Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires“Aquaculture” is defined as the propagation and rearing of aquatic organisms in controlled or selected aquatic environments for any commercial, recreational, or public purpose, including the capture of brood stock; “aquaculture product exporting business” means a business established or operating within the area of an aquaculture facility for the purpose of producing aquaculture products primarily for export or sale to buyers who are not residents of Belize, in respect of which the Minister has granted his Certificate pursuant to section 37(3); “aquaculture facility”– (a) means the land and any land or sea structure or any appurtenance thereto, that is used for aquaculture and is located in any part of Belize; (b) includes, but is not limited to, any laboratory, hatchery, rearing pond, raceway, cage, pen, incubator, or other equipment used in 8 “Association” means Belize Aquaculture Producers Association established under section 28: means the Belize established under section 4(1); “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Authority appointed under section 11; “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Board of the Authority appointed under section 12 (3); “Chief Executive Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority appointed under section 22; “Designated Area” means the land described in an Export Business Certificate in compliance with section 37(5); “Designated Officer” means an officer, employee or agent of the Authority designated by the Authority for the purposes of this Act; “director” means a director of the Authority; “effluent” means– (a) any aquatic waste, liquid waste or waste water, including the soluble and insoluble contents of such waste, produced or discharged from, or through, a production, operation or maintenance process which takes place at an aquaculture facility; (b) any liquid waste or waste water containing Human, animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution, including liquids containing chemicals in solution, produced or discharged from, or through a production, operation or maintenance process which takes places at an aquaculture facility; Aquaculture Development [CAP. 204:01 9 “environment” includes water, coasts, seas, air and land and the interrelationship which exists among and between water, air, and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organisms and property; “Export Business Certificate” means a certificate issued by the Minister under section 37(3) or 37(4); “functions” includes powers and duties; “importation” means the transportation into Belize from a place out of Belize, of any livestock, animal or anything connected with aquaculture; “land” means any place where aquaculture facilities are located; “livestock” means any aquatic species under cultivation; “Minister” means the Minister responsible for Foreign Trade; “occupier”, in relation to land or premises, means the person for the time being with the actual use, possession or control of the land or premises in connection with which the word is used; “operating licence” means an operating licence issued under section 35; “owner”, in relation to land or premises, means the person for the time being receiving the rent of the lands or premises in connection with which the word is used, whether on his own account or as agent or representative for any other person or who would so receive it if such land or premises were let at a rent; “person” means any natural person, and includes– (a) any institution of higher learning; (b) any incorporated or unincorporated entity; 10 (c) any partnership, association or other body of persons such as community development corporations, growers or producers cooperatives, organized or existing under the laws of Belize; “premises” includes structures, buildings, lands, easements, and properties; “sea” means any body of sea water on or in which aquaculture facilities are located or associated; “service and utility vehicle” means any vehicle or other means of transportation used exclusively for an aquaculture facility including tractors, forklifts, trucks, platform trucks but excluding all cars and sports utility vehicles; “sustainable in relation to development, means development which meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs.