Functions of the Authority

(1) The Authority has the principal function, in consultation and co-operation with members of the Association and departments of government, of promoting and facilitating the sustainable of and ensuring compliance with the laws and regulations governing the aquaculture industry in Belize. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1), the Authority shall– (a) maintain up-to-date, macro-economic, production, technical, land and sea resource utilization statistics on the state of aquaculture in Belize; (b) issue, vary, suspend or revoke aquaculture operating licences in accordance with this Act or Regulations made thereunder; (c) develop and maintain institutional and other linkages between Government departments, the Association and other relevant agencies necessary for the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry; (d) maintain a library of technical and market information of potential value and benefit to the aquaculture industry in Belize; (e) establish priorities in respect of research related to aquaculture and arrange for the undertaking of such research; (f) consult and negotiate with foreign businesses with the objective of promoting Belize as a Aquaculture Development [CAP. 204:01 17 destination of foreign investment for the aquaculture industry; (g) consult and exchange information with local or foreign bodies having functions similar to the Authority’s functions; (h) collect, analyse and publish, on a periodic basis, information, statistics and data relevant to the aquaculture industry; (i) accept gifts, grants, bequests and devises made to it, with the prior written approval of the Minister, and act as trustee of money and other property vested in it on trust; (j) facilitate an exchange of views between persons having an interest in the aquaculture industry; (k) inquire into, and report to the Minister, matters referred to it by the Minister in relation to the aquaculture industry; (l) do or perform any other function conferred upon it by or under this Act or any other law, or anything incidental to, or consequential upon, the proper exercise of such functions.