22 Fishers Associations across the country have collaborated to create and publish the first-ever Belize Fishers Audit. It's a document that brings fishers' concerns to the forefront with recommendations on how to improve the industry. Rather than wait for a consultation, these associations took matters into their own hands and presented that audit today. Courtney Menzies was there and has this story.
For the first time in Belizean history, the fishers of the country have taken the extra step and published their very own audit. Unlike previous audits published by NGOs and conservation groups, this one is by the fishers, for the fishers. As they explained, it focuses on the issues they are directly facing.
Jorge Aldana, President, San Pedro Fishers Association
"The audit was designed around priorities identified by fishers themselves or ourselves and reflects our experiences, our concerns, and aspirations for the future in the fishing sector. The fishing audit was developed as a way for fishers to assess the issues that matter most to us and to evaluate progress on those issues over time."
"The indicators used in this audit were identified and validated by fishermen through consultations and discussions."
"And this is not only about identifying problems, providing evidence, encouraging dialogue and action and where we support solutions but we present recommendations as well in this report. We say this as a tool for accountability, transparency and continued improvement in this sector but most importantly this is a process that demonstrates that fishers want to be an active partner in shaping the future of our fishing industry."
And at their press conference today, they explained what sort of issues can be found in the audit, including lack of transparency, overfishing, and social impact of policies.
Jorge Aldana, President, San Pedro Fishers Association
"Fishers continue to face concerns relating to governance, representation, enforcement, economic opportunities, access to information and participation in the decision making. The findings highlight issues that have been raised by fishermen for many years and provide a structured assessment of where attention is needed."
Joshua Castellanos, Vice Chairman, Mango Creek Fishers Association
"Now there is friction among fishermen who have lobster trap, territories, disputes, there is life threatened, gun pointing, this is basically the problem that's happening down south. The overexploiting in our sea is very serious."
"If there is opportunity for these fishers not to get strictly on fishing, opportunities to get involved in ecotourism, or any aqua culture thing, I as a leader am willing to work with my fishers and try to make a change rather than just impacting the sea. Now for the cost of lobster and conch, I don't know who is supposed to look out for the benefit of fishermen for us to get a fair price, I guess that's supposed to be for fisheries department."
Ian Forte, President, Caye Caulker Fishers Association
"One of the things that a lot of these policy makers have not looked at is the social impact of conservation on coastal fishing communities. nobody has talked about how different policies they make affect this community, how the fishermen make their money, every time we have certain policies made, it's our livelihood that is being take away from us. We're not trying to stop conservation, we want to continue to be fishermen, we want to pass that on to our kids, but it has a social impact on our community."
"As the fishing community through this Belize, north and south, the length and breadth of this country, we have been disrespected over and over we have been disrespected."
And perhaps one of their biggest concerns is that of the Blue Bond, and the initiative to preserve 30% of marine space by 2030. While they say they agree with the concept, they believe they're not being properly consulted and as such can be negatively impacted.
Jorge Aldana, President, San Pedro Fishers Association
"I want to say that the fishermen, those who are here represented by some members of their respective associations, feel that if we are going in that direction, then we ought to be an active partner and have an active role around the table where discussions and policies are discussed. Why? Because anything that has to do with our ocean space impact the lives of almost 3,500 fishermen and by extent over 20,000 people who depend on this industry directly."
And now with this audit available for the public, this afternoon, the fishers presented it to the Fisheries Department.
Jorge Aldana, President, San Pedro Fishers Association
"We are meeting with the fisheries department at 2:00 this afternoon where we will official present them with the recommendation, they have had an opportunity to see it electronically but we will officially do the handing over to them this afternoon and we will identify where we can work, collaborate as fishers but the task is on all Belizeans. We need to be vigilant of the decision making process. I know there is a call from the fishermen to meet directly with the minister and there is a commitment by the minister that he's happy to entertain us in a meeting and we're looking forward to that and we will pitch these ideas to them."
