As in almost every country in the world, Belizean fishermen had begun to observe drastic changes in their catches. The fishing activity in Belize represents an important revenue to the country, generating a reported 29 million USD in 2012 and providing employments to approximately 2,800 fishers. More than 15,000 Belizeans directly benefit from fishing activities. Belize had already implemented measures that had prevented the depletion of fisheries that its neighbors had experienced (by establishing a marine reserve network and implementing size limits, closed seasons and gear restrictions). But as an open access fishery, there was still a risk of overfishing that threatened fishers’ livelihoods, exports, and the industry due to the uncontrolled growth in the number of fishermen. Concerns for Belize’s fisheries’ future and food safety, rose rapidly and new solutions were sought.
The scoping process for the implementation of a rights based system started in 2009. July of 2011 then marked a turning point in the history of fisheries management in Belize, as the Belize Fisheries Department (BFD) in partnership with Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) pioneered at two of its marine reserves (Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve & Port Honduras Marine Reserve) the implementation of this rights-based approach to fisheries management which was then called Managed Access. MAR Fellow Seleem Chan contributed in the piloting of Managed Access at the Port Honduras Marine Reserve. The same year, MAR Fellow Nicanor Requena, from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), proposed the expansion of the system to other MPAs as his MAR Leadership project proposal.
The Managed Access program was designed to empower traditional fishers by ensuring greater participation in the decision-making process which impacts their livelihood, and by improving the benefits to be derived from the fish stocks in terms of increased fish landings and reduction in fishing effort. In the long term this will contribute to the maintenance of the overall health and sustainability of the Mesoamerican Reef system.
Fishermen onboard one of Belize’s traditionnal sailing boat. Photo: Belize Fisheries Department.
In 2012, Adriel Castañeda, working at the Belize Fisheries Department with the Managed Access piloting since 2010, joined the MAR L program with the idea of empowering fishermen with tools and knowledge in order to transform them into informed stewards of their resources which they depend upon for their livelihoods. His vision was that in order to achieve sustainable fisheries in Belize, fishers had to become a central part its management.
After much success with the pilot sites, the government made the decision to roll out Managed Access at a National level. Key to the success of Managed Access are several components which include, but are not limited to: improvements in the licensing/registry system and process; a good monitoring and fishery dependent catch data collection program; a dedicated presence of enforcement personnel and use of new enforcement technologies; and most importantly, the greater active involvement of fishers themselves in the program via fishing area based committees. All of which, coupled with an extensive social marketing campaign and consultation process has yielded significant success and benefits for the resource as well as the stakeholders. After much work with stakeholders the program eventually metamorphosed, and five years after the implementation at the pilot sites, the positive results and extensive consultation process triggered the expansion of the program beyond just the initial proposal to roll out to the marine reserve network.
Managed Access fishing areas or TURFs map for the national roll out of the program.
In June of 2016, Managed Access was rolled out to the entire territorial waters of Belize and it now secures tenure for fishermen to fish in designated fishing areas called TURFs (Territorial User Rights for Fishing). In the process of the national expansion of Managed Access, The Belize Fisheries Department Managed Access Task Force evolved into the Managed Access Working Group (MAWG), which now incorporates a broader array of stakeholders. The establishment of the MAWG was realized in order to have a better participatory intervention of both stakeholders and technical capacities that would better guide the expansion under an ecosystems based approach.
“This was a major accomplishment. It is the work of member organizations of the Belize Managed Access Working Group. I am energized by this and will continue to work on getting successful implementation in Belize with the hope that we can share what we have done in Belize with others in the region… From my perspective the MAR Leadership program has contributed to this work by fostering and improving the networking among key partners both at local and regional level and has been a very good platform through which our experience can be shared” said Nicanor.
“Sustainable Fishing for our Future”: Managed Access is made possible by the collaboration between several organizations and the fishermen involvement. Photo: Managed Access.
Managed Access complements several conservation and management efforts in Belize, it sees an active partnership and great collaboration between several organizations within wich several MAR Fellows have been or are presently involved such as: Adriel Castañeda and Isabel Martinez from BFD, Ralna Lewis and Julio Maaz from WCS, Kirah Foreman from Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Joel Verde from Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD), Tanya Barona from TIDE and Nicanor Requena from EDF. These collaborations pool together technical, human, and financial resources. A growing number of local and regional actors are taking an active role in supporting the overall project or key components; these currently include UNDP GEF SGP (where 2012 MAR Fellow Leonel Requena is Country Director), MAR Fund (where 2011 MAR Fellow Angeline Valentine is Country Director), Central America Fisheries and Aquaculture Organization (OSPESCA) and Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT). Additionally, both Oak and Summit Foundations have been crucial in providing financial support for Managed Access since its inception.
MAR Fellows Adriel Castañeda, Nicanor Requena and Julio Maaz presenting Managed Access program on TV. Photo: Managed Access.
After over a year of national implementation, and almost a decade of planning and consultation work, the Managed Access model of Belize is considered an innovative fisheries management approach and is causing interest from other countries where artisanal fisheries represent an important source of employment and food. As a result several regional and international knowledge exchanges have taken place.
At the end of 2016 an exchange of experiences took place when 2016 MAR Fellow Isabel Martinez, who is the Managed Access Liaison Officersince 2013, was invited to La Ceiba by 2016 MAR Fellow Diana Vasquez, from the Center for Marine Studies (CEM in Spanish) in Honduras to present the successful case study of Managed Access as an initiative that can be replicated in Honduras. Other Fellows, from other institutions of Honduras also participated in this meeting.
Centre for Marine Studies team and partners during Managed Access presentation by Isabel Martinez.
In June 2017, the CEM, (where Fellows Diana Vazquez, Mayra Nunez and Mariela Ochoa work), and the Smithsonian Marine Conservation Program (SI), officially launched the project “Improving the Management and Control of Small Scale Fisheries: Supporting the Expansion of Marine Reserves”.
This project seeks to strengthen the registration of the artisanal fishing sector, by means of digital technology, and to monitor the landings of species of commercial interest. It will ensure the effective protection of the marine resources and identify long term financing mechanisms in order to expand replenishment zones for marine resources recovery. The project will work closely with Belize authorities. Honduras is seeking to design large, comprehensive, marine reserves in the Bay of Honduras. The cooperation will also strengthen the fisheries monitoring for an adequate management in both countries. CEM, SI and Wildlife Conservation Society-Belize (with Fellow Julio Maaz), will coordinate this project for both countries and have received funding from the organization Oceans 5.
But Belize’s experience is not just calling the attention of its neighbors: the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, Environment and Sustainable Development, the Belize Fisheries Department, fishers representatives and partners from Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) were invited to the United Nations Oceans Conference, held during the week of World Oceans Day, at UN Headquarters in New York. Fellows Isabel Martinez, Nicanor Requena and Adriel Castañeda participated in the organization of the Belize side event called “Belize’s Model for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries: A Partnership Success Story.” This discussion highlighted the partnerships, policy and governance innovations in Belize that are protecting the Mesoamerican Reef, while ensuring sustainable fisheries. Belize was the only country to have active fishers on its panel.
Managed Access program presentation at UN World’s Ocean Conference. Photo: Belize Fisheries Department.
Belize’s experience with sustainable small-scale fisheries demonstrates how collaborative and ecosystem based fisheries management is an important strategy for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 and implementing Small Scale Fisheries Guidelines of UN Food and Agriculture Organization. In Belize and other Small Island Developing States, fisheries continue to play an important role in development, food security, social equity, and poverty alleviation. A Blue Economy that encompasses sustainable fisheries will guarantee the permanence of many countries’ natural capital and will be the foundation for the sustainable development of communities.
Through protection of the Mesoamerican Reef, Belize is securing its future.