Belize’s introduction of a new fisheries bill to combat the effects of climate change and illegal fishing has been described as “sweeping” and “exactly the kind of approach needed” by NGO Environmental Defense Foundation (EDF).
EDF said the new Fisheries Resources Bill puts the Central American country alongside Cuba and Japan in adopting reforms of their foundational fisheries management laws, all completed since December 2018.
The new law will solidify new scientific processes for monitoring and managing fish populations; establish more robust enforcement measures for illegal fishing, including vessel monitoring system technology; and formalize legal definitions for the nation’s innovative Managed Access approach.
It will also create a national council made up of key stakeholders including fishers, NGOs and others, to review management plans and other fisheries’ actions, said EDF.
“After many years of work to protect the Western Hemisphere’s largest barrier reef, Belize has emerged as a global leader in ocean conservation with a recent commitment to expand its marine protected areas and the establishment of a national fishing rights system. EDF has partnered with the Belizean government, local fishers and NGO partners since 2011, creating pilot programs and facilitating community engagement in order to help the country move toward sustainable fisheries and the conservation of important marine natural resources,” said EDF.
The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and hosts a diverse array of mangroves, corals, seagrass, cays, as well as populations of conch, lobster and reef fish. According to a recent Mesoamerican Reef Report Card by Healthy Reef for Healthy People, Belize’s no-take zones show growing fish populations and biodiversity.
Beverly Wade, Belize fisheries administrator, said: This new law is a continuation of Belize’s commitment to protect both its vibrant reefs and its fishing sector by empowering our communities with the right tools. Through community engagement, better enforcement and our Managed Access approach, our healthier ocean waters will help us reduce poverty, improve food security and increase investment in Belize.
The new law had a first reading in the National Assembly, with follow-up passage expected in early next year.
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