On Wednesday April 13th, Oceana Inc. completed the process of banning trawling in Belize as the organization paid for the last remaining two shrimp trawlers in the country. The boats were owned by Northern Fishermen Cooperative (NFC), one being constructed in 1972 and the other in 1983. The boats had been in operation in Belize up to about three years ago.
According to Northern Fishermen Cooperative Chairman, Ovel Leonardo, the boats had been bringing in the region of 750 thousand dollars a year to the cooperative but that has been constantly on the decline almost turning the use of the trawlers uneconomic. When the Government of Belize signed the statutory instrument in December of last year banning trawling in Belize, NFC was faced with the decision of what to do with the trawlers. Oceana then stepped up and conducted an international fundraiser to purchase the trawlers. As a result of the efforts 800 thousand dollars were raised; of these monies 650 thousand dollars was used to purchase the trawlers and 150 thousand dollars were given to NFC as a grant which the organization will use to offer micro-loans to its membership.
During the signing ceremony held at Young’s Law firm, Bill Lahey, Oceana’s Attorney; Audrey Matura-Shepard, Vice President Oceana-Belize; Ovel Leonardo, President of the NFC and Everisto Tun, Secretary of NFC signed both the bill of sale and the grant documents. The signing was witnessed by acting CEO in the Ministry of Fisheries, Errol Gentle; Fisheries Director, George Myvette, Rene Tun, Vice Chairman of the NFC, Alfredo Cob, member of the NFC, Belize Bank Representative Rudy Castillo; and the Managing Director of NFC Robert Usher.
Having purchased the vessels, Oceana is now accepting proposals from organizations, departments, NGO’s or any other non-profit organization on how the vessels could be used. These can be made to Oceana’s office for a decision to be made within the next six months.    Â
Â
Â
