Belize Announces Closure of Queen Conch Fishing Season to Protect Marine Life

April 26, 2023
by Larry Waight +

The Belize Fisheries Department has announced the closure of the Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) fishing season starting from May 14, 2023. The decision comes in accordance with Statutory Instrument No. 54 of 2012 and was declared by Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation. The closure is a result of reaching the Queen Conch Production Quota for the 2022-2023 fishing season.

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The closure will last until the beginning of the next fishing season on October 1, 2023. Fishers and the public have been advised to cease all conch fishing activities during this period. Belize has long been a popular destination for seafood enthusiasts, with the Queen Conch being one of its most sought-after delicacies.

The Belize Fisheries Department has also urged all establishments and individuals to use, consume, and dispose of any Queen Conch meat in their possession on or before May 14, 2023. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in prosecution in a Court of Law, as per the Fisheries Regulations. This measure aims to ensure the protection and preservation of the Queen Conch population in Belize’s waters, allowing for sustainable use of this valuable marine resource.

The closure of the Queen Conch fishing season highlights Belize’s commitment to sustainable marine practices, ensuring the continued enjoyment of its seafood by locals and tourists alike. Visitors to the country during this period are encouraged to indulge in the wide variety of other seafood options available, such as snapper, and grouper while respecting the closure of the Queen Conch fishing season.