Resilient Bold Belize Promises Focused Consultations Following Concerns from Fishers

Beverly Wade, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Blue Economy, said the government plans to conduct more focused consultations on the Resilient Bold Belize initiative following recent concerns from fishers.

The initiative aims to protect 20% of Belize’s coral reef as part of the broader goal of safeguarding 30% of the country’s ocean space under the Blue Bond program.

“We very much appreciate the feedback that we’ve gotten from Mister Garbutt… We have now planned a series of focused consultations,” Wade said. “The idea is not to marginalize Belizeans but to say how we could now find that balance or compromise where we ensure that the very reason why we want to look carefully at coral reefs. That we are not undermining that primary reason, which is really for people.” 

The announcement comes after Eworth Garbutt, President of the Belize Flat Fishery Association, raised concerns with News Five about the lack of proper consultation in an initiative that could affect the livelihoods of coastal communities. 

Today, Garbutt is holding a press conference to address specific areas of concern raised by the fishing community.