Minister of Tourism Supports the Fisheries Bill!

Manuel Heredia Jr.

For more than ten years, the Fisheries Department and its partners have been working on amendments to the Fisheries Bill.  If the amendments are approved and enacted, there will be stronger enforcement of fisheries regulations and increased promotion of sustainable fisheries management.  Cabinet received the draft bill in March 2014, but the amendments are yet to be tabled in the House. Just this year, organizations like the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association, Southern Environmental Association and the Fisheries Department called for an urgent amendment and passage of the bill.  When we spoke with Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia Junior, he says he is all for the bill.  In his view, some minor things must be tweaked, but he says he wants to see it approved.

Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism

“Overall, I do support the bill. This bill has been there for many years in the making. I, for one, have been advocating that this comes to the Cabinet a long time ago, from the previous Minister of Fisheries.  I believe it is something long overdue. There might be minor little things to adjust but overall, I support it strongly.”