Belize's Fishing Industry: Where's The Catch?

Belize's fishing industry is located in the territorial waters of Belize, which include the country's marine reserve network and nine Managed Access fishing areas. The fishing industry is an important source of employment for approximately 15,000 Belizeans, who are licensed to fish in these waters. The industry contributes significantly to the country's economy, bringing in approximately $29 million in 2012.

Belize's fishing industry supports approximately 15,000 people

Belize's fishing industry is not just a way of life for many; it is their lifeblood. The country's barrier reef, acclaimed for its beauty, biodiversity, and economic bounty, has been the impetus behind a transformative rethinking of the country's fisheries management system.

The Belize Fisheries Department, along with the government and partners, piloted a rights-based approach for managing fisheries at two of the country's marine reserves: Glover's Reef and Port Honduras. The program aims to improve the overall health and biomass of the coral reef ecosystem, reverse overfishing, and reduce illegal fishing.

Belize's fishery management reform model embraces a stakeholder-centered, participatory process that focuses on rebuilding fish populations to support people's livelihoods and marine resource stewardship. This community of innovative problem solvers is building sustainable and profitable fisheries at the right scale and pace to offer tremendous social, economic, and ecological benefits.

The success of the program is evident, with the majority of fishing communities supporting Belize's Managed Access policy and fishers adopting sustainable practices. The Managed Access Working Group, which includes fishers, develops policies and builds support for and compliance with the program among Belize's nearly 3,000 fishers.

The fishing industry in Belize is an important source of employment and contributes significantly to the country's economy, with the wild-capture fishery sector bringing in approximately $29 million in 2012. The industry also provides jobs for 3,000 Belizeans and supports the livelihoods of fishing communities.

Belize's fishing industry is committed to sustainability and the protection of marine resources. The country's fishers are keen to help each other ensure that everyone can continue fishing, which should be music to the ears of decision-makers.

Belize's fishing industry contributes around $22 million to the country's economy

Belize's fishing industry is a significant contributor to the country's economy, bringing in approximately $22 million annually, which is around 3% of Belize's GDP. The industry provides jobs, food security, and revenue to the nation, and it is estimated that it supports around 15,000 people, with almost 20% being licensed commercial fishers.

The fishing industry in Belize has a long history, dating back to the 1960s when it began to flourish. Over the years, it has faced challenges such as overfishing and out-of-season fishing, but it remains an important economic sector. The primary catches in Belize include lobster, shrimp, conch, red snapper, and other finfish. In recent years, shrimp farming has seen a boost in exports, with a 43% increase in 1989.

The country's barrier reef, known for its beauty and biodiversity, has been a driving force behind the rethinking of Belize's fisheries management system. To protect the reef and ensure the livelihoods of fishers and fishing communities, Belize implemented a Managed Access program for its fisheries, including lobster and conch, which are the country's main seafood exports. This program aims to improve the health of the coral reef ecosystem while sustaining the fishing industry.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has also shown support for the development of Belize's fishing industry by approving a $7 million loan to help sustainably expand its blue economy. The loan is designed to strengthen the government's capacity to manage commercial fish species sustainably and promote the adoption of sustainable and climate-resilient technologies among artisanal fishers.

Belize's fishing industry is an important part of the country's economy and has the potential to grow further with the implementation of sustainable practices and technological advancements. The industry provides jobs and supports the livelihoods of thousands of Belizeans, contributing to the country's overall development and progress.

The two main fisheries in Belize are spiny lobster and queen conch

The fishing industry in Belize supports approximately 15,000 people, with nearly 20% of those being licensed commercial fishers. The industry contributes $22 million BZD, or 3%, to the country's economy. The two main fisheries in Belize are spiny lobster and queen conch.

Spiny lobster and queen conch are the most productive capture fisheries in Belize, with more than 90% of the catch exported to the US. The lobster fishing season in Belize runs from July 1st to February 28th. Lobster fishing is mainly done by hand using traditional methods, with fishers free diving to the seafloor to hook the lobsters. Spiny lobsters tend to be found in rocky areas, so this is a skill perfected over time. Fishers using skiffs will set traps and then free dive to retrieve them. The lobster catch must adhere to Belize's fisheries regulations, which stipulate a minimum carapace length of 3-3.25 inches and a minimum tail weight of 4-4.5 ounces.

Queen conch, or Lobatus gigas, is a large sea snail found near the Belize barrier reef, within shallows, sand, or seagrass. Conch fishing is restricted to individuals with commercial licenses. The meat is challenging to harvest and prepare, requiring the use of another conch shell to make a small hole in the shell of the caught conch. The meat is then cleaned of all brown skin, usually with a fillet knife. Conch is a seasonal delicacy in Belize, with the season running from October 1st to June 30th.

Belize's fishing industry is facing challenges due to illegal fishing and unsustainable practices

Belize's fishing industry is located in the country's territorial waters, which include the world's second-largest coral reef ecosystem. The industry supports approximately 15,000 people in Belize, with almost 20% of those being licensed commercial fishers.

In addition, unsustainable practices, such as the use of gillnets, have negatively impacted fish populations. Gillnets are designed to catch fish by trapping them by the gills, but they are often indiscriminate and destructive, leading to the killing of both targeted and undesired species.

To address these challenges, Belize has implemented initiatives such as the Managed Access program, which aims to protect the health of the coral reef ecosystem while ensuring the livelihoods of fishers and fishing communities. The program includes the creation of fishing areas with territorial use rights, harvest controls, and replenishment zones. There have also been efforts to improve data collection and management through digital technologies, such as the Tally system, to better monitor and enforce fishing activities.

Furthermore, there is a focus on community empowerment and collaboration between fishers, fishing communities, the government, and NGOs to foster sustainable practices and safeguard food security. Belize has also introduced stricter regulations and increased fines and penalties to deter illegal fishing.

Overall, the challenges of illegal fishing and unsustainable practices in Belize's fishing industry are being addressed through a combination of policy reforms, community engagement, technological innovations, and collaboration between various stakeholders.

Efforts to improve sustainability include the use of new technology for data collection and traceability

Belize's fishing industry is a significant contributor to the country's economy, providing jobs, food security, income, and foreign exchange earnings. However, the sector faces challenges in ensuring long-term sustainability, particularly due to its heavy reliance on two species: the spiny lobster and the queen conch. To address these issues, the Belize Fisheries Department, the National Fishermen Cooperative (NFC), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have collaborated to implement new technology, known as Tally by ThisFish, to improve data collection and traceability in the fishing industry.

Tally is an innovative technology that aims to digitize the fisheries supply chain and improve efficiency in the processing plant. By using Tally, the relevant authorities can ensure full electronic traceability of seafood products, tracking them from the time of capture at sea to the consumer's plate. This enhances accountability and transparency, allowing consumers to know exactly who caught their lobster or conch, when, where, and the lifecycle process it endured.

The implementation of Tally is expected to have far-reaching effects on the fishing industry in Belize. Firstly, it will improve data collection and sharing among different organizations. The data generated by Tally will be provided directly to the Belize Fisheries Department for real-time analysis and management of the fisheries. This will enable better decision-making and ensure the sustainable utilization of marine resources.

Secondly, the technology will help drive economic security for fishers and cooperative members. By providing electronic traceability of spiny lobster and conch, it will ensure that sustainably caught fish enter premium markets. This, in turn, can drive higher prices from seafood buyers, benefiting the fishers and their communities.

Additionally, the use of Tally is in line with Belize's commitment to sustainable practices in its marine-coastal zones. The technology supports the country's efforts to fulfill the objectives of the Blue Bond Agreement, which allows for a debt-for-nature swap as part of its debt repayment strategy. By prioritizing sustainable practices, Belize is taking a proactive approach to managing its fisheries resources and promoting economic growth while protecting the environment.

The collaboration between the Belize Fisheries Department, NFC, and TNC, along with other conservation NGOs, demonstrates a united effort to address the challenges facing the fishing industry in Belize. By leveraging new technology, they are working towards improving sustainability, data collection, and traceability, ultimately securing the livelihoods of thousands of people who depend on the fishing industry in Belize.

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