Government Contacts & Information resources for Commercial Fishing, Seafood, Aquaculture, Marine & Oceans in Belize

Caribeña Producers Cooperative Society Ltd:
Executive Secretary: Mr. George Kumul
Main Products: Lobster, Conch, Whole and Filleted Fish, Shrimp
Tel: 501-226-2011
Fax: 501-226-2503
Email: caribena@belizefishermencoop.bz
Caribeña Street
P.O. Box 12
San Pedro Town,
Ambergris Caye,
Belize
 
National Fishermen Producers Cooperative Society Ltd:
Executive Secretary: Mrs. Barbara Bradley
Main Products: Lobster, Lobster meat, Conch, Fish Fillet, Shrimp
Tel: 501-227-3165/8039
Fax: 501-227-1300
Email: natfish@btl.net
or national@belizefishermencoop.bz
Angel Lane
Belize City, Belize

Placencia Producers Cooperative Society Ltd:
Chairman: Carlton Young
Main Products: Lobster, Conch, Whole and Filleted Fish, Shrimp
Tel / Fax: 501-523-3102
Point Placencia
Stann Creek District

Rio Grande Fishermen Co-operative Society Ltd:
Tel: 501-702-2715
Front Street
Punta Gorda Town
Toledo District, Belize

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Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Belize

To provide the country and people of Belize with the best possible management of its aquatic and fisheries resources, with a view to optimize the present and future benefits through efficient and sustainable management

The Fisheries Department is divided into four (4) units and several related projects as follows:

Capture Fisheries Unit

The Capture Fisheries Unit (CFU) is the arm of the Belize Fisheries Department responsible for providing the necessary legislative and management interventions to facilitate the continued development and proper management of Belize’s marine fisheries resources. In 2004, important resource assessment exercises were carried out on the lobster (Panulirus argus), conch (Strombus gigas), shrimp (Penaeus notalis ) and West Indian Topshell welk (Cittarium pica) populations in our Belizean waters

Aquaculture & Inland Fisheries Unit

Mission statement of the Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Unit (AQUIF) guides the overall mission for aquaculture development which reads as follows: “To guide the development of a competitive aquaculture industry while at the same time maintaining the viability of the environment and providing responsible stewardship for inland fisheries resources of the nation as well as the ecosystems that supports them, in order to provide sustainable benefits for Belizeans of present and future Generations”. AQUIF is responsible for the Conservation Compliance Unit (CCU) which is charged with patrolling our national waters ensuring that the fisheries laws of Belize are adhered to.

Ecosystems Management Unit

The Ecosystems Management Unit (EMU) of the Fisheries Department consists of management of the marine reserves, marine environmental assessments, CITES marine related matters and regional fisheries policy formulation. Ecosystems management, a new management paradigm, has shifted from specific species and site protection to the protection of entire ecosystems and the regulation of the activities within those systems. The Marine Reserves are Fisheries Management Tools (FMT) implemented by the Department to ensure sustainable fishing.

Administrator & support Unit

The Administration Unit is the support arm of the Department that is tasked with the responsibility of License Issuance, Revenue Collection, Human Resource, Accounts, Purchase, Stores and Security.

Fish found in Belize Waters:

Anchovies
Anglefish
Barracuda
Bonefish
Catfish
Clams
Conch
Crab
Crab, Stone
Crab, Blue
Crevalle, Jack
Fishmeal
Grouper
Grunt
Jacks
Jewfish
Kingfish
Lobster, Spiny
Mackerel, Spanish
Porgy
Queenfish
Rockfish
Sailfish
Sardines
Scallops
Shark
Shrimp
Snapper, Black
Snapper, Red
Snook
Sprat
Tarpon
Tuna, Albacore
Tuna, Blackfin
Tuna, Bluefish
Tuna, Bonito
Tuna, Yellowfin
Turtle
Wahoo
Yellowtail

Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission

The IATTC is responsible for the conservation and management of tuna and other marine resources in the eastern Pacific Ocean

Member Countries: Belize, European Union, Nicaragua, Canada, France, Panama, China, Guatemala, Peru, Colombia, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Costa Rica, Kiribati, United States, Ecuador, Korea, Vanuatu, El Salvador, Mexico, Venezuela, Cook Islands is a Cooperating Non Member.
The IATTC also has significant responsibilities for the implementation of the International Dolphin Conservation Program

Marine & Seafood Laws in Belize - No take information for coral and bonefish, closed trawling season for shrimp, minimum length and weight or conch and lobster, lobster season, turtle seasons and no take for turtle shell.
Complete Ban – Coral – All Parrotfish – Blue Tang – Surgeon Fish – Permit – Tarpon – Bone Fish – Marine Turtle (all species) -Whale Shark – All Marine Mamals – Diced Conch – Diced Lobster

Closed Seasons – Conch July 1st to Sept 30th – Lobster February 15th to June 14th – Nassau Grouper – December 1st to March 31 Wild Shrimp (trawler sources; farm shrimp is legal all year around) July 14 – March 14th – Hickatee May 1st to May 31st

Catch & size limits – Conch Shell Length > 7 inches Market Clean > 2.5oz – Lobster Cape Length > 3 inches Tail Weight 2.75 oz – Nassau Grouper Must be 20 – 30 inches only. Must be landed whole (no fillet)

Special Laws and Permits – All fishermen must have a valid license. You must be a Belizean Citizen or permanent resident in order to obtain a fisheries permit. Sea Cucumber requires a special permit. Fish Fillet must have skin patch left on 2 inch by 1 inch. No fishing while using artificial breathing devices (scuba gear or hookah) In Marine Protected areas several restrictions on fishing gear apply: no nets, no longlines, no traps. Belizelaw.org Chapter 2105

Fishery and Aquaculture Country Profile for Belize (FAO)
National Fishery Sector Overview - provides a comprehensive overview of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors for each country featured, including economic and demographic information, structure of the industry, development prospects, sector management and status and trends