Before carrying out fishing operations under the Belize flag, the vessel must first be registered with The International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMARBE) and shall be carried out in accordance with relevant registration requirements. These requirements can be obtained directly from IMMARBE. immarbe@btl.net or visit their website at (www.immarbe.com)
Prior to the registration of a fishing vessel, the BHSFU shall provide approval of its ability to license the vessel once it is registered. As a result, research and evaluation of the vessel are carried out.
For verifying any engagement in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing or related activities in support of such fishing or fishing vessel, a fishing vessel:
- Must not at any time be on the IUU fishing vessel list of any regional fisheries management organization or arrangement.
- Must not have committed any illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing or related activity in support of such fishing;
- Must not have been owned by an operator or beneficial owner who is known to have another vessel on the IUU fishing vessel list of any regional fisheries management organization or body;
- Must not have been operating or have previously operated in a manner inconsistent with any obligations or requirements of international conservation and management measures.
- Must not be under any legal proceedings, flag disputes, or international scrutiny.
