Belize puts squeeze on pirate boats

Belize, the world's most notorious flag of convenience for pirate fishing boats, has decided to clean up its act.

A High Seas Fishing Act put before the country's cabinet yesterday will impose a strict regime on fishing boats, whose activities will be tracked by satellite. If they fish illegally they will be struck off the register.

In 2001 Belize was named as the worst offender in the world in allowing pirate boats, many of them from the EU, to operate under its flag. Illegal fishing poses a big threat to world fish stocks.

To avoid repercussions on its most lucrative industry, tourism, the Belize government has decided to clean up its image. A previous crackdown on cargo vessels by Belize resulted in a 50% drop in the number of vessels registered there being detained in ports for breaching safety standards.