BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – Belize Monday began advancing plans in its fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing with the convening of a two-day national consultation on the draft National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate IUU Fishing (NPOA-IUU).
IUU fishing refers to fishing activities that violate national or international laws and regulations, undermine fisheries management, and threaten marine ecosystems. It encompasses a range of harmful practices, including fishing without a license, misreporting catches, fishing in prohibited areas, and using illegal fishing gear.
The Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, through the Belize Fisheries Department, stated that the consultation has brought together key stakeholders from across the fisheries sector, government agencies, and partner organizations.
The Belize-based Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) is providing technical support to the authorities here, saying the objectives of the consultation are to gather feedback on the draft NPOA-IUU, developed in collaboration with the CRFM as well as to incorporate multi-agency perspectives for a more inclusive and coordinated national response to IUU fishing.
It is also intended to ensure alignment between the NPOA-IUU and Belize’s broader national development priorities and strategic goals.
The government said it is committed to protecting Belize’s marine biodiversity and ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from the ocean’s resources.
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