The Belize Fisheries Department hereby informs the Public that it will commence the renewal of fisher folk licenses on January 4th, 2016. A grace period for renewals will be in place until January 31st, 2016.
Starting January 2016, fishers will have access to their two main fishing areas. This process seeks to formalize the current fishing patterns and give fishers the opportunity to collaborate in the management of the resources in their respective areas. Fishers are advised to bring along all pertinent documents upon renewal to facilitate the process. Licensing will be carried out for the following communities at the Belize Fisheries Department Office in Belize City on the dates specified below:
* Sartenja, Copper Bank, Chunox Between January 4 – January 8
* Hopkins, Dangriga, Seine Bight, Riversdale, Placencia between January 11 – January 15
* Belize City, San Pedro, Caye Caulker between January 18 – January 22
Note: Punta Gorda (and surrounding villages), Monkey River and Independence are asked to renew ONLY at the Punta Gorda Fisheries Department Office from 04th January – 29th January.
FISHERFOLK LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWALS
a) Fishers must submit their expired fisher folk/ vessel license
b) Present a valid Social Security Card or a valid Passport
c) *Proof of residency (Copy of one recent (3 months) utility bill: Electricity, Water or Telephone) and
d) **Proof of sale in Belize (Receipts of sale of fishery products from fishermen cooperative, restaurant, hotel, etc.)
e) Fill Fisher folk renewal application form and
f) Compliance with daily catch logs (for Port Honduras Marine Reserve and Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve Managed Access license renewals)
TYPE PRICE
Fisher folk License $25
Note: *If no utility bill is available then the applicant is required to present the last three (3) months rental receipt and, an affidavit or letter from the landlord stating that the applicant is residing at his/her residence for the last three (3) months and this must be signed by a Justice of the Peace.
**If the receipt is not in the name of the applicant, the person whose name appears on the receipt should authorize the applicant, in writing, to use the bill.
In case of loss of fisher folk or vessel license, the fisher must present the receipt issued by the Police Department or the report stating the loss of the license (Fisher folk or vessel license).
COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL LICENSE
Commercial Fishing Vessel owners are hereby informed that the fees for the vessel license will be waived for the period January 1st – February 28th, 2016 in an effort to provide the time and flexibility for vessels to comply with the requirements under the vessel color coding scheme under the Managed Access program. The vessel coloring specifications will be provided in January.
VESSEL LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
(a) Owner or master of the vessel must PRESENT a valid commercial fisher folk license.
(b) Vessel must PRESENT a valid Sea Worthy Certificate issued by the Belize Port Authority
