N.G.O.s Call Out Ministry of Blue Economy on Gillnet Ban Lawsuit!

Gillnets will just not go away, although a ban on the destructive fishing gear was signed into law last November. Aside from the nationwide gillnet ban, G.O.B. signed an agreement with OCEANA and the Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries to help licensed gillnet fishers transition to other sustainable forms of livelihoods. But four months later and the issue hasn’t gone away.  On Tuesday evening, OCEANA Belize and Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries issued a joint press release saying that there is a move afoot which is threatening that gillnet ban. According to the two entities, illegal gillnetters are lobbying and the Ministry of Blue Economy is in the process of mediating before the matter gets underway in court.  Today, these organizations spoke with the press about the concerns moving forward. Including that there may be a reversal of the gillnet ban.

Janelle Chanona

Janelle Chanona, Vice President, OCEANA Belize

“In response to a lawsuit that had been filed, the Ministry was moved to alter the ban and that there was only one point that they were not moved to acquiesce to and so felt it imperative as OCEANA to share then that that would have ramifications, particularly and immediately to the fishers currently benefitting from the transitional support as well as the wider community because certainly of the fact that an inherently dangerous and destructive gear is out of the water benefits far more people other than the immediate beneficiaries of the  transition program. We reiterate, we want to have that meeting.   Once we have that conversation that the Ministry will be fully update and informed that in terms of everything that is in place and where there may be gaps in terms of what has led to certain confusion will be that we have been documenting throughout.”

Andrew Roe

Andrew Roe, Chair, Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries

“The importance here is that we are putting some focus on the Ministry but I think the real focus should be on the Fisheries Department. Regardless of which government is in power, the fisheries department has the mandate to protect the marine resources of this country and make sure that all who are beneficiaries of these resources receive equal and fair access.   The Coalition just wants the opportunity to make sure that all the information is on the table; that the organizations as well as the fishers who are benefitting from the two million dollars of transition funding are heard – their concerns are heard and the history of what went into getting here is put on the table and we can work forward.”