Fisheries Resources Bill Successfully Tabled and Passed

A new Fisheries Resources Bill was tabled in the House of Representatives on Friday which will aid in making small-scale fisheries more sustainable for marine life, as well as fisher folks.  This new piece of legislation which was unanimously supported in the upper house replaces the previous law which has been on the books for the past seventy years.  Not only will it ensure the sustainable use and management of fisheries resources, it will also help with conservation for the coral reefs. 

Dean Barrow

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“This bill has been consulted in the most comprehensive manner possible and enjoys the support of the majority of stakeholders.  No doubt there are one or two persons, entities, that are not satisfied but that will always be the case Mr. Speaker, with any human endeavor.  So I simply want to say that in terms of the instructions I have, it gives me great pleasure to be able to move as it were, on your behalf, the second reading of this bill.  Thank you.”

Frank ‘Papa’ Mena

Frank ‘Papa’ Mena, Area Representative, Dangriga

“Mr. Speaker, I seek your indulgence in referring to my notes and first I want to recognize those stakeholders who are here with us this morning, who have been a part of this ventilation for some time now.  Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the passage of the Fisheries Resource Bill.  Mr. Speaker, the fishing industry of Belize contributes three to four percent annually of GDP and has maintained its place as one of the main foreign exchange earners of our country.  The Fisheries Resources Bill continues to provide food security and livelihood for thousands of Belizeans.”