Oceana in Belize today held discussions with a team from the Placencia Producers Cooperative Society Limited to finalize plans for the donation of Northern II to this southern fishing coop.
“It’s been an arduous process, but we have finally reached agreement in principle with the Placencia Coop to transfer this asset which will allow them to take their Seaweed Project to a new level. We are pleased to be able to make this donation to a worthy and sustainable cause within Belize,” stated Oceana VP Audrey Matura-Shepherd.
Chair Sydney Lopez Jr, Volunteers Shaz Davison & Secretary Leopold Leslie.
The Placencia Coop team included Chairman of the Management Committee Mr. Sydney Lopez Jr, Secretary Mr. Leopold Leslie, Operations Manager Mr. Justino Mendez and Peace Corps Volunteer Ms. Shaz Davison. “Transfer of this vessel could not be timelier as we enter a new phase in our Seaweed Project. We see other benefits accruing to our Members and Belize with the presence of the Northern II at our project site, so we are most appreciative for this donation,” commented Manager Mendez.
Plans are for the transfer of the steel-hulled former trawler Northern II to occur at a brief ceremony at the Placencia Coop Offices in Placencia before May is over. The Coop will pay the princely sum of $1.00 for the vessel, which will serve as an onsite platform for its Seaweed Project about to be expanded from its pilot stage. The vessel will also serve as an educational facility where the Placencia Coop will train both local and regional fishers on the commercial production of seaweed. This project forms part of the Coop’s diversification program, with the seaweed produced marketed both locally and abroad.
