On December 8, 2025, key stakeholders in environmental preservation, sustainable development and the fishing sector gathered in Suriname for the BIODEV 2030 phase II closeout meeting. The primary focus of this meeting was to provide final project updates, consolidate efforts to reform policies for sustainable fisheries, and highlight a collective commitment to preserving Suriname's rich marine resources.
A key agenda point was the presentation of the Policy Briefs and Project Concept Notes, delivered by Soraya Wijntuin, Manager, Better Production in Natural Resources at WWF-Guianas. These documents outline actionable strategies for sustainable fisheries management and provide a roadmap for policy reform, emphasising the need for integrating local communities and fisherfolk into conservation efforts.
The discussions were enriched by insightful remarks from several prominent figures. H.E. Mr Nicolas de Bouillane de Lacoste, the Ambassador of France in Suriname, highlighted the critical role of international cooperation in addressing fisheries sustainability and environmental conservation. Mr Pierre Bourguignon, Country Manager of Agence Française de Développement (AFD), echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of financing and strategic investments in sustainable practices.
A key component of the closeout meeting agenda was the presentation of outcomes, insights and lessons learned from the recently concluded Regional Technical Exchange workshop held in French Guiana, which featured participants from Suriname, French Guiana, and Guyana as part of the presentation delivered by Mr Sunny Sewlal, Fisheries officer with the BIODEV Working group of Suriname. This exchange was an important activity in the BIODEV project, which fostered discussions on best practices and innovative approaches to mitigate the challenges facing fisheries in the Guianas.
The future of Suriname's fisheries relies on the collective efforts of stakeholders, and this meeting marked a significant step toward greater sustainability in the sector. In her remarks, Ms Johanna Langbroek, Director of WWF-Guianas, offered a compelling vision for WWF’s work with stakeholders to support sustainable fisheries in the Guianas. Brief remarks from Mr Ranjit Soekhradj on behalf of the Deputy Director of Fisheries, Mr Zojindra Arjune, of the Ministry of Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV), and Ms Jiechel Kasandiredjo, Deputy Director of Living Environment and Ecosystems at the Ministry of Oil, Gas, and Environment (OGM), further emphasised the government of Suriname’s commitment to advancing policies that will safeguard marine biodiversity.
The meeting served not only as a reflection on the progress made under the BIODEV 2030 initiative but also as a rallying point for continued advocacy and collaboration in sustainable fisheries management. BIODEV2030 Phase II was implemented over the past three years by WWF-Guianas with funding from the French Development Agency (AFD) and was supported by the national partners in Suriname; the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (LVV), and the Ministry of Oil, Gas and Environment (OGM).
