Fish found in Belize Waters:
Anchovies
Angelfish
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
AQUASTAT is FAO's global information
system on water and agriculture developed by the Land and Water
Division. It collects, analyses and disseminates data and
information by country and by region. Its aim is to provide users
interested in global, regional and national analyses with
comprehensive information related to water resources and
agricultural water management across the world, with emphasis on
countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Information for Belize
Ocean Health Index
Belize
- The Ocean Health Index is a valuable tool for the ongoing
assessment of ocean health. By providing a means to advance
comprehensive ocean policy and compare future progress, the Index
can inform decisions about how to use or protect marine ecosystems.
The Index is a collaborative effort, made possible through
contributions from more than 65 scientists/ocean experts and
partnerships between organizations including the National Center for
Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, Sea Around Us, Conservation
International, National Geographic, and the New England Aquarium.
Information for Belize
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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:
[email protected]
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:
[email protected]
or
[email protected]
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
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.
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