In July of this year, a pilot Managed Access License Regime was launched in the Port Honduras and Glovers Reef Marine Reserves in southern Belize. The Port Honduras Marine Reserve’s Community Manage Access Committee met to discuss the implementation of this pilot project in PHMR. Reports were shared on the number of fishers that received a license and those that have been following up with a major requirement of submitting their ‘catch’ data to the Fisheries Department. The committee would like to commend the fishers who submit their data regularly. We take this opportunity to remind commercial fishers who have traditionally used PHMR that licensing for 2012 begins today, on December 19 2011 at the Fisheries Department in Punta Gorda Town. When applying for the license, you will be required to present a means of identification, a utility bill as a means of proof of residence and your Commercial Fisher Folk License.

The Managed Access Committee also reminds fishers of the importance of submitting 100% of catch data from within the boundaries of the Port Honduras Marine Reserve. A very important Managed Access Fishers meeting which will be held on February 16, 2012 to discuss the implementation of the pilot project.