The Fisheries Department hereby clarifies misconceptions which may have arisen based on comments made during the public consultation on the Port of Belize Project held on Thursday, November 26, 2020.
Pursuant to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, the process for the Environmental Review of projects is clearly outlined. As a member of the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC), the Fisheries Department is obligated to follow the prescribed process. At the end of this process the Department is expected to present its considerations and position as it relates to its regulatory mandate and the fisheries sector. The Department continues its review of the EIA submitted on the project and consultation with experts and stakeholders related to its mandate and that of the newly established Ministry of the Blue Economy.
To date there is no decision on this project by the Fisheries Department and to suggest anything differently would be misleading. The Department’s position will subsequently be tabled at the NEAC meeting when convened to discuss this project.
END.
