By Zoila Palma: The Government of Belize has launched a project aimed at supporting the country’s implementation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies Agreement (FSA), with financial support from the WTO’s Fisheries Funding Mechanism (Fish Fund).
The initiative is being led by the Ministry of Blue Economy & Marine Conservation (MBEMC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT) and the Ministry of Economic Transformation (MET).
The project was formally launched on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in Belize City, bringing together government representatives, fisheries stakeholders and development partners. The launch provided an opportunity to outline the project’s objectives and expected results, while emphasizing the need for coordinated national action to strengthen the legal, institutional and administrative arrangements required to effectively implement the WTO-FSA.
The WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement establishes new international disciplines aimed at addressing harmful fisheries subsidies, including prohibitions related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Implementation is particularly important for Belize, where fisheries contribute to livelihoods, food security, exports and the well-being of coastal communities, while healthy marine resources remain essential to the country’s Blue Economy.
Through approximately US$300,000 in support from the WTO Fish Fund, the project will assist Belize in reviewing and strengthening its fisheries-related legal and regulatory framework, institutional coordination and monitoring systems. It will also promote greater transparency and help ensure that fisheries-related public support is administered consistently with sustainable fisheries management practices and Belize’s international obligations.
Implementation will be coordinated by the MBEMC in collaboration with the Belize Fisheries Department, Belize High Seas Fisheries Unit, Directorate General for Foreign Trade, relevant government ministries and agencies, fishing cooperatives and other national stakeholders.
The Government says the initiative will strengthen national capacity and ownership while supporting responsible fisheries governance, marine conservation, sustainable livelihoods and long-term economic resilience, helping safeguard Belize’s marine resources for present and future generations.
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By Zoila Palma: The Government of Belize has launched a project aimed at supporting the country’s implementation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Fisheries Subsidies Agreement (FSA), with financial support from the WTO’s Fisheries Funding Mechanism (Fish Fund). The initiative is being led by the Ministry of Blue Economy & Marine Conservation (MBEMC), in collaboration
The post Belize launches WTO Fisheries Subsidies agreement implementation project appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.