Concerns Raised Over Rainforest Seafood Ltd Bust

The Belize Federation of Fisheries has fired off a press release, following reports that authorities seized some twenty-two thousand undersized conchs weighing over three thousand pounds from Rainforest Seafood Limited. Reports are that the company was allegedly attempting to export the conch when the haul was seized. In its release, the Federation says that it must register its deep concern over the purported discovery. The release says, “If the matter as reported in the press and on various avenues of social media most recently is true, it is reflective of the unfolding crisis being experienced not only by the conch fishery, but by other aspects of the Belize Fishing Industry”. The release went on to say that the situation of the purported illegal haul of conch by Rainforest is a “symptom of a deeper problem that the Government must work along with the Fishing Industry to remedy. It is the proverbial tip of the iceberg – it is the symptom of a much deeper problem. Illegal fishing and the illegal trade in fishery product is a major problem”. We reached out to the Fisheries Department for comments today and we were told that the department is not providing any media interview at this moment because it is a very sensitive matter that may have legal implications and that is being dealt with through the office of the Director of Public Prosecution. Andre Perez the Minister of Blue Economy informed us that when possible he will brief the media on the matter. We will continue to follow this story.