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Thursday, 25 June 2015 22:59

First Fisherman’s Day in Belize Featured

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Belize City, Belize 24 June 2015 (CRFM)--For the first time in Belize, local and regional fisheries sector organizations have gotten together with the Belize Fisheries Department and fishers to host a series of events to commemorate Fisherman’s Day and to acknowledge Belizean fishers for their economic, social and cultural contributions to the nation.

Throughout the Wider Caribbean region, June 29 is recognized as Caribbean Fisherfolk Day, coinciding with the annual observance of International Fisherman’s Day by many nations and organizations concerned with fisheries. The day is being marked this year in the Caribbean under the theme: “The Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy: breaking the cycle of poverty in fishing communities.” With support from the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), a series of events have been planned to mark the observance in Belize next week.

On Sunday, 28 June, a church service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Central Assembly of God. Blessing of the Boats will take place at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, 29 June at the Commercial Center in Belize City. At 9:00 a.m. that same day, an official ceremony to mark Caribbean Fisherfolk Day and to present the Punta Fuego Outstanding Fisher Award will take place at the Coastal Zone Training Room, at the Fisheries Department compound on Princess Margaret Drive in Belize City. On the occasion, various organizations are expected to make presentations of tokens of appreciation to fishers at various landing sites and cooperatives around Belize City.

Fisherfolk organizations have been encouraged to also host events in coastal communities around Belize, in keeping with this year’s theme, as we celebrate the hardworking men and women of Belize’s fisheries sector who are at the heart of the recently adopted Caribbean Community Common Fisheries Policy (CCCFP).

The CCCFP is a roadmap which Caribbean countries believe can help them enhance the income, status and capacities of fisherfolk; thus, enabling them to sustainably provide for themselves and their family members. By stimulating fisheries production, the Common Fisheries Policy can contribute to social protection in fishing communities, which would improve income stability and the ability to manage risk, thus contributing to reducing poverty and food insecurity in the long-term. Social protection exists where governments develop policies and programmes to address economic, environmental and social vulnerabilities to food insecurity and poverty.

Fisherman’s Day 2015 is an occasion to focus the region’s attention on the crucial role that the CCCFP can play in eradicating hunger and poverty.

 

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