Belize Fisheries Department

All fishers and the general public are advised that the highly anticipated season for the Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) will officially open on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The Belize Fisheries Department (BFD) noted that this is in accordance with the Fisheries Act and its Subsidiary Regulations. The season will remain open until February 28, 2026.

The Belize Fisheries Department hereby informs all fishers and the public that, in accordance with Statutory Instrument No. 54 of 2012, the Honourable Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, will declare the Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) fishery closed at the close of business on May 25, 2025. This is necessary due to the realization of the Queen Conch production quota for the 2024-2025 fishing season.

On April 22nd, an incident suggesting a mass stranding was initially reported as pilot whales occurred near Drown Caye off the coast of Belize City. Authorities later clarified that the animals were likely false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), as they closely resemble pilot whales. Over 30 whales were involved, prompting an emergency response.

Local non-governmental organizations, tourism partners, and business allies are coming together to celebrate the 14th Annual Reef Week from Saturday, March 15th to Saturday, March 22nd, 2025. Under the theme “Building Resilience from Ridge to Reef!”, this week-long event will highlight the Belize Barrier Reef’s critical role in the national economy, environmental health, and Belizean identity.

On February 21st, a joint press release by The Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries and Oceana stated that the Honorable Andre Perez, the Minister of Blue Economy in charge of the Belize Fisheries Department (BFD), misrepresented facts about Belize's gillnet ban. The statement emphasized that Perez's comments contradicted the transparent, multi-year process that led to the prohibition of gillnets in Belizean waters.

In Belize, tourists travel thousands of miles to enjoy the country’s seafood, which features a variety of seasonal conch dishes, including conch soup, conch fritters, stewed conch, fried conch, and the most popular dish, conch ceviche (made with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime, salt, and pepper). These delicacies have been enjoyed for decades; however, a lingering question remains: how much of the stock is left in the sea?

To ensure the successful and timely delivery of Belize’s conservation commitments, the Belize Fisheries Department was equipped with a Toyota Hilux Vehicle and eight laptops to effectively monitor and ensure compliance with fisheries laws - an essential step in protecting Belize’s valuable marine areas and supporting productive fisheries and livelihoods.

In the effervescent waters of coastal Belize, a culinary and cultural staple is at risk. The conch fishery continues to encounter growing pressure from overfishing and minimal harvesting size. Recent reports indicate that Belize's exports of Queen conch meat have seen a notable rise, doubling in volume from 200 metric tons (MT) to 400 MT between 2003 and 2018. The value of these exports has more than tripled during the same period, setting the Queen conch's position as the second most important fishery in the country, after spiny lobster. While the exact impact of Queen conch on tourism and household food security remains unclear, they are believed to be considerable. Strict and dedicated management efforts are critical to safeguarding this valued shellfish and ensuring that it doesn’t vanish from our plates.