Longtime Gillnet User Supports Ban of ‘Deadly’ Fishing Tool

Ovel Leonardo

The debate on whether to ban the use of gillnets in Belizeans waters continues tonight. Recently, a group of fishermen against the ban staged a protest in Dangriga by members of the Belize Fishermen Cooperative Association. The ban of gillnet usage has been supported by environmental groups such as Oceana, and the Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage. The argument is that gillnets are harmful and detrimental to the fish stock. Longtime fisherman Ovel Leonardo today added to the debate. Leonard who supports the ban on gillnets, says that a licenses gillnet user has witnessed the first had depletion of the fish stock.

Ovel Leonardo, Fisherman

“People are out there saying that we have to blame Oceana, the Coalition. Well, no. Let’s not blame anybody. Let’s blame ourselves. Many years ago when I got starter we used to see fish all over the beach. We don’t see that anymore which means that the fish have depleted and we want fish to come back. So want to ask the Coast Guard to do more patrols and if this ban is to take place we want to ask people to really and all fishermen, to let’s take care of what we have because no one will take care of it for us.”