Belize’s Fisheries Monitoring Center (FMC) was established in 2014 as part of a whole scale expansion of Belize’s enforcement capacity and falls within the mandate of the BHSFU. Its primary function is the monitoring, control, and surveillance of all Belize flagged fishing vessels that are operating on the high seas or within the jurisdictional area of other Coastal States.
The FMC is also responsible for our electronic catching reporting system.
Our main tool for the effective and efficient monitoring and surveillance of our vessels is our Fleet Information and E-Log System which is operated by Absolute Software Inc.
The role of the FMC is essential in helping to detect IUU activities and to enforce management measures for the long-term sustainability of the fisheries resources.
- Vessel Monitoring – The Fisheries Monitoring Center was created to facilitate the effective monitoring and control of our fishing fleet. Twenty four (24) hour monitoring is conducted through our Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) which is supported by Absolute Software. This system is also used together with the Global Fishing Watch platform to further strengthen our monitoring initiative.
- At-Sea observer program – This program is used to collect scientific data at sea of the vessel’s activities and its interaction with other non-harvested species.
- At-Port Inspection Program – The inspection program is used to collect landing data which is analyzed and compared to data received through other data collection programs. The inspection program also assists in ensuring compliance with relevant RFMO and domestic requirements.
