G.O.B. Passes Legislation Banning Gillnets in Belize

Belize has taken a major step to strengthen marine conservation and is among a handful of countries that is putting an end to gillnet fishing in its territorial waters. After years of work by the N.G.O. community, including OCENA, the use of gillnets is now illegal.  Late this evening, government announced that it had passed Statutory Instrument 158 of 2020, titled Fisheries Resources (Gill Net Prohibition) Regulations 2020, banning the possession and use of gillnets in Belize’s marine territorial seas, Exclusive Economic Zone and internal waters. All gillnet licenses are now invalid.  The Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries and OCEANA have fundraised two million dollars to support eligible gillnet users to transition away from the gear to alternative means of income generation as well as by providing direct financial support during that process.  The ban is being lauded across the conservation community.