Fisheries management at the tri-national border between Belize, Guatemala and Honduras

Abstract

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System has considerably changed after a series of natural disturbances, especially hurricanes and extreme coral bleaching, and is further impacted by anthropogenic threats. Located at a tri-national border between Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, the Sapodilla Cayes Range is specifically impacted by tourism, commercial fishing and other anthropogenic activities occurring in the three countries and by the fact that Belize only claims 3 nautical miles of Exclusive Economic Zone in the south pending a settlement to a border dispute with Guatemala. This area represents a source of income and food to several coastal communities and to Belize's economy. Key fisheries products harvested in the area by the three countries are the same but fisheries legislations and the number of fishermen are different, creating conflicts between fishermen. This paper summarizes the key problems that arise in southern Belizean fishing waters and the efforts made by the three countries to ensure the sustainability of the fishery.