Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management Act, 2025
Country
Type of law
Legislation
Abstract
The Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management Act, 2025 establishes the legal framework for the integrated management, sustainable use, and protection of Belize’s coastal and marine areas. The Act provides for the governance and coordination of coastal and ocean resources through national institutions, planning instruments, and management measures. Its objectives include promoting sustainable development of coastal and marine resources, strengthening ecosystem protection, supporting marine spatial planning, and facilitating coordination among public authorities and stakeholders involved in coastal and ocean management.
The Act establishes the Coastal Zone Management Authority as the central body responsible for implementing coastal and ocean management policies and coordinating national activities in the coastal zone. The Authority is governed by a Board of Directors and is mandated to develop rules, guidelines, and administrative measures necessary for the management of coastal and marine areas. The legislation also establishes the Coastal Zone Management Institute, which is responsible for research, technical analysis, and scientific support related to coastal and marine resource management.
The Act further creates a Coastal Zone Management Advisory Council to provide advice and facilitate coordination among government agencies, stakeholders, and relevant sectors. The legislation introduces planning instruments for integrated management, including the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan, which establishes principles and strategies for sustainable use and protection of coastal ecosystems. The Act also provides for the Belize Sustainable Ocean Plan as a planning tool to guide the spatial management and sustainable use of marine resources.
Additional provisions regulate financial management, reporting obligations, and institutional accountability mechanisms for the Authority and associated bodies. The Act provides for the development and maintenance of a national coastal and marine database to support information sharing, monitoring, and management decisions. It also establishes procedures for data collection, reporting, and public access to coastal zone information. Through these institutional, planning, and information mechanisms, the Act provides a regulatory framework for the integrated management of Belize’s coastal and ocean resources.
The Act establishes the Coastal Zone Management Authority as the central body responsible for implementing coastal and ocean management policies and coordinating national activities in the coastal zone. The Authority is governed by a Board of Directors and is mandated to develop rules, guidelines, and administrative measures necessary for the management of coastal and marine areas. The legislation also establishes the Coastal Zone Management Institute, which is responsible for research, technical analysis, and scientific support related to coastal and marine resource management.
The Act further creates a Coastal Zone Management Advisory Council to provide advice and facilitate coordination among government agencies, stakeholders, and relevant sectors. The legislation introduces planning instruments for integrated management, including the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan, which establishes principles and strategies for sustainable use and protection of coastal ecosystems. The Act also provides for the Belize Sustainable Ocean Plan as a planning tool to guide the spatial management and sustainable use of marine resources.
Additional provisions regulate financial management, reporting obligations, and institutional accountability mechanisms for the Authority and associated bodies. The Act provides for the development and maintenance of a national coastal and marine database to support information sharing, monitoring, and management decisions. It also establishes procedures for data collection, reporting, and public access to coastal zone information. Through these institutional, planning, and information mechanisms, the Act provides a regulatory framework for the integrated management of Belize’s coastal and ocean resources.
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Long title of text
An Act to repeal and replace the Coastal Zone Management Act, Chapter 329 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to increase the ambit and focus of the coastal and ocean governance through mechanisms such as integrated coastal zone management and marine spatial planning processes to align with international best practices; to provide for holistic integrated coastal and marine management including the impacts of human interactions; through effective management of ecosystems within the coastal zone and ocean zones to safeguard the integrity of critical ecosystems to enhance climate resilience; to promote equitable use of resources within the coastal zone and ocean zone of Belize; to facilitate and strengthen cross-sectoral coordination, science-based and participatory planning for informed decision-making; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Date of text
Repealed
No
Serial Imprint
Act No. 21 of 2025, National Assembly of Belize
Source language
English
Legislation Amendment
No