In an effort to answer many of the questions about the new Sport Fishing legislations that were signed in late 2009, the Coastal Zone Management Authority has put together a FAQ, ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ sheet, to help stakeholders and the general public understand what the legislation is about and how it will affect them. Keep in mind that this legislation was drafted to ensure easy enforcement as well as better protection for the fish species. For this reason, the clearly states that if you want to go fishing, and you do not have a commercial fishing license, then you will need a sport fishing license.

What is considered ‘Sport Fishing’?
“Sport Fishing means fishing for the purpose of leisure or competition only, and not for the commercial purpose of selling, exporting or otherwise.”

What considered leisure? **
From the dictionary it means ‘in one's leisure time: at one's convenience’. For the purposes of this act, it is interpreted to mean ‘not done as part of a job or in exchange for payment of any kind.’ This would include for subsistence purposes, to feed yourself and family, sharing your catch with friends or family, etc.

Who needs a Sport Fishing license?
“Every person desirous of engaging in sport fishing within Belizean waters shall apply in writing to the Minister or to a person or authority (CZMA) authorized in writing by the Minister, as the case may be, for a sport fishing license.”
Basically, if you want to go fishing, and you do not hold a commercial fishing license, you will need a sport fishing license.

How do I get a Sport Fishing license?
Licenses are distributed through the CZMA or authorized distributor throughout the country. A list of distributors will soon be available.
Yearly licenses have to be applied for at the CZMA office. Licenses will be mailed or can be picked up after three business days.
In the near future, you will be able to apply for and purchase your sport fishing license online at our CZMA website.

How much does a license cost?
Licenses are sold based on how long you want it for. Below is the fee structure:
FISHING PERIOD FEES IN BELIZE DOLLARS

One (1) Day $20.00
One (1) Week $50.00
One (1) Year $100.00

If I am aboard a boat and others are fishing, but am not fishing, do I also need a sport fishing license?
Non fishing persons aboard the boat eg. wives or children also require a license. The law states that (Sec. 8) “A person is deemed to be engaged in sport fishing if (a) he is on a boat or engaged or employed on a boat while in used or equipped for sport fishing in the waters of Belize.
As stated in the introduction of this FAQ sheet, this legislation was drafted to make enforcement as simple as possible. If you are fishing, and do not have a commercial fishing license, you will need a sport fishing license.

If I am fishing for a fish that is not on the list outlined as Sport Fish, do I need a license? **
Again, once you are fishing, and do not have a commercial fishing license, you will need a Sport fishing license. The type of fish does not matter, as long as you do not have a Commercial Fishing license to catch fish, you will need to get a Sport fishing license.

Are all the fish on the list of sport fish in the Fisheries legislation protected?
The list of fish outlined in the Fisheries legislation is only a list of commonly targeted sport fish and is not a comprehensive list. There are other fish species that are not on the list that are also considered sport fish.
Only three species on that list are protected namely the Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), Permit (Trachinotus falcatus), and the Bonefish (Albula vulpes).
These three fish species are for ‘catch and release’ purposes only. The other species on the list can be kept after catching.

What does ‘Catch and Release’ mean?
Catch and Release fishing means that once any of the protected fish species is caught, it must be released back into the water where it was caught utilizing the ‘Best Practices’ guide for responsible angling.

I am a tour guide that does a lot of sport fishing tours. Do I need a Sport fishing license?
Yes, you will need a sport fishing license. However, the CZMA is working with the Belize Tourism Board to look at exemptions for tour guides who already have their tour guide license. In such cases, applications for exemptions may be granted.

Is it possible to get an exemption for my child who is under 15years old, or my father who is over 65years old?
Exemptions may also be granted for children under 15yrs and over 65 years old if application for such an exemption is received by the CZMA.

If I am standing on a dock or on casually fishing from the shore, will I still need a Sport Fishing license?
The law, as it is written, does not care where the fishing is done. As long as you are fishing for ‘leisure’ and do not have a commercial fishing license, then you will be required to have a sport fishing license.

If I am fishing in the river, do I still need a Sport fishing license?
Sport fishing in fresh water is still sport fishing under the definition given above. It is the act of fishing for ‘leisure’ and thus includes ‘leisure’ fishing in both freshwater and marine habitats.

** The answers to these questions have been verified by the Attorney General’s Ministry.

If you have any other questions about this new Sport Fishing legislation, please feel free to contact us here at the CZMA office.