Belize Model For Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries Management

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Government

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#OceanAction41264

Description

Belize's Voluntary Commitments grouped under three main themes

1. Promote and improve the legal framework for the management of fisheries / marine resources in Belize in consultation with stakeholders. a) Endorsement and implementation of new Fisheries Bill
b) Development and implementation of national fisheries policy
c) Update the Coastal Zone Management Amendment Act and Regulations
d) Implement an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZM)
e) Development and implementation of a national / sub regional strategy to effectively combat IUU fishing

2. Promote measures to improve management and resiliency of fisheries / marine resources.
a) Develop and implement adaptive management plans for Queen conch, Caribbean spiny lobster & finfish
b) Expansion of replenishment zone from 3% to 10% of national waters
c) Adopt and implement FAO Voluntary Guidelines for sustainable small-scale fisheries
d) Set catch limits for Caribbean spiny lobster
e) Develop a climate resilience strategy for coastal zone

3. Increase economic benefits to fishers through the sustainable management of fisheries resources in Belize
a) Support the adoption of a fisheries sustainability certification program (e.g. Fish Right, Eat Right)
b) Develop new fisheries products/value added products
c) Support access to new and higher value markets
d) Develop policy for sustainable seaweed aquaculture
e) Develop and implement best practices for sustainable seaweed farming

Partners

Belize Fisheries Department (Government), United Nations Development Programme (United Nations entity), Environmental Defense Fund (Non-governmental organization), Wildlife Conservation Society (Non-governmental organization), The Nature Conservancy (Non-governmental organization) and Belize fishers (Private sector)

SDGS & Targets

Goal 14

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

14.1

By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

14.1.1

(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

14.2

By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

14.2.1

Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

14.3

Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

14.3.1

Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

14.4

By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

14.4.1

Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

14.5

By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

14.5.1

Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

14.6

By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

14.6.1

Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

14.7

By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

14.7.1

Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

14.a

Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

14.a.1

Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

14.b

Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

14.b.1

Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

14.c

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

14.c.1

Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

SDG 14 targets covered

Name	Description
14.2	By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.4	By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.5	By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.7	By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.a	Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.b	Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.c	Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

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Feedback

Action Network

Timeline

01 June 2017 (start date)

01 December 2020 (date of completion)

Entity

Belize Fisheries Department

SDGs

Geographical coverage

Belize City, Belize

Ocean Basins

Global

Communities of Ocean Action

Marine and coastal ecosystems management, Sustainable fisheries, Sustainable blue economy, Scientific knowledge, research capacity development and transfer of marine technology, Implementation of international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

Website/More information

N/A

Countries

N/A

Contact Information

Mauro Gongora, Fisheries Officer

mauro.gongora@fisheries.gov.bz