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License Forms
Cook License New Application Form
Cook License Renewal Application Form
Vessel License New Application Form
Vessel License Renewal Application Form
Fisherfolk License Renewal Application Form
Fisherfolk License New Application Form
Application Forms
Scientific Research Permit - Cover Page Application Form
Filming Permit Letter of Commitment
Scientific Report Writing Format
Scientific Research Permit - Letter of Committment
Scientific Research Permit - Application Form
Scientific Research Permit - Sample Export
Scientific Research Permit - Administrative Requirements
All researchers with the intent to conduct Scientific Research (SR) in Belize are required to obtain a SR permit from Belize Fisheries Department (BFD)
Seafood Import Application Form
Export License Application Form
Legislation
SI 158-2020 Fisheries Resources (Gill Net Prohibition) Regulations, 2020
Sharks and Lobster Amendment Regulations Statutory Instrument No. 128 of 2021
Fisheries Resources Act No 7 of 2020
Fisheries Regulations Amendment SI No 81 of 2019
Fisheries ACT Chapter 210
Educational
Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease in Belize, a multi-pronged approach
SCTLD Response must be a multi-prong approach at all levels. There is no clear-cut path to take when addressing SCTLD, each country along with local organizations must work together to find a best fit approach for their specific local, national, and regional context based on human and financial resources and response capacity and expertise.
Managed Access Factsheet 2016
Managed Access empowers fishers through their active participation in committees that oversee and manage fishing areas.
Managed Access Poster
Managed Access secures fishing grounds by managing access and empowers fishers so as to ensure sustainable fisheries.
Managed Access Factsheet
Reports
Oceans Economy and Trade Strategy: Belize - Version of 29 November 2019
The Oceans Economy and Trade Strategy project was developed to assist developing countries in realizing the full potential of oceans economy sectors. This report was prepared in consultation with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations and the Government of Belize. The overall aim of the report is to assess the marine fisheries sector, particularly for finfish; and seafood processing sectors for queen conch and spiny lobster, so as to facilitate the preparation of an Oceans Economy Trade Strategy for two sectors selected by Belize during a stakeholder workshop held in November 2018. Legal & institutional, and economic studies were conducted prior to the aforementioned stakeholder workshop in November 2018 where results provided additional context for the development of strategies and action plan for Belize in this report.
Belize’s fisheries sector has supported over 2,500 fishers directly and over 15,000 Belizeans indirectly (BFD, 2019). The fisheries and seafood processing sector also support the ever-growing tourism sector in Belize by supplying the restaurant and hotel industry with finfish, spiny lobster, and queen conch in addition to exporting large volumes of these products. In 2018,
Belize exported 1.8 million pounds of seafood product valuing at 18.6 million USD (SIB, 2019). Total production over the ten-year period has yielded steady catch of spiny lobster and queen conch which are now classified as mature fisheries, while the potential for deep sea fishing has long been identified as a potential commercial stock (BFD,2019). Therefore, the economic interests of the fisheries sector must be taken into account as we aim to maximize the benefits of Belize’s ocean bounty while maintaining ecosystem health.
DRAFT Report prepared for UNCTAD and DOALOS
UNCSD Belize National Sustainable Development Report
Belize launched a national preparatory process in advance of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) scheduled for Rio de Janeiro in June 2012, with financial support from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The national preparation process consisted of three phases: the preparation of a national stocktaking report based on sector-specific reports. Information for sector reports and national report was obtained from literature review and interviews. Key documents reviewed included national strategies, action plans and policy documents from all economic sectors of key relevance to sustainable development and the UNCSD. Prepared by Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development, Belize, United Nations Department of Social and Economic Affairs (UNDESA), and United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
FAO Fishery and Aquaculture Country Profile: Belize 2019
In spite of a relatively short coastline, of about 386 km, Belize borders a marine environment of great significance in terms of living resources and biodiversity: off the shores of the country lies one of the largest coral reef barriers or the world. The fisheries sector plays an important role in the Belize national economy... Capture fisheries production in coastal waters mainly concentrates on two valuable resources: lobster and queen conch. Prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Draft Report for Belize’s VNR 2020 – SDG 14
Plans
Hol Chan Marine Reserve Management Plan: 2000
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve Management Plan serves as a working document for the sustainable use and management of the marine resources in the area. This plan prescribes a zoning scheme that provides opportunities for the protection of specific natural features; for the maintenance of environmental services; and for tourism and fishing. It also prescribes a financial sustainability plan that could support the capital and operational expenses of the reserve.
Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve Management Plan: 2012 - 2017
Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve Management Plan: 2004
Caye Caulker Marine Reserve: 2004 - 2009
Horizon 2030: The National Development Framework for Belize
VISION FOR BELIZE by the year 2030. Belize is a country of peace and tranquility, where citizens live in harmony with the natural environment and enjoy a high quality of life. Belizeans are an energetic, resourceful and independent people looking after their own development in a sustainable way.
Glover's Reef Marine Reserve Management Plan 2019-2023
South Water Caye Marine Reserve Management Plan
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Annual Reports
Annual General Meeting Report 2009
MAF Chief Executive Officer, Gabino Canto, prepared a report describing the vision, mission, programmes, and priorities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The ministry's vision is for a transformed and modern sector that is fully competitive, diversified, and sustainable. He said the mission of the Ministry is to continue as the economic pillar of Belize and to ensure food security, develop risk management, generate income and foreign exchange, create employment, and conserve natural
resources. He pointed out that projects were implemented in 2009 to increase.