Belize Boosts Enforcement in Protected Zones

Expanding Belize’s Biodiversity Protection Zones is a big step, but it’s only part of the puzzle. Acting Fisheries Administrator Rigoberto Quintana says it’s just as important to boost enforcement in these areas. The good news is that funding has already been set aside to strengthen the department’s presence on the ground. Quintana also breaks down what’s allowed, and what’s off-limits, inside these protected zones.

 

Rigoberto Quintana, Acting Fisheries Administrator

“These zones are multiuse zones, while we will not restrict the activities of the fisherfolks. It is a multiuse zone that we have. Under the conservation commitment we have medium biodiversity protection zones, the general use zones in the marine reserve and the higher biodiversity protection zones, which are the notice. Presently we still allow some use, like sports fishing catch and release. So, it is important for fisheries management purposes. So government has invested a lot of funding, especially under the government’s strategic allocation to support the fisheries department and partners to ensure there is more management and enforcement presence at sea. Presently we are developing the National Fisheries Enforcement Strategy. It is a lot of work, also updating the entire Fisheries Regulation to ensure it align with the Fisheries Resources Act that we updated in 2020. So, it is a lot of work happening on the ground.”