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Government has finally taken a compromise decision on gill nets -  proposing measures to quote, “control gill net use in Belize’s seas.â€￾  And, bottom line, “controllingâ€￾ it means saying yes to the nets.  

But, it’s a yes with a few restrictions. A press release says there will be an immediate moratorium on the issuance of gill net licenses to new persons and importation of gill nets will be restricted based on licenses. Â All existing gill nets will have to be re-registered and licenses will now be for a seasonal duration. 

The release adds, quote, “The allowable mesh size will be adjusted to lessen the likelihood of by-catch of protected marine species. Â Most importantly, the use of gill nets will be forbidden in the southernmost waters, south of Punta Gorda, that are important for ecological and biodiversity conservation.â€￾  End quote. 

The release explains that the measures are to be implemented over a two year period and are, quote, “intended to control the overall negative impacts of gill nets in Belize, while protecting the right to income of local fishers.â€￾ End quote.  

And for OCEANA which has lobbied hard for a complete ban, it’s a major defeat.  And, this evening, the  international conservation group issued a release saying that by permitting  the use of gillnets in Belizean waters, quote, "the Government has turned down a two-million-dollar financial aid package that would have been disbursed to licensed Belizean fishers as part of their agreement to transition away from this indiscriminate and destructive gear.â€￾ End quote. 

The release adds, “By effectively maintaining the status quo, the Government…has protected illegal and unlicensed users of this gear, and has also failed to safeguard the livelihood rights of the 97% of commercial fishers who do not use gillnets as well as the hundreds of Belizeans who depend on catch and release fishing in the tourism sector. “

OCEANA says it will continue to advocate, while the best government can say is that there will be, quote, “legislative measures to expand restrictions on gill net use in Belize, while the continued possibility for a trade-in/alternative livelihood programme is explored with donor support.  If critical parameters are met in the future, including the successful transition by gill net fishers to alternative gear or livelihoods, an immediate ban will be considered.â€￾ End quote.