National Protected Areas System Act, 2015. Country/Territory Belize Document type Legislation Date 2015 Source FAO, FAOLEX Long titleAn Act to provide for the maintenance of coordinated management of a system of protected areas that is representative of internationally agreed categories, effectively managed, ecologically based, consistent with international law, and based on best available scientific information and the principles of sustainable development for the economic, social and environmental benefit of present and future generations of Belize; to repeal the National Parks System Act, Chapter 215 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; to amend the Fisheries Act, Chapter 210 and the Forests Act, Chapter 213 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Subject Environment gen., Fisheries, Forestry, Water, Wild species & ecosystems Keyword Ecosystem preservation Climate change Inland fisheries Marine fisheries Stock enhancement/repopulation Fishing authorization Fishery management and conservation Authorization/permit Forestry protection measures Protected area Forest management/forest conservation Sustainable development Sustainable use Freshwater pollution Pollution control Basic legislation Biodiversity Institution Policy/planning National parks Protection of environment Community management Marine protected areas Protection of habitats Wetlands Non-governmental entity Contract/agreement Hunting authorization/permit Enforcement/compliance Offences/penalties Endangered species Protection of species Geographical area Americas, Central America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Small Island Developing States Abstract This Act concerns establishment and management of protected areas in Belize. All protected areas are established collectively as the National Protected Areas System. Protected areas shall be classified as follows: (a) national park; (b) nature reserve; (c) wildlife sanctuary 1; (d) wildlife sanctuary 2; (e) natural monument; (f) forest reserve; (g) marine reserve; (h) archaeological reserve; (i) private protected area; (j) protected landscape or protected seascape; (k) spawning aggregation site; (l) special management area; (m) scenic landscape of geomorphic significance. They may be stablished under the Fisheries Act or the Forestry Act. The main objective of the Act is to promote long-term conservation, management, and sustainable use of Belize’s protected areas, but it also seeks to ensure maintenance of genetic diversity and the diversity of species and habitats. Full text English References - Legislation Amends Forests Act. Legislation | Belize | 1927 (2017) Keyword: Basic legislation, Forest management/forest conservation, Forestry protection measures, Protection forest, Offences/penalties, Grazing, Protected area Source: FAO, FAOLEX Fisheries Act (Chapter 210). Legislation | Belize | 1948 (1989) Keyword: Basic legislation, Fishery management and conservation, Marine fisheries, Inland fisheries, Enforcement/compliance, Research, Fishing gear/fishing method, Offences/penalties, Fishing authorization, Authorization/permit, Protected area, Protection of habitats, Protection of species Source: FAO, FAOLEX Repeals National Parks System Act 1981. Legislation | Belize | 1981 Keyword: Basic legislation, Biodiversity, Protected area, National parks Source: FAO, FAOLEX