Ministry of Blue Economy Hits Back on Gillnet Issue!

Andre Perez

But tonight, the Ministry of Blue Economy says hold up – that’s not what is happening.  Earlier today, the ministry issued its own press release to counter the joint statement from OCEANA Belize and the Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries and by this afternoon, the ministry had called a virtual press conference. According to the ministry, the lawsuit is being filed by gillnetters who feel they have been marginalized and left out of the process which has impacted their livelihoods. According to Minister Andre Perez, they recognize the ban, but they will engage those who feel that they were excluded.

Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy

“To say that we are under some kind of secretive talks to lift this ban that is not true. What we are doing is trying to find common ground that is important. While we acknowledge that the NGOs have assisted us by offering financial compensation to the fishing community there are some out there who say they have been left behind. Now, if there are some out there who say that they have been disenfranchised by this ban then they have a right to seek redress in court.”

Reporter

“What is the position of the ban, sir? What is the position from the government of the day?”

Andre Perez

“The government’s position of the day still stands. We will always advocate for what is there that the gillnet ban exists but we are also advocating that we must be working with all stakeholders in place.  We must make sure that whatever is there to be given to our fisherfolk or Belizeans that is done in a fair, transparent and equitable manner. This is where our concern is and perhaps might be to the point that the lawsuit is coming that certain people or some of our Belizeans may have been marginalized.”