NATFISH Seafood Seasons
Belize's regulated seafood seasons help protect breeding cycles, encourage responsible fishing and sustain fisher livelihoods for future generations. Use this guide to understand the standard national seasons, then contact NATFISH to confirm current product availability.
Belize's national fisheries seasons. The dates below summarise the standing seasons set for the country's fisheries. For what NATFISH has available right now, and in what form, ask the co-operative.
Status is calculated from today's date against the standard regulatory period only. Confirm every requirement with NATFISH and with the Belize Fisheries Department before you commit.
Contact NATFISH for availability
Contact NATFISH for availability
Contact NATFISH for availability
Contact NATFISH for availability
The season may close earlier than the date shown when the national catch quota is reached.
Season dates summarise standing Belize Fisheries regulations and may change through quota closures or official management notices. A regulatory open season does not guarantee NATFISH product availability. Please contact NATFISH before making purchasing arrangements.
The season dates and legal sizes people ask about most, and what an open season does and does not mean.
The standard open season for Caribbean spiny lobster runs from 1 July to 28 February, or 29 February in a leap year. The closed season runs from 1 March to 30 June.
The standard open season for queen conch runs from 1 October to 30 June, with a closed season from 1 July to 30 September. It may close earlier than that date when the national catch quota is reached.
A minimum carapace length of 3 inches and a minimum tail weight of 4 ounces.
A minimum shell length of 7 inches, a minimum market-clean weight of 3 ounces and a minimum fillet weight of 2.75 ounces.
No. A regulatory open season is not a stock statement. Season dates summarise standing Belize Fisheries regulations and can change through quota closures or official management notices, so please contact NatFish to confirm current availability before making purchasing arrangements.
Season dates describe regulation, not stock. The team can confirm what is actually available for your requirement.
