020 with the creation of five task forces to fast-track its implementation - the Canadian Embassy in Jakarta became one of the 13 members of the Financing task force; Four National Plastics Action Plan partnerships launched in Indonesia, Ghana, Vietnam and Nigeria.

National Adaptation Plans - Implemented the toolkit ‘Gender Responsive Process to Formulate and Implement National Adaptation Plans’; Facilitated regional workshops organized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Gender Team on integrating gender into national climate actions; Provided technical support to 27 developing countries, including a record number of short-term technical support requests through the Country Support Hub.

Pacific Initiative on Biodiversity, Climate and Resilience - Prepared the necessary management tools and governance structure to operate the initiative as a multi-donor one-stop shop for funding projects that promote nature-based solutions across the Pacific region and on the assessment of regional proposals.

Capacity Building for Sustainable Fisheries and Oceans Management in Developing States - The Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Fisheries in the Caribbean project ($500K, 2019-21) aimed to improve sustainable fisheries for women and girls and other vulnerable populations in the Caribbean. Activities were implemented by the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) based in Belize to help advance gender equality, decent work and youth involvement in sustainable development of fisheries.

The partners reported progress was satisfactory, with expected delivery dates for project outputs and targets identified in the results management framework being, mainly, achieved. That said, COVID-19 posed a challenge to the implementation of capacity building activities, but adopted and adapted technology for remote working and meetings allowed most activities to be satisfactorily carried out.

The outputs produced by the project included:

• review report on countries’ compliance with international instruments in relation to fisheries
• report on determination of appropriate gender-related data / research
• gender Analysis, Strategy and Action Plan on Mainstreaming in Fisheries in the Caribbean for CRFM on traditional fishing knowledge & practices
• draft National Gender Action Plans (related to the fisheries sector) for Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago
• report on gender-aware capacity development and awareness training
• report on development of regional and national monitoring and evaluation systems to track gender equality, decent work achievements, and youth involvement
• M&E tracking tool to assess impact of CRFM gender mainstreaming initiative
• guidance for Gender Equality in Recruiting and Hiring
• proposals for gender sensitive fisheries-related business activities

Overall assessment of progress:

The development of a Gender Analysis and Action Plan on Gender Mainstreaming in Fisheries in the Caribbean for CRFM countries was on target. The increase of 25% in the membership of women in the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO), from 2017 level, was projected for the end of 2020; but could not be assessed prior to final reporting due to the project timeline. A gender evaluation tool is now available to assess level of gender awareness in all CRFM Member States. 75% of CRFM Member States have identified gender focal points in national fisheries authorities, advisory committees and/or other fisheries related agencies; while approximately 40% of participants to discuss Flying fish management issues over the past 3 years have been female. The development of the Gender mainstreaming strategy and action plan informed the development of 1 formal training session in lieu of 4 capacity building sessions held for fisherfolks groups on gender mainstreaming, awareness and decent work and youth empowerment which incorporated material on gender-based analysis for CRFM staff; and contributed to regional and national Gender, youth and decent work tracking systems being developed and available. The initiative also contributed to Five National Gender Action Plans (NGAPs) for Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago.

Environment and Climate Change Canada: Activity completed in 2019-20; no further activity in 2020-21.