Unified Enforcement Targets Illegal Fishing Threat in Southern Waters

The Coast Guard, working alongside Fisheries officials and environmental partners, is stepping up enforcement against illegal fishing, and already seeing results. In a recent joint operation, authorities intercepted and detained three Honduran nationals accused of fishing unlawfully. Rear Admiral Greg Soberanis says this is part of a broader, ongoing effort to protect Belize’s marine resources and push back against foreign incursions. The men have since been charged and fined, and further action may follow as immigration officials review their illegal entry. Tonight, officials say it’s all about teamwork, and taking a unified stand to defend Belize’s waters.

 

Rear Admiral Greg Soberanis, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard

“We have been collaborating with our partners, the Fisheries Department, the NGO community down south, to address the issue of illegal fishing particularly from fishermen who come from Honduras, and at times, Guatemala as well. In this particular instance, it was an ongoing operation that was conducted, a joint operation that was conducted by the coast guard, fisheries, and the NGO community down south, WCS, SEA, from Placencia. We were able to detain three Honduran nationals, and he was subsequently handed over to the police in Independence Village. This morning, they were processed through the courts by the Fisheries Department where charges were levied against them and they had to pay a fine. That’s from the fisheries enforcement perspective. I believe the Immigration Department will also look into the matter as it relates to their illegal entry into Belizean waters. Currently, we are simply coordinating with our partner agencies and ensuring that from a collective and unified front, that we address the issue of illegal fishing in our southern waters.”

 

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