Belize Progressive Party calls out Government for allowing foreign fishers to be ‘direct competition’ to local fishers

Published by BBN Staff at June 22, 2021

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Posted: Tuesday, June 22, 2021. 10:29 am CST.

By Zoila Palma: Today, the Belize Progressive Party (BPP) issued a statement condemning the decision of the Government to sign into Law Statutory Instrument Number 57 of 2021.

BPP says that the SI allows foreign fishers to participate in the fishing industry and be in direct competition with national and local fishers.

“This is a MAJOR THREAT to the LIVELIHOOD of OUR FISHERS as well as a THREAT to the SUSTAINABILITY of the FISHERIES RESOURCES themselves,” the BPP said.

The BPP says that the Government is bringing more pressures on fisheries resources that are already under tremendous pressure.

“A number of fishstocks are already overfished and in decline and the decision to allow MORE FISHERS from NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES where the fishstocks has been overfished and depleted to LEGALLY FISH in BELIZE will only WORSEN an already BAD SITUATION,” the BPP noted.

The BPP further called on the Prime Minister and cabinet to put the national interest first by repealing the SI.

In addition, the BPP is appealing to fishers organizations to become engaged on this issue to ensure that the livelihood of fishers are first.

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