Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry awarded by the Food & Agriculture Organization

Lisel Alamilla

The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development was today awarded with a commemorative medal by the Food and Agriculture Organization in recognition of work that has been done to implement the Central American Fisheries and Aquaculture Integration Policy. 

Lisel Alamilla, Minister of Fisheries

“I am proud to say that Belize has fully participated in implementing the projects and programs under OSPESCA and has signed on to the following regional agreements: regulation for the Central American Fisheries and Aquaculture registry, regulation for regional management of the Caribbean spiny lobster, regulation for the gradual implementation of regional surveillance and monitoring system, regulation for the prohibition of shark fining in the Central American countries and the code of ethics for responsible fishing and aquaculture in the Central American countries. In showing solidarity with our Central American member state, Belize has also signed the regulation for the use of teds in the shrimp fishery despite all forms of trawling being banned in Belize since 2001. Belize is cognizant that it has an important role to play under OSPESCA.”

John Jorgenson, Fisheries & Aquaculture Officer, Mesoamerica FAO

John Jorgenson

“The medal is awarded to an organization or an individual which has worked with distinction in the promotion of responsible fisheries especially in the support of small scale fisheries in developing countries.”

Lisel Alamilla

“It signifies the importance that we have placed in working with our sister countries in Central American to ensure an integrated approach to fisheries management. In many instances Belize has been far ahead of our sister countries. For example we have not allowed diving with tanks for lobster for a long time and other countries are coming on board. There are a number of regulations that we have signed on and in many instances Belize has been a leader in this. We in fact being a part of OSBESCA has demonstration the benefits of the management approach that we have taken because our fisheries does have our challenges but we are very much ahead when it comes to being a leader in marine conservation.”

The medal, which pays tribute to the late Dr. Margarita Saucedo Lizarraga, is presented to individuals or institutions that promote the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.