Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697647096021.pdf (Belize)
No.

7] BELIZE: Fisheries Resources 83 FISHERIES RESOURCES ACT, 2020 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS PART I Preliminary 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Short title.

Interpretation.

Application of the Act.

Fisheries Department.

Appointment of officers.

PART II Objectives and Principles Objective of long-term sustainable use.

Principles and measures.

8.

Fisheries Council.

PART III Fisheries Council PART IV Fisheries Conservation, Management and Development 9.

Determination of total allowable level of fishing.


10.

Fishery management plans.

11.

Fishing priority areas.

12.

Species requiring special measures.

13.

Co-management.

84 Fisheries Resources [No.

7 PART V Fishery Areas, Marine and Inland Water Reserves 14.

Declaration of fishery areas and marine and inland water reserves.

15.

Offences and penalties within reserves.

16.

Consent of Minister required to conduct activities in reserves.

17.

Power to make regulations, orders, etc., for reserves.
18.

General offence and penalty.

PART VI Requirement for Licences and Conditions 19.

No fishing without a licence.

20.

Activities requiring a licence.

21.

Conditions of licences.

22.

Cancellation or suspension of fishing licence.

23.

Notice.

24.

Appeals against the decision of the Fisheries Administrator.

25.

Cancellation of licence upon conviction.

PART VII Cooperation and Fishing Access Agreements for fishing within the Belize Fisheries Waters 26.

Regional cooperation in fisheries.

27.


Fisheries Access Agreements.

28.

Foreign fishing vessel licences.

PART VIII Provisions Applicable to both Foreign and Local Fishing within the Belize fisheries waters 29.

No fishing without a licence.

30.

Validity of fishing licences.

No.

7] Fisheries Resources 85 31.

Conditions of fishing licences.

32.

Notice.

33.

Appeals from decision of Fisheries Administrator.

PART IX Fisheries Port Measures 34.


Fisheries port measures and powers to make regulations.

PART X Scientific Research, Test-Fishing Operations, etc.

35.

Scientific research operations related to fisheries.

36.

Regulations.

PART XI Prohibited Fishing Methods, Stowage of Gear, and Transshipment 37.

Prohibited fishing methods.

38.

Stowage of fishing gear.

39.

Transshipment.

PART XII Record of Fishing Vessels 40.

Record of fishing vessels authorized to fish in fisheries waters.
PART XIII Mariculture 41.

Mariculture operations.

42.

Offence and penalty.

86 Fisheries Resources [No.

7 PART XIV Monitoring, Control and Surveillance 43.

Powers of entry and search.

44.

Power to question persons and require production of documents.

45.

Powers of arrest.

46.

Power to give directions to master.

47.

Power to use reasonable force and to take copies of documents.

48.

Powers of seizure.

49.

Procedure on seizures.

50.

Requirements for seized property.

51.

General powers.


52.

Persons to assist Fisheries Officer.

53.

Protection of Fisheries Officer from liability.

54.

Removal of parts from seized vessels, etc.

55.

Observers.

56.

Duties towards Fisheries Officers and observers.

PART XV Jurisdiction and Evidence 57.

Liability for non-payment of penalties.

58.

Liability for loss, damage or costs incurred.

59.

Certificate of evidence.

60.

Certificate as to location of vessel.

61.

Validity and procedures for certificates.

62.


Photographic evidence.

No.

7] Fisheries Resources 87 63.

General presumptions.

64.

Presumption as to authority.

65.

Strict liability.

66.

Liability of Directors and Managers.

67.

Liability of principal for actions of agent in relation to records and returns.

68.

Liability of companies and persons for actions of officers and employees.

69.

Tampering with evidence.

70.

Liability of master of vessel.

71.


Forfeiture and suspension of fishing rights, licences, etc.

72.

Power of Fisheries Officers to undertake prosecutions.

73.

Damage to the marine ecosystem.

PART XVI Sale, Release and Forfeiture of Retained Property 74.

Forfeiture of property on conviction.

75.

Application of bond, etc.

76.

Removal of seized items.

77.

Disposal of forfeited items.

78.

Sale of perishable items.

79.

Liability for loss, damage or deterioration of items in custody.

80.
80.

Removal of item in custody.

81.

Release of seized items upon bond, etc.

82.

Failure to comply with conditions of bond.

83.

Release of seized items upon decision not to proceed, acquittal, and absence of for- feiture order.

84.

Arrest and detention of foreign fishing vessels.

88 Fisheries Resources [No.

7 PART XVII Summary Administrative Proceedings 85.

Decision to submit to summary administrative proceedings.

86.

Summary administrative proceedings.

87.

Regulations.
87.

Regulations.

PART XVIII Regulations PART XIX General 88.

Prohibition on fishing for scheduled species.

89.

Importation of fish taken, transported, etc., contrary to laws of another State.

90.

General offence and penalty.

91.

Conflict of laws.

92.

Power to delegate.

93.

Repeal and savings.

94.

Commencement.

SCHEDULE No.

7] Fisheries Resources 89 No.
7 of 2020 I assent, (SIR COLVILLE N. YOUNG) Governor-General 30th January, 2020 AN ACT to make provisions in accordance with international best practices for the management of aquatic and fisheries resources of Belize with an aim to optimize present and future benefits through long-term conservation, management, sustainable use and development within the fisheries waters of Belize; to provide for the effective regulation of the fishing industry; to provide for the management and regulation of mariculture; to repeal the Fisheries Act, Chapter 210 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(Gazetted 1st February, 2020).

BE IT ENACTED, by and with the advice and consent of the House of Representatives and Senate of Belize and by the authority of the same, as follows- PART I Preliminary Short title.

1.

This Act may be cited as the FISHERIES RESOURCES ACT, 2020.

Interpretation.
2.–In this Act – “alien species” means a species, subspecies or lower taxon, introduced to Belize, which is outside its natural past or present distribution, and includes any part, gametes, seeds, eggs, or propagules of the species, subspecies or lower taxon that might survive and subsequently reproduce; “bio-prospecting” means the research, collection and utilization of biological and genetic resources for purposes of applying the knowledge derived therefrom primarily for a commercial purpose; 90 Fisheries Resources [No.
7
(a) (b)
(c) (d) (e) (f)
(g) (h)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 91
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h)
(e) (f) (g) (h) (a)(d)
(a)(g) 92 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (i) (a)(h)
No.
7] (a) (b) Fisheries Resources 93
(a) (b)
(c)
94 Fisheries Resources [No.
7
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 95 (a) (b)
(c)
(d) (e)
96 Fisheries Resources [No.
7
Gazette
Objectives and Principles
(a) (i)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 97 (ii) (iii)
(iii)
(iv) (v)
(vi) (vii)
(vii) (viii)
(ix) (b)
(a) 98 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (b) (c) (d)
Fisheries Council (a)
(b) (c) (d) (e)
(f)
(f) (g) No.
7] Fisheries Resources 99 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)
(g) (h)
(i) (j) ex-officio Gazette
(f) (g)(h) or (i) (a)
(a) 100 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (b) (c)
Fisheries Conservation, Management and Development
and Development Gazette
(a) (b) (c)
(a) (b) (c)
(d)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 101 (e) (f) (g)
(h) (i)
(a) (b)
(c) Gazette (i)
(ii)
(iii) (ii)
102 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (a) (b)
(a) (b)
Gazette
Gazette
(a) (b) (c)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 103 (a) (b) (c)
(d)
Fishery Areas, Marine and Inland Water Reserves Gazette
(a) (b) (i) (ii) (iii)
(iv)
(v) 104 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (vi)
Gazette, (b)
(a)
(b)
(b) (c)
(d) (e)
(f) (g)
Gazette
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 105
(a) fishes, or attempts to fish; (b) takes or destroys any flora or fauna ; (c) dredges, extracts coral, sand or gravel, discharges or deposits waste or any other polluting matter, or in any way disturbs, alters or destroys the natural environment; (d) constructs or erects any buildings or other structures on or over any land or waters within such a reserve; or (e) commits any act or takes action which is in violation of this law or any other law relating to marine or inland water reserves.
(a) (a) (e)
(b) (b), (c)(d) (i)
(ii) 106 Fisheries Resources [No.
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(a) (i) (ii)
(i) (ii) (iii)
(iv) (v) (aa)
(bb) (cc) (b) (i) (ii)
(ii) (c) No.
7] Fisheries Resources 107
Requirement for Licences and Conditions
(a) (b) (c)
(c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j)
108 Fisheries Resources [No.
7
(a) (b)
(c)
(a)
(b) No.
7] Fisheries Resources 109 (c)
(d)
(a) (b)
Cooperation and Fishing Access Agreements for fishing within the Belize Fisheries Waters
110 Fisheries Resources [No.
7
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 111 (a) (b)
Provisions Applicable to Both Foreign and Local Fishing within the Belize fisheries waters
(a) (b) (c)
112 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (a) (b) (c)
(a) (b)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 113 Fisheries Port Measures
(a) (b) (c)
(d)
(e)
(e) (f) (i)
(ii)
(ii) (iii)
114 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (g)
(h) (i)
(a)
(b) (i) (ii) (iii)
(iv) (v)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 115
Scientific Research, Test-Fishing Operations, etc.
(a) (b) (c)
116 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (a) (i) (ii) (iii) (b) (c)
(c) (d) (e) Prohibited Fishing Methods, Stowage of Gear and Transhipment (a)
(a) (b)
(a)
(a) No.
7] Fisheries Resources 117
118 Fisheries Resources [No.
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Record of Fishing Vessels
Mariculture No.
7] Fisheries Resources 119
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g)
(h) (a) (b) (c) (d)
(a) (b) (c) (d)
120 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (a)
(b)
(c) (d) (a)
(b) (i) (ii)
(ii) (iii)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 121
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(a) (b)
122 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (c)
(c)
(a)
(b) No.
7] Fisheries Resources 123 (c)
(a) (b)
(a) (b) (c)
(d)
(e)
(e) 124 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (f)
(a)
(b)
(a) No.
7] Fisheries Resources 125 (b)
(a) (b) (c)
(a) (b)
126 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (a)
(a) (b)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 127
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i)
(e) (f) (g) (h) (i)
128 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (j) (a)
(b) (i)
(ii) (iii) (iv)
(iv) (v) (vi)
(vii) (viii)
(c) (d) No.
7] Fisheries Resources 129 (e)
(a) (b)
(c)
(a)
(b) 130 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (c)
(d) (e) (f) (g) (h)
No.
7] Liability for non-payment of penalities Fisheries Resources 131 Jurisdiction and Evidence
Liability for loss, damage or costs incurred.
(a)
(a) (b) (c)
(a) (b)
(c) (i)
(i) 132 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (ii) (iii) (d)
(d) (e) (f)
(f) (g) (h)
(h) (i) (j)
(j) (k) (l)
(l)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 133 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
(d) (f)
prima facie
134 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (a) (b)
(a) (b) (c)
(d) (a) (e) (f)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 135 prima facie Prima facie
(a) (b)
(a) (b)
136 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (a) (b) (i) (ii)
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(c) (d)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 137 (a)
(b) (c)
(d)
(e)
(e)
138 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (a) (b) (c)
(d)
(e)
(a) (b)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 139
Sale,
Sale, Release and Forfeiture of Retained Property
(a)
(b)
140 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (c) (d)
(a)
(b) (c) (d)
(a) (b) (c)
(a) No.
7] Fisheries Resources 141 (b) (c)
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
(e) (i) (ii)
142 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (a) (b
(b
bona
bona fide
(a) (b)
(c)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 143
(a)
(a)
(b)
144 Fisheries Resources [No.
7
(a) (b)
(c)
(c)
(a) (b) (c)
(d)
(e)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 145 (f)
(a) (b) (c)
146 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 Summary Administrative Proceedings
(a) (b)
(a)
(b)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 147 (a)
(b)
(c)
148 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 Regulations
(a)
(a)
(b) (c)
(d)
(e) (f) (g)
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 149 (h) (i)
(j) (k) (l) (m) (n)
(o)
(p) (i) (ii)
(ii) (iii) (iv) (q) (r) (s)
(r) (s) 150 Fisheries Resources [No.
7 (t) (u) (i) (ii)
(i) (ii) (iii) (v)
(w) (x) (y) (z)
General Gazette
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 151
(a) (b)
152 Fisheries Resources [No.
7
Gazette.
No.
7] Fisheries Resources 153 ection 88 Rhincodon typus inglymostoma cirratum Pristis perotteti Pristis pectinate
Pristis pectinate Chelonia mydas Eretmochelys imbricata Caretta caretta Dermochelys coriacea
Tursiops truncatus Stenella frontalis - Steno bredanensis Stenella longirostris Trichechus manatus