Belize Ratifies Convention for Safety of Fishing Vessels

Eamon Courtenay

The Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels was adopted in 1977 and later amended over time. It was the first international convention to establish clear requirements and standards for the safety of fishing vessels. Today in the Senate, Leader of Government Business, Senator Eamon Courtenay, presented a motion to have the convention ratified by Belize.

Senator Eamon Courtenay, Leader of Government Business

“Whereas the 2012 agreement will finally establish an international maritime organization, mandatory instruments for fishing vessels, providing consolidated, unified standards on designs and construction and equipment on fishing vessels, including regulations, designed to protect the safety of crews and observers and provide a level playing field for the industry, the agreement will also contribute to the battle against illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing, and whereas Sixty-one A-two-A of the Belize Constitution provides that the Senate shall authorize the accession to any treaty by the Government of Belize, now therefore be it resolved that the Senate authorizes the Government of Belize to ratify the agreement.”