Taiwan donates satellite equipment for fisheries safety to Belize

The Ministry of the Blue Economy has received satellite equipment and a tracking monitoring system, thanks to the generosity of the Taiwan Government. It falls part of the project called “Integration of the Value Chain in Fisheries and Aquaculture, which was approved at the 17th Cooperation Commission between the countries of Central America and Taiwan back in March 2019. The equipment, which includes 177 satellite monitoring and tracking equipment units, was handed over yesterday to Minister Abner Andre Perez, who spoke at the ceremony.

Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation: “Now these equipment which are acquired through the project entitled Integration of the Value Chain in Fisheries and Aquaculture comes to us through financial support of our good friend the Republic of China Taiwan. We are happy and fortunate to be one of the three beneficiary countries in this project which also includes Guatemala and Honduras. The vessel monitoring system will be piloted in small scale fishing vessels in Belize. So kindly allow me to say that our Ministry of Blue Economy aims to secure the sustainable use of Belize’s ocean space and enhancing the socioeconomic benefits for our Belizean people while minimizing ecosystem degradation. We have commenced implementation of our country’s National Blue Economy strategy and are already investing the necessary resources and leadership to ensure the sustainable use and conservation of the marine resources especially for the two primary fisheries commodities of Belize spiny lobster and queen conch. This equipment is both timely and helpful. The use of this satellite equipment will not only improve the safety of fishers at sea but will also help us to ensure the traceability of the fishing resources. This translates into improved management and conservation of our fishery resources which more than 3,200 fishers and their families depend on.”

Ambassador of Taiwan to Belize, David Kuan-Chou Chien and SICA OSPECA’s Regional Director, Jose Infante also delivered remarks during yesterday’s program. They both reiterated their organisations’ support for endeavours such as this one.