Fishermen express concern over marine reserves

In related news Fisheries Minister Daniel Silva may have some additional worries concerning marine reserves. According to a government release Silva recently met with members of the fishing villages of Chunux, Copperbank and Sarteneja in the Corozal District and heard their concerns regarding the establishment of protected areas in what have traditionally been their fishing grounds. The fishermen complained that too much protection for fish amounted to a threat to the livelihood of the fishermen. Silva promised dialogue between the fishermen, environmentalists and his ministry to promote the growth of the fishing sector without damaging Belize’s varied marine resources. The Corozal fishermen are known to be the nation’s most aggressive. Their boats range the entire coast and atolls as far south as the Sapodilla Cayes.