Catch and release fishing is a great way to help protect threatened fish species, but it requires the use of proven techniques ensuring continued fish health.

BEST PRACTICES FOR CATCH AND RELEASE FISHING Sport Fishing In Belize Hooks  Hooking location and time removal affect survival rate

 Always use barbless hooks

 When fishing with bait, use circle hooks CZMAI now hosts the Belize Game Fishing Association (BGFA) Perpetual Trophy Fight Time

 Shorter fight time increases survival

 Tackle should match conditions and size of fish

 Always land fish before it is exhausted and loses equilibrium when released

 If fish loses equilibrium after you land it, revive it until it can Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute swim upright Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries, & Sustainable Development Princess Margret Drive Handling 2nd Floor Coastal Zone Complex  Minimize handling of fish: slime and scales can be easily P.O. Box 1884 damaged and removed Belize City, Belize Mission  Use hemostats/ pliers to quickly remove hooks while Phone: 223-0719/223-5739 keeping the fish in the water Fax: 223-5738 “To support the allocation, sustainable use and planned  Avoid exposing fish to air, even when taking pictures, Website: www.coastalzonebelize.org development of Belize’s Coastal Resources through limit exposure to 15 seconds E-mail : [email protected] increased knowledge and building alliances, for the benefit  Avoid touching the gills, it can cause damage and impair of all Belizeans and the global community.” breathing Legislation that protect Fish Species Designated What is Sport Fishing? Sport fishing Species For Sport Fishing Common Name Scientific Name Sport fishing is fishing that is done either for pleasure or competition, In 2009, the Government of Belize enacted two sport fishing regulation to where the fish is caught and released, and not retained for the White Marlin Tetrapturus albidus protect sport fishing species. These are: commercial purpose of selling, exporting, or otherwise. Makaira nigricans (i) Coastal Zone Management Authority ( Sport Fishing) Regulations, Blue Marlin "Catch and Release" means the act of catching fish and then Sailfish Istiophorus platypterus immediately releasing the fish into the waters in the same state that implemented by CZMAI and the fish was landed. (ii) Fisheries ( Species Designation Protection) Regulations, implemented Atlantic sailfish Istiophorus albicans Belize is renowned around the world as a key sport fishing by the Fisheries Department. Swordfish Xiphias gladius destination, offering anglers the opportunity for a “Grand Slam” flat The CZMA specifically has the mandate to safe guard and protect 3 key fishing experience. Cobia Rachycentron canadwn sport fishing fish species: (i) Bonefish (Albula vulpes), (ii) Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), and (iii) Permit ( Trachinotus falcatus). Dolphin fish Coryphaern hippurus Sport fishing includes: Wahoo Acanthocybiurn solandri  Fishing from shore  Reef fishing Sport Fishing Licenses Spanish Mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus  Deep sea fishing  Coral flat fishing King Mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla  Salt water fly fishing  Fishing tournaments With the passage of the CZMA (Sport Fishing) Regulations, CZMAI has the mandate to implement a Sport Fishing License Program. Scomberomorus regalis Cero Licenses can be purchased at CZMAI’s office, on-line at Skip jack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis Popular Sport Fishing Tournaments www.coastalzonebelize.org or at authorized agents : Big eye tuna Thunnes obesus Go Fish Belize Placencia Tourism Center Sittee River Marina Boca del Rio Placencia Sittee Point, Dangriga Little tunny Euthynuss alletteratus *Tres Pescados Slam San Pedro 523-4045 Tel: 533-7888 Fishing Tournament Sword spine snook Centropomus ensiferus Tel – 226-3121 Ambergris Caye *Annual Blue Water Classic

Fishing Tournament Fat snook Centropomus parallelus

Dorado Rodeo Ambergris Caye Sport Fishing Fee Schedule: Tarpon snook Centropomus pectirntus Fishing Tournament *CZMAI has Lobotes surtnamensis Ambergris Caye Fishing Period Fees in Belize Dollars Mexican snook co-sponsored the event in form of Tripletail Centropomus poeyi *Placencia Yamaha Saltwater cash prizes One (1) day $20.00 Fishing Tournament One (1) week $50.00 Pompano Alectis ciliaris Placencia Peninsula One (1) year $100.00 Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus Dia de San Pedro Fishing Tournament **Anglers wishing to purchase 1 year licenses need to apply in person at CZMAI’s Palometa pompano Trachinotus goodei San Pedro office and must present a valid ID **