By Zoila Palma: The United Kingdom and Belize have renewed their commitment to sustainable ocean governance through a joint initiative aimed at strengthening community-led fisheries management
A team from the UK’s Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is currently working alongside the Belize Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation to engage directly with fishers and assess their experiences with the country’s Managed Access Committees (MACs). The collaboration seeks to reinforce the role of communities in safeguarding Belize’s marine resources.
The initiative supports Belize’s longstanding Managed Access programme, a national rights-based fisheries system first introduced in 2016 to shift the industry from open access to a territorial user-rights approach.
This model was designed to grow the local economy, enhance fisher livelihoods, and protect the Belize Barrier Reef System. MACs serve as a key component of this framework, enabling fishers to participate in decision-making and work closely with resource managers to promote sustainable practices.
Across the fishing sector, stakeholders have expressed strong support for reinstating MACs, underscoring the importance of inclusive representation in committees and greater involvement from youth, women, and individuals throughout the fisheries value chain.
Many fishers say the committees improve communication between communities and government agencies, helping ensure that local voices guide national policy decisions affecting the livelihoods of coastal families.
Acting British High Commissioner to Belize, Alistair White, emphasized the significance of the partnership, noting the UK’s commitment to bolstering ocean health, sustainable livelihoods, and climate resilience.
Representatives from the Belize Fisheries Department echoed these sentiments, highlighting how technical support from the MMO through the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) has helped revive and strengthen the Managed Access system. A second phase of engagement—focused on Northern and Central Belize—is scheduled between January and March.
As the project advances, partners continue to work closely with fishing communities to identify needs, reduce barriers to participation, and build capacity for long-term stewardship of marine resources.
The UK–Belize collaboration is being hailed as a model for community-driven fisheries management, combining technical expertise with local knowledge to protect biodiversity, support coastal economies, and ensure the resilience of Belize’s Barrier Reef System for generations to come.
The post UK and Belize deepen partnership to strengthen Community-led Fisheries Management appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The United Kingdom and Belize have renewed their commitment to sustainable ocean governance through a joint initiative aimed at strengthening community-led fisheries management A team from the UK’s Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is currently working alongside the Belize Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation to engage directly
The post UK and Belize deepen partnership to strengthen Community-led Fisheries Management appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
