MBE joins in webinar by OSPESCA to present ERCA for SICA

Belize: Andre Perez-Minister of Blue Economy & Civil Aviation, participated in a webinar organized by the Organization of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector of the Central American Isthmus (OSPESCA) on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, to present the Regional Strategy for Blue Growth (ERCA) for the Central American Integration System (SICA) nations.

Minister Perez presented the current initiatives undertaken by Belize under the newly established Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, as it relates to the development of Belize’s National Blue Economy. 

During the presentation, Minister Perez shared with participants the concept of Belize’s National Blue Economy Model and the key priorities for the Ministry. The Ministry is presently developing its five-year National Blue Economy Strategy and Plan.

Belize has fully embraced the regional strategy and will ensure that key objectives and actions are reflected in national policies and strategies developed and implemented.

The webinar was joined by representatives of the SICA Secretariat, the European Union, and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, fisheries and aquaculture institutions, and other key organizations and stakeholders.

What is ERCA?

The ERCA is a valuable tool that will guide the growth of a blue SICA region, which is a kind of sustainable approach to the evolution of the region’s blue resources focusing on the social, economic and environmental considerations.

The realization of the ERCA is an outcome of a process coordinated by OSPESCA with the assistance of the European-Union. It’s formulation also involved the cooperation of SICA and representatives of the fisheries, aquaculture and tourism divisions, as well as academia, amongst others.

The purpose of this regional initiative is to deliver sustainable management of living aquatic supplies and sustainable germination of provincial aquaculture to intensify food and nutrition safeguard through meeting strengthening regional and world request for fish, assistant poverty alleviation, and stimulate economic development in the country.

This programme also helps to stimulate expatiating inclusive and gender-sensitive evenhanded aquaculture and fisheries value chain and increasing the flexibility of farmers and fishers in accommodating to climate change consequences and coping with natural and socio-economic risks.