Updated March 16, 2019
Unfortunately, UNESCO World Heritage designation only extends to about 12% of the Reef and laws do not prevent shark fishing in the vast majority of the reef. Despite recognition that sharks have much higher value alive as a draw for divers and snorkelers than caught by commercial fisherman1, regulations protecting sharks continue to be lacking. Studies have shown that the number of sharks in Belize has declined dramatically over past three decades. Fishing methods including miles of monofilament gillnets and longlines are depleting shark populations on an epic scale. It is now easy to find piles of dead sharks in the market in many coastal towns.2
Conservationists are finding support from the Belize Game Fishing Association in advocating for a ban on gill nets, long lines and shark fishing. They too recognize the tragic impact on the Belizean reefs with the loss of the eco-system’s vital apex predators.3 Although the equally vocal Shark Fishers Association counters this ban, they are concerned that a gill net ban would threaten their livelihood.4 To date a decision has not been made and gill nets continue to be in operation in Belizean waters.
Laws Protecting Sharks
Belize is a signatory to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which bans the export of specific animals without a specific export license.5 Additionally, while humans are warned about high levels of mercury in local large fish, there are not regulations specific to shark fishing.6 In fact, sharks are only protected while residing in protected marine areas, but outside these areas only whale and nurse sharks are banned from fishing.7 In spite of the protections, poaching continues. Since most of the sharks taken from Belize are caught by non-Belizeans and sold outside of the country, local people don’t benefit—indicating that broader protections could help both marine life and the economies of Belizeans.8
Latest Action
Conservationists continue to advocate for a ban on gill nets which have trapped and drowned countless numbers of sharks and other bycatch fish.9
Belizean Marine Protected Areas
- Laughing Bird Caye National Park (LBCNP)
- Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve (GSSCMR)
- Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve (SCMR)
- Payne’s Creek National Park
- Port Honduras Marine Park
- TIDE Private Protected Lands
- Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve
What You Can Do
Resident
- Push for bans on unsustainable fishing methods such as long lining and gill nets.
- Advocate for increased shark protections and extension of marine protected areas.
- Do not consume shark meat.
Visitor
- When diving in Belize, remove any ghost nets or abandoned fishing line you may come across.
- Report any illegal fishing in marine protected areas.
- Do not consume shark meat.
Places To Dive With Sharks
More than 350 species of sharks can be found in the waters of Belize. Here are some highlights:
- Placencia (Southern Belize) – Black tip sharks, Bull sharks, Lemon sharks, Nurse sharks, Reef shark, Hammerheads (occasional), Whale Sharks: March, April, May, and June, at Gladden Spit Marine Reserve
- Ambergris Caye – Shark Ray Alley (part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve)- nurse sharks
- Belize Barrier Reef – reef sharks
- The Blue Hole – reef sharks, bull sharks.
1 Belizeans Push for Ban on Gill Net Fishing After Large Shark Killing
2 & 8 Protecting Sharks and Other Marine Mega-fauna in the MAR
3 Unsustainable Shark Fishing is killing the Belize Marine Ecosystem
4 Shark Fishers Association opposes banning of gill nets in Belize
5 Conservation and management of sharks
6 Fishing in San Pedro and Belize
7 Shark fishing season comes to a close; Marine conservationists continue advocating for shark protection
9 Belizeans Push for Ban on Gill Net Fishing After Large Shark Killing