San Pedro commercial fishermen gathered on Tuesday, August 4th, at 6:30PM at the basketball court in the El Embarcadero area of San Pedro Town to discuss proposed changes to fishing regulations, including new restrictions on lobster shades and other commercial fishing practices. The San Pedro Commercial Fishing Association called the meeting, drawing fishermen, boat operators, and other stakeholders concerned about how the draft regulations could affect their livelihoods.
According to the association’s notice and information shared during the meeting, the proposed regulations by the Belize Fisheries Department would require written authorization before deploying lobster shades, along with approval of each shade’s location, design, materials, and the number allowed per fisherman or fishing cooperative. The draft also proposes restrictions on construction materials, GPS registration of authorized shades, fines of up to BZ$1,000 per illegal shade, and the possibility of revocation of fishing licenses for non-compliance. President of the San Pedro Commercial Fishing Association, Jorge Aldana, told attendees the association was formed to give local fishermen a stronger voice as the proposed regulations move through the consultation process.
The meeting followed months of discussion about the Ministry’s proposed policy changes, which Aldana said first emerged last year and were then paused after fishermen raised concerns about unclear sections of the draft. He explained that the revised proposal now includes additional provisions not in the original document, prompting the association and other fishing groups to gather feedback from members and collect signatures. Aldana also said the association is preparing a joint response to the Ministry alongside other fishing organizations.
During the meeting, Aldana argued that the proposed regulations extend beyond lobster fishing and could have significant implications for the broader commercial fishing industry.
He expressed opposition to the proposed increase in lobster size limits, restrictions on lobster shades, and the requirement to register fishing structures using GPS coordinates.
“Every member of the association is not in agreement, but this goes beyond the membership,” he said, adding that any commercial fisherman using lobster shades could be affected if the proposed legislation is approved in its current form.
Looking ahead, the association is expected to continue gathering feedback and preparing its formal response before the consultation process advances. A public consultation is expected to be held in San Pedro, although a date has not yet been announced. If adopted, the proposed regulations could significantly change how fishermen construct, register, and use lobster shades, as well as affect catch limits, licensing requirements, and species-specific fishing regulations.