For the last few weeks, the officials from the Ministry of Blue Economy have been visiting fishing communities to put out public relations fires ahead of the start of this year's lobster season. On July 1, several new rules will be enforced on the local fishing community.
The rule change that is causing the biggest controversy for the local fishing community is a decision to increase the minimum size of lobster tails that can be legally sold from 4 ounces to 4.5 ounces.
It's a very small numerical change, but it's a big deal according to some fisherfolk. That's because most of the lobsters they can catch during the majority of the season are around 4 ounces, they claim. If the fisheries enforcement teams catch them with lobster tails that are less than 4.5 ounces in weight, they will immediately be charged for possessing undersized fisheries products.
We've seen a petition from the Caye Caulker community which demands that the government reverse this change.
Then, there's a press release sent out last month from a collective of fisherfolk who call themselves the United Fishermen Committee. They say quote, "We take this opportunity to reiterate that these regulations are not beneficial or sustainable for the fishermen of Belize." End quote.
Members of the fishing community in Sarteneja invited our newsroom to witness a community meeting that was organized to vent their collective frustrations with the new rules. Our Daniel Ortiz and camera man Abdul Zelaya traveled to the northeastern edge of the Corozal District to hear their views, and here's that story:
When our news team arrived in the Village shortly before midday, we found a crowd of fishermen and women from Sarteneja, Copper Bank, and Chunox. They were engaged in a community meeting to discuss why they have big objections to a fisheries regulation that the Briceno Administration has implemented.
That change to the fisheries rules is that on July 1st, 2022, when the new lobster season opens, all fisherfolk will have to deliver lobster tails of 4.5 ounces or more. Previously, they could deliver lobster tails that measured 4 ounces. If they are caught with lobster tails smaller than 4.5 ounces, they will be breaking the law.
The authorities want fishermen to start catching bigger lobsters, and although the change is only a difference of 0.5 ounces, these communities seem ready to resist it strenuously.
In the community, "Where the Sun Sets On The Water," the fisherfolk who talked to us said the same thing. To them, this change means a decline in their take-home earnings and an injury to their livelihoods.
Benedicto Perez - Sarteneja Fisherman, 20 years
"Fishermen have never been consulted when the decisions are being made. For the many years I have been and experiencing this implementation of regulations, fishermen are the last ones to know what's going on."
Octavio Flores - Sarteneja Fisherman, 50 years
"If that's the movement that he is trying to make, we will not survive. I used to deliver a thousand pounds [of lobster]. If he continues with this law that he is pushing, the most I can put for this season, if God gives me the strength, is 200 pounds. What will I do with a drum and a half of gas that I burnt, food, ice, water, everything? With what will I pay my workers?"
Daniel Ortiz
"So, you're saying they're hitting your bottom line hard."
Octavio Flores
"Definitely, with what will I come and maintain my family? I have little grandchildren who are going to school. I have one of my granddaughters who is going to high school. Where will I find this money now? What is he trying to tell me, that I should become a thief, or do something out of the way? No sir. I cannot believe that. I can't take this. We have to do something. We have to stand up like a fisherman and fight for our rights."
Rodrigo Lopez - Sarteneja Fisherman, 4 Years
"Whenever the season opens, we, as fishermen, give the first 5 strong products. We come with a strong product, which is the big lobsters. Sometimes we bring 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 [ounces], and in our batch of lobsters, we bring 4.2, 4.3. but you will only get that on the first 4-5 trips. You will get the big lobster. After that, there will be a decrease, so you will only be fishing lobster from 4.0 to 4.5 [ounces]. I will not say that you won't get lobster above the 4.5. You will get it, but it is not as much as the beginning of the opening."
Daniel Ortiz
"You're saying immediately that disqualifies all the other lobsters says later in the season that can be delivered because you will be breaking the law."
Rodrigo Lopez
"Yes, we're going to be breaking the law, and I think that it should be - the law should stay [at] 4.0."
Neftali Verde - Sarteneja Fisherman, 20 Years
"Gasoline went up. The food went up, and we're expecting an expense of $250. [On] some boats, they have $300 in expenses."
Daniel Ortiz
"For every two-week trip."
Neftali Verde
"Every week trip, [for] like four or five days fishing, and actually if you're making an income of five - let's say $600 average. You have $300 in expenses. 50% of that $600 will be deducted from the 0.5 ounces that we won't be catching anymore."
Daniel Ortiz
"Or can't deliver."
Neftali Verde
"-Or can't deliver, so we remain with $300, and that is just covering our expenses of the trip. So what will our families eat at home?"
Ovel Leonardo - Organizer, Fisherfolk Community Meeting
"I feel like to regulate something, you have to get consultations, and if we had consultations throughout this country, and the fishers agreed, then I would support it. But so far, no consultations; I believe we live in a country with freedom of speech."
Benedicto Perez
"It's going to affect me in my daily bread. You know, it's like you're taking away my tools, or your taking - because we just go and hunt. Whatever God provides for us, that's what we take home for our kids."
So, what do they think about the argument of sustainable fishing being in favor of this change? After all, the wisdom being offered is that a reduction in the overfishing pressures means that future generations of Belizeans will be able to make their livelihood out of lobster fishing.
Daniel Ortiz
"They're trying to ensure that your kids and your grandkids will have lobster in the sea to catch if and when they become fishermen."
Benedicto Perez
"Okay, there are certain parts of the entire Belizean waters that have different types of lobsters. Like in the north, this is - everybody knows this. Everyone who lives on the coast or has a link with fishermen knows that in the north part of Belize, they don't have big lobsters. Caye Caulker, the whole of San Pedro, Bacalar Chico, up to Goff's Caye, it's like one sized lobster. You can bearly find 5 or 6-ounce lobsters."
Neftali Verde
"It's a certain amount of fishermen who fish outside the reef. Outside, the reef doesn't affect that much. But as soon as you jump inside the reef, the average size is 4.5 below."
Octavio Flores
"Turneffe Island is a place that always - no matter what we do. The government can close the season for 100 years, and we go back again, the same size of lobster we will find in that area."
Daniel Ortiz
"Which is how big?"
Octavio Flores
"4 ounces."
Daniel Ortiz
"So, you automatically can fish there."
Octavio Flores
"Yes."
These fishermen also claim that according to their experience at sea, lobsters with 4-ounce tails are already mature enough to reproduce and that they aren't extracting juveniles.
Benedicto Perez
"In my experience as a fisherman, I've seen four-ounce lobster tails having eggs. So, that is a sign that they are fully developed. They're ready to reproduce. So, I do respect and understand their scientific reasons. But I, as a fisherman, see different things out there."
Neftali Verde
"So we believe that four-ounce lobsters are already mature; it's already an adult. And I think it won't affect the industry."
Daniel Ortiz
"Explain why you do you think it won't affect [it]."
Neftali Verde
"Because actually, they're on the reproduction level."
We understand that Andre Perez, the Minister responsible for fisheries, has met with different communities to hear their complaints and allay their fears. We are told that he will visit Sarteneja on Friday for a community meeting.
