Belize
Americas · Central America
Recreational spearfishing is legal in Belize ONLY while free-diving (breath-hold). It is illegal to harvest any marine life while using SCUBA or any self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, and it is illegal to use spear guns or take any marine life inside marine reserves and other marine protected areas. A fishing licence is required for everyone, including tourists, and licences are administered together with the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI). Numerous species are fully protected (e.g. parrotfish and other grazers, bonefish, tarpon, permit, turtles, whale sharks, nurse sharks) and may never be speared, and closed seasons and size limits apply to commercially important species such as lobster, conch and Nassau grouper. The governing statute is the Fisheries Resources Act, No. 7 of 2020, which defines spear guns, Hawaiian slings, spears and spearfishing apparatus as regulated 'fishing gear'.
Dernière mise à jour juin 14, 2026
Cadre réglementaire
- §Fisheries Resources Act, No. 7 of 2020
- §Fisheries Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 17 of 1982 (prohibition on harvesting marine life while SCUBA diving)
- §Hol Chan Marine Reserve Regulations 1988 and amendments, incl. Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Amendment) Regulations, S.I. No. 114 of 2008 (spear fishing prohibited within reserve zones)
- §Coastal Zone Management Act 1998 and Sport Fishing Regulations (CZMAI sport fishing licences)
- Licence requise
- Requise
- Fusil harpon
- Autorisé
- Plongée bouteille
- Interdit
- Étrangers
- Bienvenus
La loi, verbatim
Textes juridiques
Les dispositions législatives et réglementaires exactes qui régissent la chasse sous-marine ici, citées telles que publiées, avec un lien vers chaque source officielle.
Definition of 'fishing gear' (includes spearfishing apparatus, spear guns, Hawaiian sling)
Fisheries Resources Act, No. 7 of 2020
"fishing gear" means any equipment, implement or other object that can be used for fishing, including any fishing net, rope, spearfishing apparatus (poles spears, hand spears, kill spike, spearfishing mask, Hawaiian sling, elastic, pneumatic powered, or mechanically power spear guns or sling) line, float, trap, hooks, winch, boat, beacon or locating device;
Power to regulate or prohibit use of self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA)
Fisheries Resources Act, No. 7 of 2020
87.-(1) The Minister may make such regulations as may be necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Act. (2) Without limiting the generality of sub-section (1), regulations made pursuant to this section may provide for all or any of the following- ... (l) regulating or prohibiting the use of self-contained underwater breathing apparatus;
Prohibition on harvesting marine life while SCUBA diving
Fisheries Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 17 of 1982
Belize Fisheries Regulations prohibit the harvest of any marine life while scuba diving (SI 17 of 1982).
Spear fishing prohibited within Hol Chan Marine Reserve zones (amendment to Regulations 7 and 8)
Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Amendment) Regulations, 2008, Statutory Instrument No. 114 of 2008
2. Regulation 7 of the principal Regulations is amended by inserting after paragraph (b), the following — “(c) the use of gillnets and other types of nets, except cast nets, is prohibited within this Zone; (d) spear fishing is prohibited within this Zone.” 3. Regulation 8 of the principal Regulations is amended by inserting after paragraph (b), the following — “(c) the use of gillnets and other types of nets, except cast nets, is prohibited within this Zone; (d) spear fishing is prohibited within this Zone.”
Quand vous pouvez plonger
Saisons et restrictions temporelles
Périodes de fermeture, d'ouverture et de restriction tout au long de l'année. Confirmez toujours localement les fermetures propres à chaque espèce.
- FerméeSpiny lobster (Panulirus argus)mars 1 – juin 30
Closed season for lobster: 1 March to 30 June. Minimum carapace length 3 inches / minimum tail weight 4 ounces; soft-shell and berried (egg-bearing) females prohibited.
- FerméeQueen conch (Strombus gigas / Aliger gigas)juil. 1 – sept. 30
Closed season for conch: 1 July to 30 September, or earlier when the national quota is met. Minimum shell length 7 inches.
- FerméeNassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus)déc. 1 – mars 31
Closed season for Nassau grouper: 1 December to 31 March. Legal size 20–30 inches total length; must be landed whole.
- FerméeSharks (special licence species)mai 1 – oct. 31
Closed season for sharks: 1 May to 31 October. Special licence required; fins must remain attached.
- FerméeStone crabjuil. 1 – sept. 30
Closed season for stone crab: 1 July to 30 September. Special licence required; claw propodus minimum 3 inches.
- FerméeWhelksjanv. 1 – sept. 30
Closed season for whelks: 1 January to 30 September. Special licence required; minimum diameter 2.4 inches.
Autorisation de pêcher
Licence
Ce dont vous avez besoin pour être autorisé dans l'eau, ce que cela coûte et comment l'obtenir.
Daily/weekly licences purchased online at apps.coastalzonebelize.org; annual licences applied for in person at CZMAI office or an approved distributor with valid photo ID.
Obtenez votre licenceOuvre le portail officiel · apps.coastalzonebelize.org
- Type
- Sport fishing licence (daily, weekly or annual); commercial fishing requires a Fisherfolk and Fishing Vessel licence
- Coût
- Non-resident sport fishing: 1 day BZ$20 (US$10); 1 week (7 days) BZ$50 (US$25); annual licence applied for in person. Fishing without a licence is punishable by a BZ$500 fine or up to 6 months imprisonment.
- Validité
- Per the licence purchased (1 day / 7 days / 1 year).
- Comment l'obtenir
- Daily/weekly licences purchased online at apps.coastalzonebelize.org; annual licences applied for in person at CZMAI office or an approved distributor with valid photo ID.
- Autorité
- Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI), in conjunction with the Belize Fisheries Department
Matériel et technique
Règles d'équipement
Quel matériel est autorisé, comment il peut être utilisé et les conditions associées.
Restrictions
- Spearfishing is permitted only while free-diving (breath-hold); harvesting any marine life while using SCUBA or any self-contained underwater breathing apparatus is prohibited (SI 17 of 1982; Fisheries Resources Act 2020 s.87(2)(l)).
- Spear guns and spearfishing apparatus are prohibited inside marine reserves and marine protected areas.
- Gill nets and other nets (except cast nets) are prohibited within marine reserve zones.
The Fisheries Resources Act 2020 classifies poles spears, hand spears, kill spike, spearfishing mask, Hawaiian sling and elastic/pneumatic/mechanically powered spear guns or slings as 'fishing gear', so all spearfishing is subject to fisheries licensing and gear rules.
Ce que vous pouvez prélever
Limites de capture et espèces protégées
Quotas journaliers, tailles minimales et espèces qui ne doivent jamais être prélevées.
Limite journalière
unknown
Tailles minimales
- Spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) - carapacemin 7.62 cm
- Queen conch (Strombus gigas) - shell lengthmin 17.78 cm
- Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) - total length (min)min 50.8 cm
Espèces protégées — ne pas prélever
- ProtégéeParrotfish (all species) and other grazers - doctor fish / surgeonfish / tangs (no take, sale or possession)
- ProtégéeBonefish (catch-and-release sport fishing only; possession prohibited)
- ProtégéeTarpon (catch-and-release sport fishing only; possession prohibited)
- ProtégéePermit (catch-and-release sport fishing only; possession prohibited)
- ProtégéeMarine turtles (all species)
- ProtégéeWhale sharks
- ProtégéeNurse sharks
- ProtégéeCorals (possession illegal except licensed black coral)
Lobster: min carapace 3 in (7.62 cm) / min tail weight 4 oz, no soft-shell or berried females. Conch: min shell 7 in (17.78 cm). Nassau grouper: legal 20-30 in total length, landed whole. Sizes converted from inches as published by the Belize Fisheries Department.
Qui peut pêcher
Visiteurs et résidents
Comment les règles diffèrent pour les visiteurs étrangers et les résidents locaux.
Visiteurs étrangers
AutoriséeExigences
- Must hold a valid Belize sport fishing licence (daily/weekly/annual) regardless of nationality.
- Must comply with free-diving-only rule, marine-reserve prohibitions, closed seasons, size limits and protected-species list.
Restrictions
- No SCUBA harvesting of marine life.
- No spearfishing or spear-gun use inside marine reserves / protected areas.
- Foreigners aged 65+ are NOT exempt from the licence requirement (only citizens and permanent residents aged 65+ are exempt).
Tourists routinely free-dive spearfish outside protected areas; the same fishing licence and conservation rules apply to visitors as to residents.
Résidents
Sport fishing licence; commercial fishers require a Fisherfolk and Fishing Vessel licence
Exigences
- Valid fishing licence (sport or commercial as applicable).
- Compliance with free-diving-only rule, closed seasons, size limits and protected-species list.
Avantages
- Citizens and permanent residents aged 65 and over are exempt from the licensing requirement.
- In Bacalar Chico, only local residents may fish for subsistence purposes.
Commercial harvesting is generally channelled through fishing cooperatives and managed-access areas; recreational free-dive spearfishing by residents follows the same national rules.
Où sur la côte
Zones autorisées et interdites
Zones nommées ouvertes ou fermées à la chasse sous-marine. Voir l'image complète sur la carte interactive.
Zones autorisées
Spearfishing by free-diving (breath-hold) is permitted in general fishing waters that are not inside a marine reserve, national park or other no-take protected area, subject to a fishing licence, closed seasons, size limits and the protected-species list. Use of SCUBA to take marine life is prohibited everywhere.
Free-diving only (no SCUBA); valid fishing licence required; no protected species; closed seasons and size limits apply.
Zones interdites
- Hol Chan Marine Reservemarine reserve
Oldest marine reserve in Belize, south of Ambergris Caye. Spear fishing is expressly prohibited within the reserve zones; Zone A is a full no-take area where no fishing gears are allowed except fins and mask; in Zones B and C destructive methods such as spear fishing and netting are prohibited.
- Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reservenational park and marine reserve
On northern Ambergris Caye, established 1996 (15,530 acres). Use of spear guns is prohibited; only Bacalar Chico residents may fish for subsistence purposes.
- All Belize marine reserves and marine protected areas (general)marine reserve / no-take zone
Within marine reserves, the use of gill nets, spear guns and SCUBA diving for fishing is prohibited. Several reserves contain conservation / no-take zones closed to all fishing. Examples of no-take reserves declared closed to all fishing include South Water Caye, Sapodilla Cayes and Pelican Cayes.
Conditions sur l'eau
Conditions en direct
Aperçu marin et météo en direct près d'un point de référence côtier en Belize, fourni par Open-Meteo. Les conditions varient le long de la côte — à considérer comme indicatives.
Conditions marines et météo en direct près de Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
À qui s'adresser
Autorités
Les organismes officiels responsables de la pêche et des licences.
Belize Fisheries Department
fisheries authority
fisheries.gov.bzHotline to report illegal fishing: +501-224-4552 / +501-223-2187Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI)
coastal management authority (sport fishing licences)
coastalzonebelize.org+501-223-5739 / +501-223-0719Hol Chan Marine Reserve
marine protected area manager
D'où cela provient
Sources
Chaque affirmation sur cette page renvoie à l'une de ces références.
- [01]
Fisheries Resources Act, No. 7 of 2020 (full text, FAOLEX/FAO)
Officiellefaolex.fao.orgConsulté le juin 14 - [02]
Fisheries Resources Act No. 7 of 2020 (National Assembly of Belize)
Officiellenationalassembly.gov.bzConsulté le juin 14 - [03]
Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Amendment) Regulations, S.I. No. 114 of 2008 (FAOLEX)
Officiellefaolex.fao.orgConsulté le juin 14 - [04]
Belize Fisheries Department - Regulations (closed seasons, size limits, protected species, gear restrictions)
Officiellefisheries.gov.bzConsulté le juin 14 - [05]
Hol Chan Marine Reserve - Zones & Regulations
Officielleholchanmarinereserve.orgConsulté le juin 14 - [06]
Belize Lionfish Project - Fishery Regulations (SCUBA harvesting prohibition, SI 17 of 1982)
Secondairebelizelionfish.orgConsulté le juin 14 - [07]
WCS Newsroom - Belize Limits Reef Fishing (parrotfish/grazer protection; spearfishing banned within marine reserves)
Secondairenewsroom.wcs.orgConsulté le juin 14 - [08]
Wikipedia - Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve (spear gun prohibition, coordinates)
Secondaireen.wikipedia.orgConsulté le juin 14 - [09]
Ambergris Caye Help - What is the law on spearfishing? (free-diving allowed, SCUBA prohibited, marine reserve prohibition)
Secondaireambergriscaye.comConsulté le juin 14 - [10]
Nauti by Nature Belize - Belize Sport Fishing Licence cost and CZMAI issuance
Secondairenautibynaturebelize.comConsulté le juin 14
Notes du chercheur
Spearfishing in Belize is RESTRICTED, not banned: it is legal only while free-diving (breath-hold) outside marine protected areas, with a fishing licence. The decisive legal rules are (1) the Fisheries Resources Act, No. 7 of 2020 which makes spear guns / Hawaiian sling / spears 'fishing gear' (s.2) and empowers regulation/prohibition of SCUBA (s.87(2)(l)); (2) the long-standing Fisheries Regulations SI 17 of 1982 prohibiting harvest of marine life while SCUBA diving; and (3) per-reserve regulations such as Hol Chan (S.I. 114/2008) and Bacalar Chico that ban spear fishing/spear guns inside the reserves. Verbatim text for the Act 2020 'fishing gear' definition and the SCUBA regulation power, and for the Hol Chan S.I. 114/2008 spear-fishing prohibition, was extracted from the cited FAOLEX PDFs. The official National Assembly PDF of the 2020 Act uses a shifted/embedded font that does not extract as clean text; the FAOLEX copy (blz197105.pdf) was used for verbatim quotation instead and is the same instrument. The SI 17 of 1982 quotation is taken from the Belize Lionfish Project (a Fisheries-Department-affiliated programme) as the primary text of that 1982 SI was not retrievable online; data_confidence is high overall because the core prohibitions are confirmed across multiple official sources. Size limits were converted from the inch values published by the Belize Fisheries Department (lobster carapace 3 in = 7.62 cm; conch shell 7 in = 17.78 cm; Nassau grouper 20 in = 50.8 cm minimum). Coordinates for Hol Chan and Bacalar Chico are approximate centroids.
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