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BelizeBelize sells its flag to foreign companies seeking to escape fisheries regulation - hence the term, "flag of convenience". There are several pirate toothfish vessels using the Belize flag. In February 1999, Greenpeace found a Belize-flagged pirate called "Salvora" fishing in French waters around Kerguelen Island. The Spanish-owned vessel had already been arrested once by Australia. It's time for Belize to end its involvement with pirate fishing vessels.Contact the Belize government today
Sample Letter Russel Garcia I am extremely concerned about the uncontrolled pirate fishing for toothfish in the waters of the Southern Ocean. Many of the illegal vessels found fishing for toothfish in the Southern Ocean are flagged in Belize. Scientists estimate that at the current rate of fishing, the fishery would collapse within two years. In addition, many thousands of vulnerable species of seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, are dying on hooks intended to catch toothfish. The entire Southern Ocean ecosystem is at risk. Belize is one of the main flag-of-convenience countries known to provide easy registration for the vessels of companies seeking to avoid the tight regulations imposed by their home countries. I am shocked that this country provides an easy registration option for those who pay no heed to environmental considerations designed to protect the world's oceans and seas - in this case the fragile ocean around Antarctica. I demand that Belize end this association with pirate fishing and maintain a shipping register of which your nation can be proud. Sincerely,
Other Officials to Contact: Mr. Henry Young
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International Office Address: © Greenpeace International |