Fisheries Resources (Stone Crab) Regulations (S.I. No. 108 of 2022)

Fisheries Resources BELIZE: FISHERIES RESOURCES (STONE CRAB) REGULATIONS, 2022 ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS 1. Citation. 2, Interpretation. 3. Stone Crab Fishing Licence. 4. Export Licence 5. Authorization. 6. Closed season. 7. Restriction on stone crab fishing. 8. General penalty. SCHEDULE No. 108] Fisheries Resources BELIZE: STATUTORY INSTRUMENT No. 108 of 2022 REGULATIONS made by the Minister responsibie for fisheries in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by section 17 of the Fisheries Resources Act, Chapter 210 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; and all power thereunto him enabling. (Gazetted 16" July, 2022) 1. These Regulations may be cited as the FISHERIES RESOURCES (STONE CRAB) REGULATIONS, 2022. 2. In these Regulations “stone crab’ means the crab Menippe mercenaria; “claw” means the largest claw; “propodus length” mean the larger immovable part of the claw measured from the base of the propodus (at the joint of the elbow) to the outer tip of the propodus. 3.-(1) A person who intends to fish for stone crab shall apply to the Fisheries Administrator for a Stone Crab Fishing Licence in the form set out as Form 1 in the Schedule. (2) An application made under sub-regulation (1) shall be accompanied by Citation. Interpretation. Stone Crab Fishing Licence. Schedule. Fisheries Resources [No. 108 Schedule. Export Licence. Schedule. (a) a fee of $100.00; (b) evidence of possession of a valid fisherman’s licence, if applicable; (c) evidence of fishing vessel licence, if applicable; and (d) any other information or documentation re quired by the Fisheries Administrator for the purpose of considering the application. (3)A Stone Crab Fishing License shall be issued in the form set out as Form 2 in the Schedule and shall be valid for one year. (4) A Stone Crab Fishing License may be valid for the person whom name it is issued in and two additional persons, provided that the additional persons possess a valid commercial fishing license and fish from the same vessel as the license holder. 4.-(1) A person who intends to export stone crab ciaws shall apply to the Fisheries Administrator for an Export Licence in the form set out as Form 3 in the Schedule. (2)An application under sub-regulation 2 shall be accompanied by (a) afee of $300.00; and (b) any other documentation required by the Fisheries Administrator for the purpose of considering the application. (3) An Export Licence shall be issued in the form set out as Form 4 of the Schedule and shall be valid for one year. No. 108] Fisheries Resources 5.-(1) A person who intends to fish for stone crab using a trap shall apply to the Fisheries Administrator for authorization using Form 5 of the Schedule. (2) An application under sub-regulation (1) shall be accompanied by— {a} evidence of possession of licence, if applicable. awn a va (b) evidence of fishing vessel licence, if applicable; (c) design of the trap; (d) the type of materials from which the trap is made; (e) any other information or documentation required by the Fisheries Administrator for the purpose of considering the application. (3)The Fisheries Administrator may issue an Authorization in the form set out as Form 6 of the Schedule. (4) No person authorized to take stone crab using a plastic trap shall take stone crab unless the trap has (a) am escape gap or apertures of not less than 2 3/8 inches along one side of the trap, other than the mouth; and (b) a biodegradable panel. (5)An authorization is valid for one year but may be subject to renewal on application. (6) The Fisheries Administrator may suspend or revoke the authorization at any time where the applicant has contravened these Regulations. Authorization. Fisheries Resources [No. 108 Closed season. Restrictions on stone crab (7) An authorization issued under sub-regulation (1) shall specify the number of traps allowed (a) per fisher; (b) per fishing vessel; and 6.-(1) No person shall fish, sell, display, offer for sale, buy or have in his possession any stone crab during the period Ist July to 30th September. (2) Notwithstanding sub-regulation (1), a person licensed to fish for stone crab may set a trap in the fisheries waters of Belize from the 15th of September, but is not allowed to harvest any crab. (3) Notwithstanding sub-regulation (2), no person shall have any trap deployed immediately after the closure of the stone crab fishing season. 7.-(1) No person shall retain on board, tranship, store, sell, display, offer for sale, buy or have in his possession (a) claws with a propodus length of less than 3 inches; and (b) the carapace or body of a stone crab. (2) Any person who catches a stone crab shall release it into the sea immediately after the claw has been removed in the area it was caught. (3) No person shall use any device for taking stone crabs that can puncture, crush or injure the body of a stone crab. No. 108] Fisheries Resources (4) No person shall fish for stone crab unless equipped with a ruler or calliper on-board the vessel. 8. A person who contravenes these Regulations commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to (a) a fine not less than one thousand dollars but not more than five thousand doliars; (b) imprisonment for a term not less than six months but not more than one year; or (c) both a fine and term of imprisonment. General penalty. 6 Fisheries Resources [No. 108 SCHEDULE [regulation 3(1)] FORM 1 APPLICATION FOR STONE CRAB FISHING LICENCE To: Fisheries Administrator Date of Application: Name of Applicant: Date of Birth: Nationality: Permanent Address: Fishing Area: Signature of Applicant: For Official Use Only RCR Number: Approved by: Date of Application: Date of Issuance: Date of Expiry: No. 108] Fisheries Resources FORM 2 [regulation 3(3)] STONE CRAB FISHING LICENCE ISSUED BY THE BELIZE FISHERIES DEPARTMENT Licence No. ............... This licence 18 18SUCC tO .... ccc cece ccceenveeseveneeveeeeectseaeenstneeeeueenenes (full name) (holder of Fisherman Licence No. .................. valid until .................. ) rrr eer ene entre n nnn nen (address) under the provision of the Fisheries Act made thereunder. This licence is not transferable and takes effect from the date of issue and remains in force unless cancelled. Fee Paid .............0.. Receipt No. ............ (Licensing Officer’s signature and Office Stamp) PHOTOGRAPH Fisheries Resources [No. 108 FORM 3 [regulation 4(1)] APPLICATION FOR STONE CRAB EXPORT LICENCE To: Fisheries Administrator Date of Application: Name of Applicant: Date of Birth: Nationality: Permanent Address: Fishing Area: Signature of Applicant: Approved by: For Official Use Only RCR Number: Date of Application: Date of Issuance: Date of Expiry: No. 108] Fisheries Resources FORM 4 [regulation 4(4)] STONE CRAB EXPORT LICENCE ISSUED BY THE BELIZE FISHERIES DEPARTMENT Licence No. ...........0005 Tis LICENCE 1S ISSUET 10 oo... eee eck cece cece c eee eeeceueueeeuesvuueueeseeneeuaueeees (full name) (holder of Fisherman Licence No. .................. valid until 0.0.0.0... ) OF ccc cece e eee ee een e eens ese e eee e nsec ene en ens eb sees EAE see bE eu EE eH ED (address) under the provision of the Fisheries Act made thereunder. This licence is not transferable and takes effect from the date of issue and remains in force unless cancelled. Fee Paid .............0., Receipt No. ............ (Licensing Officer’s signature and Office Stamp) Note: this licence may be subject to conditions attached by the Fisheries Administrator PHOTOGRAPH 10 Fisheries Resources [No. 108 FORM 5 [regulation 5(1)] APPLICATION FOR AUTHORIZATION TO TAKE STONE CRAB BY USE OF TRAPS OR POSSESSION OF TRAPS Belize Fisheries Department To: Fisheries Administrator Date of Application: Name of Applicant: Date of Birth: Nationality: Permanent Address: Fishing Area: Number of Traps: Type of materials used to make trap and Make of Trap: ATTACHMENTS:(1)evidence of possession of valid fisherman's licence [J (2) evidence of possession of valid fishing vessel licence oO (3)design of trap Cj NB: It is an offence to give false or misleading information. Signature of Applicant Fishing Licence # No. 108] Fisheries Resources Il FORM 6 [regulation 5(3)] FORM OF AUTHORIZATION - TRAPS ISSUED BY THE BELIZE FISHEREIS DEPARTMENT Date of Authorisation: Name of Trap Owner: Fisherman Licence Number: Permanent Address: Fishing Area: Number of Traps per Fishing Area: Number of Traps per Fisher: Number of Traps per vessel: Type and Make of Traps: Signature of Officer Official Stamp 12 Fisheries Resources [No. 108 — MADE by the Minister responsible for fisheries this11th day of July, 2022. Minister of the Blue Economy & Civil Aviation (Minister responsible for fisheries) ig ABNER PEREZ) Printed in Belize by the Government Printer #1 Power Lane, Belmopan