Hooks & Tackle

• Always use barbless hooks; this helps to reduce the amount of handling time needed to remove the hook.
• When using natural bait, use inline (non-offset) circular hooks
• Use tackle that match the fish and conditions, using too light a rod may lead to longer fight time and make it hard to land the fish
• Keep the fight short but not too short. Long fight time results in an exhausted fish which is vulnerable to predators upon release. Short fight time results in a fish that is more likely to thrash about, potentially injuring itself.

Landing and Hook Removal

•  If the fish will not be documented or photograph then it should not be removed from the water. De-hooking devices may help to remove the hook from the fish in the water.
• If the fish swallows the hook, cut the line as close as possible to the hook. Forcibly removing the hook can cause internal damage
• If the fish needs to be boated for photographs and documentation, handle the fish with clean wet hands, soft wet gloves, or knotless nets in order to minimize slime and scale loss.
• Lip gripping devices can help to subdue the fish in the boat; however, these devices should not be used to raise the fish vertically in the air as it can damage the mouth, muscles, jaw bone and internal organs of the fish.
• It is recommended that fish be removed horizontally from the water by holding the base of the lower jaw and supporting its underside.
• If the fish will be out of water for extended periods of time, place the fish in a holding tank or dip it in water to allow it to breath as much as possible.

Release

• When possible, release the fish away from predators; this will increase its chances of survival.
• Place the fish in the water and hold the base of its tail starts moving and gently push it forward for it to swim away.
• If the fish does not swim away or loses equilibrium (rolls over or goes nose down), gently push the fish forward in the water gently guiding it in a circle around you so that water washes over its gills to help it recover.

In 2007, after an economic study was done on the sport fishing industry in Belize, its value was estimated at more than $55mil BZD, it was also estimated to have provided more than 1,800 jobs. In 2013, another economic study was done which valued the industry at more than $110 mil BZD and it was estimated to provided more than 2,000 jobs. In a timespan of five years, the value of the industry had doubled and it is expected to continue with this expediential growth. In order to keep the industry environmentally and economically sustainable for current and future generations, steps were taken to better manage its natural resources (fish species).

Overview: CZMAI is cognizant of the need for enforcement of the sport fishing regulations within the territorial waters of Belize in an effort to safeguard both the habitats and species that serve as the foundation of Belize’s sport fishing sector. As a result, we are actively seeking to develop partnerships with agencies that already have the capacity and ongoing programs that align with our objectives and functions. We have initiated work on formalizing our collaboration with partner agencies through the signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) which will help to provide guidelines through which we can work and gain mutual benefits.

Goal: Increase the voluntary compliance and enforcement activities with Belize’s sport fishing regulations, namely; S.I. 115 under the Coastal Zone Management Act and S.I. 114 under the Fisheries Act.

Objectives:

1. Enter into formal working relationships with two enforcement entities via a signed MOU
2. Encourage the voluntary compliance with Belize’s sport fishing regulations by its citizens and visitors alike.