Protecting Belize’s Flats Fishery

Flats Fishing in Belize focuses on bonefish, permit, tarpon and snook, and Belize is one of the few places in the world where anglers can land a flats fishing Grand Slam - a bonefish, permit and tarpon landed in one day. Belize is known throughout the flats fishing world as the best place to catch the prize of flats fishing, the elusive permit.

As a result of legislation passed in 2008, all bonefish, permit and tarpon must be released unharmed. The law mandates that “no person or establishment shall have possess bonefish, permit or tarpon save in the act of catch and release”. Since this legislation was enacted, these species have thrived, making catch & release fishing in Belize a glowing example of sustainable tourism.

Belize’s Flats Fishery is now threatened by destruction of the Country’s key flats fishing habitats from destructive development including dredging, over-water development and mangrove deforestation. Turneffe Atoll Trust, and others including the Belize Flats Fishery (Guides) Association, are involved in a major effort to protect this economically important industry through legislation that specifically protects Belize’s key flats fishing areas. As documented below, it makes good economic and environmental sense for decision makers to protect these areas and this sustainable industry. We are optimistic that this can be accomplished and please read further for details.

Flats fishing is an important sector of Belize’s tourism industry providing large economic advantages for the country generating 6.7% of Belize’s GDP. Turneffe Atoll Trust’s country-wide guide surveys, drawing on 600+ years of flats fishing experience, confirms that the industry is sustainable and fish populations are healthy.

The key areas have been mapped and presented to decision makers at the highest levels with positive feedback. We are optimistic that Belize will continue to be a leader in flats fishing management by passing the essential legislation, but support from the fly fishing community will critical to getting this accomplished.

Economics of Flats Fishing in Belize

The economic impact of flats fishing in Belize for bonefish, permit and tarpon is substantial, and three successive economic analyses in 2007, 2015 and 2022 by Dr. Anthony Fedller have quantified this impact.

In 2007, flats fishing’s annual economic impact was BZ$56 million dollars. By 2015, this impact had grown to BZ$115 million dollars, and by 2022, the economic impact of flats fishing in Belize had increased to BZ$246 million annually, or 6.7% of Belize’s GDP. Flats fishing now provides 6,000 good paying jobs for Belizeans.

2022 Economic Impact of Flats Fishing in Belize

Dr. Anthony Fedler

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Economic Impact of Flats Fishing in Belize 2013

Dr. Anthony Fedler

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Economic Impact of Bonefish, Permit and Tarpon for Belize in Belize 2007

Dr. Anthony Fedler & Craig Hayes,

Catch and Release Legislation

In 2008, Turneffe Atoll Trust led efforts to protect valuable sports fishing species in Belize through the landmark Catch & Release Legislation.

For many years, Belize’s sport fishing industry had recognized the need to protect these three valuable species; however, numerous attempts to do so had been unsuccessful.

Our efforts were successful in 2009 largely because decision makers were convinced that bonefish, permit and tarpon are too valuable to catch only once. Landmark Catch & Release Legislation was enacted in 2009 mandating that “No person shall have in his possession any bonefish, permit or tarpon, or any of its product forms, save and except in the act of catch and release.”

In addition to funding and participating in the above mentioned study, Turneffe Atoll Trust worked closely with key governmental agencies in Belize, non-governmental agencies and the sport fishing industry. The economic impact of these species in Belize, as shown in the “study”, was essential for solidifying the support of key government officials, particularly the Minister of Tourism, Honorable Manuel Heredia, and the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Honorable Rene Montero. Widespread support for the project was expressed through a country-wide petition drive with approximately 2000 signatures, and a very positive and well-attended National Consultation. Subsequently, Turneffe Atoll Trust assisted in the process of drafting the legislation.

Principles involved in the initial process included:

Minister of Tourism & Aviation - Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries - Hon. Rene Montero, Turneffe Atoll Trust, Turneffe Flats Lodge - Craig Hayes, Belize River Lodge - Mike Heusner, El Pescador Lodge - Ali Flota
University of Belize - Dr. Vincent Palacio

Numerous Letters of Support were received from:
Belize Tourism and Industry Association, Belize Tourism Board, Belize Hotel Association, Ambergris Caye Chamber of Commerce, San Pedro Town Counsel, Orvis Travel, Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures, Frontiers Specialized International Travel Consultants, Cabelas Outdoor Adventures, Patagonia, Roxton’s Worldwide, Bennett Mintz Public Relations, Bonefish & Tarpon Unlimited, Traveling Angler Worldwide Expedition, Charles Schaeffer, Fly Fishing in Saltwater Magazine, Core Angling, Paul Bruun Outdoor Columnist, Midcurrent LLC, Aardvark McLeod International Flyfishing Specialist, Bill Wichers, Hatch Outdoors, Ray Schmidt, TIDE, Green Reef Environmental Institute, Friends of Nature, Smithsonian Institute, World Wildlife Fund, University of Belize, University of Belize Student Government, Turneffe Atoll Trust, Turneffe Flats, El Pescador, The Radisson Hotel, The Lodge at Chaa Creek and Machaca Hill Resort.

Catch and Release Mortality for Flats Fishing

Fish mortality related to Catch & Release varies widely depending on the fishing methods. Nearly all flats fishing in Belize is done in the shallows with fly fishing gear and small flies, usually with pinched barbs. This style of fishing leads to very low catch and release mortality making this fishery a prime example of sustainable tourism for Belize.

This summary of catch and release mortality at Turneffe Atoll is indicative of other flats fishing areas throughout Belize.

Flats Fishing Catch & Release Mortality: Turneffe Atoll, Belize