Seasonal· Belize Barrier Reef· Other Caribbean
Belize Lobster & Conch Closed Seasons
17° 8.1′ N · 87° 55.5′ W · approximate
Belize closes its spiny lobster and queen conch fisheries for part of every year, and the rules apply to visiting yachts as much as to fishermen: possession of lobster or conch meat in the closed season is an offence. The season shapes menus too, with Lobsterfests in San Pedro, Caye Caulker and Placencia celebrating each reopening.
Practical
Lobster: the Fisheries Department's 2024 notice states the closed season runs 1 March to 30 June each year (Statutory Instrument No. 128 of 2021, aligned with OSPESCA); older sources, including the Moorings 2025 eGuide and belize.com, still give the previous 15 February to 15 June window, so check the current notice. Conch: open roughly 1 October to 30 June and closed July to September, but the Fisheries Department closes it early when the national quota is reached (for example it was closed on 27 March 2020). To report illegal fishing call the Fisheries Department at 224-4552. Bonefish, permit and tarpon are catch-and-release only, and you need a CZMAI sport fishing licence to fish at all. Position is a nominal point in the reef system for mapping.
Best for
Knowing when you can buy, catch or order lobster and conch
Season
Lobster closed 1 Mar-30 Jun; conch closed Jul-Sep or earlier when quota is met
Nearby
- Belize Marine Reserve & Park Fees0.2 NM away
- The Elbow (Turneffe)1.6 NM away
- Caye Bokel Anchorage (Turneffe south)2.3 NM away
- Blue Creek Anchorage (Turneffe)4.1 NM away
- Sayonara Wreck (Turneffe)5.4 NM away
- Rendezvous Caye (Belize City Cayes)10.1 NM away
- Calabash Caye (Turneffe)10.6 NM away
- Bluefield Range Anchorage10.7 NM away