Photo c2018 Linda Searle Gallows Point Reef
In 2002 Fisheries legislation was amended protecting all sea turtles in Belize.  In 1993 legislation was passed protecting hawksbill sea turtles.  There have been various legislation enacted governing harvest through the implementation of size limits and seasons.  Harvest of sea turtles is currently permitted for cultural use, but a special permit must be applied for through the Fisheries Administrator.  Illegal harvest of loggerhead, greens and hawksbill turtles continues to occur. The history of legislation governing sea turtles is summarized herein.

LINKS

Belize section in: Bräutigam, A. and Eckert, K.L. (2006). Turning the Tide: Exploitation, Trade and Management of Marine Turtles in the Lesser Antilles, Central America, Colombia and Venezuela. TRAFFIC International, Cambridge, UK.

 SI No 66 of 2002 Fisheries Act Chapter 210

No person shall fish for in the waters of Belize or buy, sell or have in their possession any turtle of the species:
(a) Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill Turtle);
(b) Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Turtle):
(c) Chelonia mydas (Green Turtle);
(d) Dermochelys coriacea (Leatherback Turtle);
(e) Lepidochelys kempii (Kemp Ridley Turtle);​
(f)) Lepidochelys olivacea (Olive Ridley Turtle).

No person shall take any turtle found on land; disturb, take, buy, sell or have in his possession any turtle or turtle eggs, or interfere with any turtle nest, except under written permission by the Fisheries Administrator.

Any person who requires any marine turtle except of the species Eretmochelys imbricata, for traditional or cultural use, must first apply to the Fisheries Administrator in writing, stating the amount and specific purpose for such use.

Section 14:01 states:
Any person who contravenes Regulations 10, 11, 13 and 14, commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars (US $500) per turtle or part of a turtle or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both such fine and imprisonment.
BELIZE FISHERIES ACT CHAPTER 210 REVISED EDITION 2003 SHOWING THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS AS AT 31ST OCTOBER, 2003
​
Belize Statutory Instrument No 66 of 2002
​Earlier this century, a subadult green sea turtle could be purchased for as little as US $35, while larger ones sold for US $50.  Before 2002, ECOMAR would raise funds from visitors and purchase turtles from fishermen to return to the wild.  More than 10 years later ECOMAR was contacted by the Sea Turtle Conservancy who reported that one of the saved turtles was observed nesting at the Tortuguero nesting beach in Costa Rica! 

Thank you for you support!
Photo c 2018 John Searle

Fishery Regulations 1997

This regulation protected the juvenile sea turtles that fetched less income
The following actions were prohibited under the 1977 Fishery Regulations:
  • ​the export, or attempted export, of any turtle or articles made from any part of a turtle unless under a licence granted by the relevant minister;
  • the take of turtles “found on the shores of Belize and adjacent cays thereof”;
  • the setting or attempted setting of any net or seine or other instrument with the intent of taking turtles within 100 yards of the shores of Belize or of the adjacent cays;
  • the take or possession of any turtle or turtle eggs during a closed season from 1 June to 31 August; and
  • the take, purchase, sale or possession of turtles under the following weights:
    • Loggerhead: 30 lb (13 kg)
    • Green Turtle: 50 lb (23 kg)
    • Hawksbill Turtle: 50 lb (23 kg)
 

The Regulations further provided for:
  • the issuance of a commercial fisher’s licence in order to take turtles; and
  • the levying of a maximum fine of $500 Belize dollars (US $250) for persons convicted of violating the regulations.
Hawksbill sea turtles supplied the tortoiseshell industry with their exquisite shells.  Illegal sales still continue in small quantities in Belize.  If you see products made from hawksbill shell, please photograph and report immediately.
Photo c 2018 John Searle

Fisheries Amendment Act 1993

1993 regulations amended to protect the breeding adults, but most turtles harvested and sold exceeded this limit since they fetched a greater price. 
The 1993 amendment ​revised the restrictions on the take of marine turtles, by prohibiting:
  • the take, sale, purchase or possession of hawksbill turtles at all times;
  • the take, sale, purchase or possession of any marine turtle during a six-month closed season from 1 April to 31 October, thus extending the closed season by two months and protecting breeders;
  • the take of any turtle found on land or interference with any turtle nest;
  • the disturbance, damage, take, sale, purchase or possession of any turtle egg;
  • the take, sale, purchase or possession of any green or loggerhead sea turtle greater than 60 cm (24 ins) curved carapace length (CCL)