UK and Belize Deepen Fisheries Partnership to Protect Marine Resources

Belize is strengthening community-based fisheries governance through a new phase of collaboration with the United Kingdom, aimed at protecting marine ecosystems while supporting the livelihoods of local fishers.  According to a release from the British High Commission Belmopan, technical experts from the UK’s Marine Management Organisation are working closely with the Belize Fisheries Department within the Ministry of Blue Economy & Marine Conservation to engage fishing communities and gather feedback on the reinstatement of Managed Access Committees (MACs).  The engagement falls under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme and focuses on strengthening Belize’s Managed Access Programme, a community rights-based system rolled out nationally in 2016 to transition fisheries from open access to territorial user rights. MACs are a central feature of that system, designed to give fishers a formal role in stewardship, decision-making, and communication with government regulators.  Belizean fisheries stakeholders have welcomed the move, highlighting the value of inclusive representation, particularly for youth, women, and participants across the wider fisheries supply chain, and noting that MACs improve dialogue between coastal communities and authorities. The initiative also supports national efforts to safeguard the Belize Barrier Reef System while growing a resilient Blue Economy.  Acting British High Commissioner to Belize, Alistair White, said the UK’s support aligns with shared priorities for ocean health, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods, adding that empowering local communities is key to long-term marine protection.  From the Belize side, Fisheries Officer Isabel Martinez explained that, with MMO assistance through OCPP, Belize completed an independent evaluation of the Managed Access Programme and is now advancing a Sustainable Blue Economies project to re-establish and operationalise the committees. She noted that the partnership has helped turn evaluation findings into concrete action by strengthening community participation in fisheries governance.  MMO Integrated Marine Manager Joseph Peters described the engagement as a significant step forward, emphasising the importance of understanding local needs and removing barriers to effective participation in MACs.  A second phase of community consultations is scheduled for January to March 2026, targeting fishing communities in Northern and Central Belize. Officials say the ongoing UK–Belize collaboration sets a strong example of inclusive, community-driven fisheries management, aimed at protecting marine biodiversity, strengthening coastal livelihoods, and ensuring the long-term resilience of Belize’s marine resources.