Fisherfolk Raise Concerns Over Vessel Monitoring Requirement

Fisherfolk with special licenses to harvest stone crab claws and sharks have raised concerns about a Belize Fisheries Department requirement to install Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) devices on their boats. Those who fail to comply risk having their special licenses not renewed.
The department says each vessel must have a VMS device installed and operational no later than October 22, 2026. Fisheries Department technicians will install devices at designated locations nationwide.
Special license holders must also restrict their fishing activities to the areas specified in their licenses and submit catch records. “Catch data must be recorded on an official catch logbook and submitted after every trip to a fisheries officer,” the department stated.
As the implementation deadline approaches, some fishers say their questions about the requirement remain unanswered. San Pedro Fisherfolk Association President Jorge Aldana told the media that the main concern is the lack of consultation before the measure was introduced.
“They need to have a conversation with us,” Aldana said. “There are many concerns. They did not consult with us.”
Aldana questioned who would monitor the database, how the information would be stored, and whether tracking fishers’ movements could infringe on their constitutional rights. He said fishermen across the country share these concerns.
The shark fishing season runs from November 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027. The stone crab season opened on October 1st and continues through June 30, 2027. Both activities require special licenses, and holders must comply with the department’s monitoring and catch-reporting requirements.
For special license holders from San Pedro and Caye Caulker, VMS installations are scheduled for October 21st and 22nd in Caye Caulker. Other scheduled installations include Dangriga Town on October 23rd and Riversdale Village, north of the Placencia Peninsula, on October 24th.
The department advises special license holders to bring their vessels to the designated installation locations at the scheduled times.
For more information, contact the Belize Fisheries Department at 224-4552 or email fisheries_department@fisheries.gov.bz.