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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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Seafood Guide for Fishing in Belize

by tacogirl 28/02/2011
written by tacogirl 28/02/2011
Sightseeing in Belize

This post goes out to Captains Jeff and Bill, two good friends that got me interested in fishing. They are both conscientious fishers and always make sure that no matter what ends up on the hook, to throw back what should not be taken – be it the wrong kind or too small. Between the two of them, I have shared many fun fishing adventures with numerous great friends. To buy a fishing license online click through to Coastal Zone Management Belize.

Fishing in Belize is a popular sport and there are many annual tournaments. Along with this comes great responsibility. Fishing laws are in place to conserve and improve fish populations. Size limits are meant to protect and allow fish to reach a healthy spawning size before they are caught.

People who do not observe these rules or speak up politely when they see them being broken are contributing to overfishing and killing off the industry. There is no endless supply, if we do not respect what we have, we will have none to respect 🙁

Seafood Guide for Fishing in Belize

(All info came from Seafood Guide to Belize card that I got at Matthieu’s Delicatessen – no longer on the island but still relevant information).

Why You Should Care. Fisheries stocks are declining globally. The ocean is not the unlimited resource we once thought it was. Many scientists are predicting a complete collapse in the next 50 years. While Belize is better off than some countries, catches have declined in recent decades and most of the large (>40cm) fish are gone.

The Belize Fisheries Department is doing their best by implementing seasons and size limits for many commercial species but data collection and enforcement are often difficult obstacles.

We need greater protection of our wild fisheries stocks and better ways to rebuild dwindling stocks not only for continued seafood production for future generations but also to preserve the marine ecosystem which in turn will help protect the planet.

You Are What You Eat. Pollution in our oceans has a real trickle down effect. Mercury has been found in many large fish and shark species and warnings exist especially for pregnant women on just how much fish they should eat. There are currently no regulations on shark fishing in Belize and it is often substituted for fish in local treats like panandes.

Lionfish are an invasive species to the Caribbean that eat up our commercial fish and have no natural predators here; the best eradication methods are to kill them and they are good to eat too. But take care as their fins are poisonous (not the fillet though).

You Can Make a Difference. Supply and Demand. If the consumer knows the proper seasons for seafood in Belize they are better equipped to make decisions at the restaurant or on their fishing trip. By ensuring your local guides and restaurants comply with Belize’s Fishery Laws you are helping to protect commercial seafood species for generations to come. While strides are being made in mariculture options they can never replace natural stocks which still need more protection.

Complete Ban – Coral – All Parrotfish – Blue Tang – Surgeon Fish – Permit – Tarpon – Bone Fish – Marine Turtle (all species) – Whale Shark – All Marine Mammals – 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 14th to 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 and 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 fillets must have a skin patch left on (2 inches 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 long lines, no traps. Information from Belize law Chapter 2105

Links Worth Checking – Agriculture Belize Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; Monterey Bay Aquarium – conservation of the oceans for more than 25 years.
See Fishing Tours – TripAdvisor reviews.

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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5 comments

Emily (@EmilySNC) 28/02/2011 - 2:09 pm

Great information Laurie! I think you meant “conscientious” instead of “contentious” in the first paragraph, tho. 🙂

Reply
tacogirl 28/02/2011 - 6:33 pm

Thanks for the edit Emily you are hired – that was a spell check gone wrong ha ha.

Reply
Forrest Jones 28/02/2011 - 10:30 am

Good work, Laurie. A very useful refresher

Reply
tacogirl 28/02/2011 - 6:34 pm

Thanks Forrest and Debra – we all need to remember things like this.

Reply
Debra Milstead 28/02/2011 - 9:04 am

Great post…we take so much for granted that it will always be there…we all need to care about our natural resources.

Reply

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

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SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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