Gillnets

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Belize bans possession and use of gillnets in Belizean waters.

Gillnets are notorious for indiscriminately trapping and killing marine life. Its long-term use would have jeopardized biodiversity, the fishing and tourism industries, and food security. Gillnets were the gear of choice for illegal fishing, which contributed to the degradation of the integrity of Belize’s marine resources, threatened the country’s national security, undermined Belizean livelihoods, and further compromised food security.

In a landmark decision to protect livelihoods and strengthen marine conservation, the Government of Belize passed the Statutory Instrument 158 of 2020 titled Fisheries Resources (Gill Net Prohibition) Regulations 2020. This legislation bans the possession and use of gillnets in Belize’s marine territorial seas, Exclusive Economic Zone and internal waters. This legislation also rendered all gillnet licenses invalid.

In 2009, Oceana supported Belizean fishers’ call to ban gillnetting in Belizean waters. Belizean fishers have been petitioning for a gillnet ban since the 1990s, and several marine conservation organizations joined in support over the years following.

In February 2018, the Cabinet established a task force to develop improved measures to reduce the harmful effects of gill nets on marine life. The task force was to consider the existing regulations regarding gillnets and the scope and area of use in Belizean waters, including the option of a total ban.

In February 2019, the Government of Belize declared the opening of the submission period to gather information from the public on gillnet use in Belize. This would inform the consideration of socio-economic and environmental impacts on fisherfolk, fisheries resources, and marine ecosystems. The information obtained through this form will be compiled and utilized by the Gillnet Taskforce. The submission deadline was extended twice, with the final date being March 31, 2019.

In November 2019, Oceana and the Belize Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries committed via written letters of intent to the Government of Belize over BZ$2 million to assist Belizean fishers in transitioning away from gillnet use in Belize’s waters. Both Oceana and the Coalition required the Government of Belize to take the necessary legal steps in 2019 to declare a ban on gillnets beginning in 2020. The Belize Fisheries Department identified eligible beneficiaries for this initiative in response to the request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

Later, in November 2019, the government turned down the proposed financial aid package to fishers. Oceana continued our advocacy for the integrity of Belize’s marine resources.

In December 2019, the Barrow administration took the historic step of declaring gillnets inherently destructive and announced a moratorium on the issuance of gillnet licenses, citing that the only fishers who can continue to gillnet fish are those who were licensed in 2018. However, the government stated that the successful transition of gillnet users to alternative livelihoods must precede a ban. Oceana continued to engage with the Prime Minister, the Minister, and the Ministry of Fisheries to identify our role in the reasonable transition of Belizean gillnet users of this gear to alternate means of fishing.

In August 2020, the Government of Belize entered into an agreement with Oceana and the Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries. The total offer of transitional support to Belizean fishers increased to BZ$2.5 million, with Oceana raising $1 million of that fund. The funds raised by Oceana would be used to buy gillnetting licenses from Belizean fishers in cash, with monthly payments made directly to fishers through the Belize Credit Union League, which would complement the supplemental income training opportunities program.

On November 5, 2020, the Government of Belize passed the Statutory Instrument 158 of 2020 titled Fisheries Resources (Gill Net Prohibition) Regulations 2020, banning the possession and use of gillnets in Belize’s marine territorial seas, Exclusive Economic Zone and internal waters.

Victories

November 5, 2020

Belize Bans Possession and Use of Gillnets in Belizean Waters

In a landmark decision to protect livelihoods and strengthen marine conservation, the Government of Belize passed the Statutory Instrument 158 of 2020 titled Fisheries Resources (Gill Net Prohibition) Regulations 2020. This legislation bans the possession and use of gillnets in Belize’s marine territorial seas, Exclusive Economic Zone and internal waters. This legislation also rendered all gillnet licenses invalid.

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