{
  "destination": "belize",
  "name": "Belize",
  "question": "Do I need a fishing licence on a yacht charter in Belize?",
  "answer": "Yes: every guest who fishes in Belize needs a CZMAI sport fishing licence, which costs BZ$20 for a day or BZ$50 for a week, both sold online. Bonefish, tarpon and permit are strictly catch and release, and keeping one is illegal.",
  "canonical_url": "https://catamaranindex.com/fishing/belize/",
  "markdown_url": "https://catamaranindex.com/fishing/belize.md",
  "destination_url": "https://catamaranindex.com/belize/",
  "best_time_url": "https://catamaranindex.com/best-time/belize/",
  "api_url": "https://catamaranindex.com/api/fishing/belize.json",
  "book_url": "https://catamaranindex.com/go/samboat?dest=belize&pos=api",
  "checked": "2026-10-28",
  "licence": {
    "needed": "yes",
    "summary": "Yes, every angler (CZMAI sport licence)",
    "cost_summary": "BZ$20 for 1 day; BZ$50 for 1 week (both online)",
    "issuer": "Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute (CZMAI) – Sport Fishing Program",
    "price": {
      "text": "BZ$20 for 1 day, BZ$50 for 1 week, BZ$100 for 1 year (Sport Fishing Regulations 2009, Schedule II). The annual licence is reportedly residents-only and in person (search summary).",
      "status": "unconfirmed"
    },
    "validity": {
      "text": "1 day / 1 week / 1 year",
      "status": "official"
    },
    "notes": [
      {
        "text": "Sport Fishing Regulations S.I. 114/2009 (in force 14 Sep 2009).",
        "status": "official"
      },
      {
        "text": "The licence must be shown on request; the Minister may waive fees.",
        "status": "official"
      },
      {
        "text": "Day and week licences are sold online.",
        "status": "official"
      }
    ],
    "source": {
      "id": "fish_belize_3",
      "name": "CZMAI (Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute)",
      "title": "CZMAI licence portal",
      "url": "https://apps.coastalzonebelize.org/",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Official source.",
      "tier": "official"
    }
  },
  "catch_limits_summary": "Bonefish, tarpon and permit: release only",
  "limits": [
    {
      "text": "Bonefish, tarpon and permit: catch & release only; possession is illegal",
      "status": "official"
    },
    {
      "text": "Nassau grouper: closed 1 Dec–31 Mar; slot 20–30 in; landed whole",
      "status": "official"
    },
    {
      "text": "Lobster: closed 1 Mar–30 Jun; carapace ≥3.25 in; tail ≥4.5 oz",
      "status": "official"
    },
    {
      "text": "Conch: closed 1 Jul–30 Sep; shell >7 in",
      "status": "official"
    },
    {
      "text": "Protected: parrotfish, tangs/surgeonfish, angelfish, triggerfish, all rays, whale and nurse sharks. Other sharks need a special licence and are closed 1 May–31 Oct",
      "status": "official"
    },
    {
      "text": "Within 2 miles of Turneffe, Glover's and Lighthouse atolls: no shark fishing, no hooks over 12/0, no drifting longlines",
      "status": "official"
    },
    {
      "text": "No fishing with scuba, poison or explosives (Turneffe)",
      "status": "official"
    }
  ],
  "spearfishing": [
    {
      "text": "We could not confirm spearfishing rules for Belize.",
      "status": "not_verified"
    }
  ],
  "protected_areas": [
    {
      "text": "Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve: conservation zones (Mauger Caye, Dog Flea & Blackbird Caye, Calabash Reef, Long Bogue, Caye Bokel) allow catch & release with a sport licence; Zone VII Preservation is no entry",
      "status": "official"
    },
    {
      "text": "Hol Chan Marine Reserve: no-take zones; Bajos conservation zones allow catch & release",
      "status": "official"
    },
    {
      "text": "Glover's Reef Marine Reserve: fishing only in the General Use Zone",
      "status": "official"
    },
    {
      "text": "Port Honduras Marine Reserve: replenishment zone (non-extractive)",
      "status": "official"
    },
    {
      "text": "Lighthouse Reef (2-mile shark/hook rules)",
      "status": "official"
    }
  ],
  "species": [
    {
      "common_name": "Permit",
      "scientific_name": "Trachinotus falcatus",
      "method": "flats/fly — C&R only",
      "best_months": "Apr–Sep (peak Jun–Aug)",
      "best_months_status": "secondary",
      "best_months_source": {
        "id": "fish_belize_9",
        "name": "Blue Bonefish Belize (fishing guide)",
        "title": "Blue Bonefish calendar",
        "url": "https://bluebonefishbelize.com/2020/09/the-best-times-to-fish-belize-with-calendar-tides/",
        "checked": "2026-10-28",
        "note": "Secondary source (not official).",
        "tier": "secondary"
      },
      "iucn_status": {
        "code": "LC",
        "category": "Least Concern",
        "assessed": "21 August 2012",
        "scope": "global, IUCN Red List 2025-2, as shown on FishBase"
      },
      "endemic": false,
      "local_rule": null,
      "source": {
        "id": "fishbase_trachinotus_falcatus",
        "name": "FishBase",
        "title": "Trachinotus falcatus species summary",
        "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Trachinotus-falcatus.html",
        "checked": "2026-10-28",
        "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
        "tier": "reference"
      }
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Bonefish",
      "scientific_name": "Albula vulpes",
      "method": "flats/fly — C&R only",
      "best_months": "year-round",
      "best_months_status": "secondary",
      "best_months_source": {
        "id": "fish_belize_9",
        "name": "Blue Bonefish Belize (fishing guide)",
        "title": "Blue Bonefish calendar",
        "url": "https://bluebonefishbelize.com/2020/09/the-best-times-to-fish-belize-with-calendar-tides/",
        "checked": "2026-10-28",
        "note": "Secondary source (not official).",
        "tier": "secondary"
      },
      "iucn_status": {
        "code": "NT",
        "category": "Near Threatened",
        "assessed": "29 March 2011",
        "scope": "global, IUCN Red List 2025-2, as shown on FishBase"
      },
      "endemic": false,
      "local_rule": null,
      "source": {
        "id": "fishbase_albula_vulpes",
        "name": "FishBase",
        "title": "Albula vulpes species summary",
        "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Albula-vulpes.html",
        "checked": "2026-10-28",
        "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
        "tier": "reference"
      }
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Tarpon",
      "scientific_name": "Megalops atlanticus",
      "method": "flats, lagoon and river — C&R only",
      "best_months": "migratory peak Jun–Aug; residents year-round",
      "best_months_status": "secondary",
      "best_months_source": {
        "id": "fish_belize_9",
        "name": "Blue Bonefish Belize (fishing guide)",
        "title": "Blue Bonefish calendar",
        "url": "https://bluebonefishbelize.com/2020/09/the-best-times-to-fish-belize-with-calendar-tides/",
        "checked": "2026-10-28",
        "note": "Secondary source (not official).",
        "tier": "secondary"
      },
      "iucn_status": {
        "code": "VU",
        "category": "Vulnerable",
        "assessed": "12 June 2018",
        "scope": "global, IUCN Red List 2025-2, as shown on FishBase"
      },
      "endemic": false,
      "local_rule": null,
      "source": {
        "id": "fishbase_megalops_atlanticus",
        "name": "FishBase",
        "title": "Megalops atlanticus species summary",
        "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Megalops-atlanticus.html",
        "checked": "2026-10-28",
        "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
        "tier": "reference"
      }
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Nassau grouper",
      "scientific_name": "Epinephelus striatus",
      "method": "bottom",
      "best_months": null,
      "best_months_status": "not_verified",
      "best_months_source": null,
      "iucn_status": {
        "code": "CR",
        "category": "Critically Endangered",
        "assessed": "18 November 2016",
        "scope": "global, IUCN Red List 2025-2, as shown on FishBase"
      },
      "endemic": false,
      "local_rule": "Belize closed 1 Dec–31 Mar, slot 20–30 in",
      "source": {
        "id": "fishbase_epinephelus_striatus",
        "name": "FishBase",
        "title": "Epinephelus striatus species summary",
        "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Epinephelus-striatus.html",
        "checked": "2026-10-28",
        "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
        "tier": "reference"
      }
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Great barracuda",
      "scientific_name": "Sphyraena barracuda",
      "method": "flats/trolling",
      "best_months": null,
      "best_months_status": "not_verified",
      "best_months_source": null,
      "iucn_status": {
        "code": "LC",
        "category": "Least Concern",
        "assessed": "29 January 2013",
        "scope": "global, IUCN Red List 2025-2, as shown on FishBase"
      },
      "endemic": false,
      "local_rule": null,
      "source": {
        "id": "fishbase_sphyraena_barracuda",
        "name": "FishBase",
        "title": "Sphyraena barracuda species summary",
        "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Sphyraena-barracuda.html",
        "checked": "2026-10-28",
        "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
        "tier": "reference"
      }
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Mutton snapper",
      "scientific_name": "Lutjanus analis",
      "method": "bottom/flats",
      "best_months": null,
      "best_months_status": "not_verified",
      "best_months_source": null,
      "iucn_status": {
        "code": "NT",
        "category": "Near Threatened",
        "assessed": "10 October 2015",
        "scope": "global, IUCN Red List 2025-2, as shown on FishBase"
      },
      "endemic": false,
      "local_rule": null,
      "source": {
        "id": "fishbase_lutjanus_analis",
        "name": "FishBase",
        "title": "Lutjanus analis species summary",
        "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Lutjanus-analis.html",
        "checked": "2026-10-28",
        "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
        "tier": "reference"
      }
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Yellowtail snapper",
      "scientific_name": "Ocyurus chrysurus",
      "method": "bottom",
      "best_months": null,
      "best_months_status": "not_verified",
      "best_months_source": null,
      "iucn_status": {
        "code": "DD",
        "category": "Data deficient",
        "assessed": "10 October 2015",
        "scope": "global, IUCN Red List 2025-2, as shown on FishBase"
      },
      "endemic": false,
      "local_rule": null,
      "source": {
        "id": "fishbase_ocyurus_chrysurus",
        "name": "FishBase",
        "title": "Ocyurus chrysurus species summary",
        "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Ocyurus-chrysurus.html",
        "checked": "2026-10-28",
        "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
        "tier": "reference"
      }
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Sailfish",
      "scientific_name": "Istiophorus platypterus",
      "method": "offshore trolling",
      "best_months": null,
      "best_months_status": "not_verified",
      "best_months_source": null,
      "iucn_status": {
        "code": "VU",
        "category": "Vulnerable",
        "assessed": "01 May 2021",
        "scope": "global, IUCN Red List 2025-2, as shown on FishBase"
      },
      "endemic": false,
      "local_rule": null,
      "source": {
        "id": "fishbase_istiophorus_platypterus",
        "name": "FishBase",
        "title": "Istiophorus platypterus species summary",
        "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Istiophorus-platypterus.html",
        "checked": "2026-10-28",
        "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
        "tier": "reference"
      }
    }
  ],
  "spots": [
    {
      "name": "Turneffe Atoll",
      "why": "permit, grand slam; conservation zones are C&R",
      "source": "Belize booklet + secondary",
      "status": "as named"
    },
    {
      "name": "Placencia",
      "why": "permit flats, river tarpon May–Jun",
      "source": "secondary: oneoutdoors.org, marlonleslie.com",
      "status": "secondary"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambergris Caye / Hol Chan Bajos",
      "why": "accessible flats; C&R in conservation zones",
      "source": "secondary + holchanmarinereserve.org",
      "status": "secondary"
    },
    {
      "name": "Glover's Reef (General Use Zone only)",
      "why": "atoll",
      "source": "fisheries.gov.bz/grmr (via search summary)",
      "status": "as named"
    }
  ],
  "charter_guest_rules": "Every guest who fishes buys a CZMAI sport licence online for a day or a week. Release all bonefish, tarpon and permit. Check the reserve zone before anchoring.",
  "not_verified": [
    "Best months for Nassau grouper, Great barracuda, Mutton snapper, Yellowtail snapper, Sailfish"
  ],
  "status_legend": {
    "official": "Read in an official source (government, statutory body or the legal text).",
    "secondary": "From a non-government source (guide, club, operator or news); not official.",
    "unconfirmed": "An official rule we could only read in a search summary, because we could not open the official text.",
    "not_verified": "We could not confirm it.",
    "note": "status is our reading of the dataset's own wording: \"secondary\" = non-government source; \"unconfirmed\" = official rule read only in a search summary; \"not_verified\" = a gap."
  },
  "caveat": "Rules change. Check with the authority or the charter company before fishing. Our summaries (answer, summary, cost_summary, catch_limits_summary) are written from the labelled facts.",
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "fish_belize_1",
      "name": "FAOLEX (FAO legal database)",
      "title": "Sport Fishing Regulations 2009 (FAOLEX)",
      "url": "https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/BLZ223980.pdf",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Official text hosted by a third party.",
      "tier": "official-copy"
    },
    {
      "id": "fish_belize_2",
      "name": "Turneffe Atoll Trust (hosts the Belize Fisheries booklet)",
      "title": "Fishing Regulations of Belize booklet (2022)",
      "url": "https://visitturneffe.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fishing-Regulations-of-Belize-Booklet-New-Map_Final_2022_compressed.pdf",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Official text hosted by a third party.",
      "tier": "official-copy"
    },
    {
      "id": "fish_belize_3",
      "name": "CZMAI (Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute)",
      "title": "CZMAI licence portal",
      "url": "https://apps.coastalzonebelize.org/",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Official source.",
      "tier": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "fish_belize_4",
      "name": "CZMAI (Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute)",
      "title": "CZMAI Sport Fishing Program",
      "url": "https://www.coastalzonebelize.org/sports-fishing-program-unit/",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Official source.",
      "tier": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "fish_belize_5",
      "name": "Belize Fisheries Department",
      "title": "Fisheries Dept – Hol Chan",
      "url": "https://fisheries.gov.bz/hcmr/",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Official source.",
      "tier": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "fish_belize_6",
      "name": "Belize Fisheries Department",
      "title": "Fisheries Dept – Glover's Reef",
      "url": "https://fisheries.gov.bz/grmr/",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Official source.",
      "tier": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "fish_belize_7",
      "name": "Belize Fisheries Department",
      "title": "Fisheries Dept – Port Honduras",
      "url": "https://fisheries.gov.bz/phmr/",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Official source.",
      "tier": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "fish_belize_8",
      "name": "Hol Chan Marine Reserve",
      "title": "Hol Chan zones",
      "url": "https://www.holchanmarinereserve.org/zones/",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Official source.",
      "tier": "official"
    },
    {
      "id": "fish_belize_9",
      "name": "Blue Bonefish Belize (fishing guide)",
      "title": "Blue Bonefish calendar",
      "url": "https://bluebonefishbelize.com/2020/09/the-best-times-to-fish-belize-with-calendar-tides/",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Secondary source (not official).",
      "tier": "secondary"
    },
    {
      "id": "fishbase_trachinotus_falcatus",
      "name": "FishBase",
      "title": "Trachinotus falcatus species summary",
      "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Trachinotus-falcatus.html",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
      "tier": "reference"
    },
    {
      "id": "fishbase_albula_vulpes",
      "name": "FishBase",
      "title": "Albula vulpes species summary",
      "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Albula-vulpes.html",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
      "tier": "reference"
    },
    {
      "id": "fishbase_megalops_atlanticus",
      "name": "FishBase",
      "title": "Megalops atlanticus species summary",
      "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Megalops-atlanticus.html",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
      "tier": "reference"
    },
    {
      "id": "fishbase_epinephelus_striatus",
      "name": "FishBase",
      "title": "Epinephelus striatus species summary",
      "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Epinephelus-striatus.html",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
      "tier": "reference"
    },
    {
      "id": "fishbase_sphyraena_barracuda",
      "name": "FishBase",
      "title": "Sphyraena barracuda species summary",
      "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Sphyraena-barracuda.html",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
      "tier": "reference"
    },
    {
      "id": "fishbase_lutjanus_analis",
      "name": "FishBase",
      "title": "Lutjanus analis species summary",
      "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Lutjanus-analis.html",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
      "tier": "reference"
    },
    {
      "id": "fishbase_ocyurus_chrysurus",
      "name": "FishBase",
      "title": "Ocyurus chrysurus species summary",
      "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Ocyurus-chrysurus.html",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
      "tier": "reference"
    },
    {
      "id": "fishbase_istiophorus_platypterus",
      "name": "FishBase",
      "title": "Istiophorus platypterus species summary",
      "url": "https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Istiophorus-platypterus.html",
      "checked": "2026-10-28",
      "note": "Reference database (FishBase species summary; IUCN status as FishBase shows it, Red List 2025-2 global).",
      "tier": "reference"
    }
  ],
  "attribution": "Cite \"Catamaran Index\" with a link to the canonical_url of the page the figure comes from, and name the original source listed with it.",
  "affiliate_note": "book_url links go through /go/samboat, an affiliate link: Catamaran Index may earn a commission on bookings, at no extra cost to the traveller. It never changes the data."
}