PM Comments on Gillnet Proposed Ban

Prime Minister Dean Barrow today commented on the debate surrounding the banning of gillnets. Recently, OCEANA Belize offered the government a gillnet buy-back programme if a ban on gillnets is first instituted.  The government, however, has rejected the financial aid package and plans to phase out gillnets in two years with measures to ensure that livelihoods security is a priority, especially for dependent communities.  According to PM Barrow, the financial assistance that is being offered is not enough for a successful transition.

Dean Barrow

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“I had the sense that there is in fact a great deal of opposition from those that currently have license to use gillnets and there was certainly the complaint as I understand from the minister; there is a complaint that the money that Oceana has been able to locate is simply not enough to have these people transition properly to a livelihood that will be at least equal in substance to what it is that they now enjoy. So it is the government position as you know that there is moratorium that the current license holders will be phased out and that in fact if more money can be raised, if sufficient money can be raised where we can feel certain that in fact it is enough to take care of the livelihoods of those who will be disposes then we will accelerate the coming ban. It is going to happen but for now we are saying let’s go with the moratorium while we try to phase things out and to look to see whether they can be additional gathering of resources.”