Flats Fishing
A Belizean SOCIAL, ECOMOMIC & Conservation Powerhouse
Flats fishing is one of Belize’s most powerful examples of how conservation, economic development and community livelihoods can go hand in hand. It mostly takes place in the shallow, crystal-clear waters along Belize’s coast, known as “flats,” where anglers from around the world come to catch bonefish, permit, and tarpon—the “grand slam” of saltwater fly fishing, among others. But what makes flats fishing in Belize truly exceptional isn’t just the quality of the catch. It’s the fact that catch and release is legally required for these species.
Since 2009, Belize has been a global leader in mandating catch and release for the three main flats species, making this form of fishing one of the most sustainable in the world. Unlike reef or deep-sea fishing, flats fishing has little impact on fish populations. It allows anglers to enjoy the thrill of the chase while protecting fish populations for future generations.
And the impact goes far beyond the water. In 2022 alone, flats fishing generated over $240 million BZD in total economic impact, making it one of the country’s most important tourism sectors. That includes direct expenditures on guides, lodging, meals, transportation, and tours as well as indirect spending that supports fuel stations, grocery stores, mechanics, and more. Flats fishing supports more than 6,000 jobs, including over 4,500 full-time equivalents throughout Belize.
Turneffe Atoll Backreef Flat
For many former commercial fishers, flats fishing has provided a meaningful transition to a more lucrative and sustainable livelihood. Many of today’s independent guides began as commercial fishers. Now, they make a living protecting the very species they once caught, earning more income while contributing to a thriving eco-tourism economy.
Yet Belize’s coasts are under increasing pressure from dredging, over-the-water construction, and mangrove deforestation. These destructive activities continue even within marine protected areas, where “protection” often applies only to commercial fishing, not habitat. Without stronger legal safeguards, the very ecosystems that make flats fishing possible could be lost—and with them, the tourism dollars and jobs they support.
The success of Belize’s flats fishing shows what’s possible when sustainability is taken seriously. But this success won’t last without urgent action to protect critical marine habitats. That means legislation to halt destructive development practices in Belize’s most sensitive and critically important habitats.
The Plan for Protecting Belize’s Flats Fisheries
The entire flats fishing industry rests on a fragile foundation: Belize’s unique coastal habitat. It is essential that these unique and special habitats are not destroyed through unsustainable, destructive development - particularly seabed dredging, overwater development and mangrove deforestation.
Entire backreef flats have already been destroyed, as shown below. In 2024 and 2025, key flats fishing areas have been threatened in several areas. A popular flat in Southern Belize, Wil Bauer Flat, was spared from destruction when Government purchased the adjacent property. Through Belize’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, one of Turneffe’s key flats (Big Flat) was spared from an overwater development that would have destroyed this area for flats fishing. Currently, one of Northern Belize’s essential flats fishing areas is threatened by a large overwater development around Cayo Rosario.
Northern Big Flat at Turneffe Atoll - destroyed by dredging
In conjunction with others, Turneffe Atoll Trust has mapped the essential flats fishing areas at Turneffe and throughout Belize. To protect Belizean jobs and the country’s economic future, TAT is advocating for definitive protection for these essential flats fishing areas.
Recently, Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association’s (TASA’s), Flats Fishing Committee, comprised of Turneffe’s flats fishing operators, pertinent government agencies, TAT, TASA, EDF, a long-term Turneffe guide and international flats fishing experts, mapped Turneffe’s essential flats fishing areas and TASA has endorsed the pursuit of legislation to protect Turneffe’s essential flats fishing areas from dredging, overwater development and mangrove deforestation. It is NOT anticipated that this legislation will prohibit development. Rather, it will only prohibit specific destructive and unsustainable development practices.
Turneffe Atoll Trust has similarly mapped Belize’s flats fisheries country-wide with an intent to pursue broader protection. This will presumably be done in conjunction with other interested groups including Belize’s operators, flats fishing guides, the Belize Flats Fishing Guide Association and other Marine Protected Areas.
This is a win-win effort supporting Belizean jobs and Belize’s economy by protecting the country’s essential environmental assets. As such, TAT anticipates strong government support for the benefit of Belize.
Flats fishing is more than a sport—it’s a reflection of Belize’s identity, economy, and leadership in sustainable tourism. Protecting it means protecting our future.