The sport-fishing industry in Belize has reached a historic crossroads with the consideration of a permanent ban on gillnetting, and the Yellow Dog Community & Conservation Foundation (YDCCF) along with the Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries needs your help in getting the law over the finish line.
Sport-fishing in Belize provides nearly 3,000 jobs and generates more than $100 million dollars annually for Belize’s economy—and gillnetting is undermining that growing, sustainable industry.
Our industry here in the States is impacted as well since there’s a consistently growing amount of fly fishing products—from rods, reels and fly lines to packs, boots, clothing and more—that are put to use while wading Belizean flats and patrolling in skiffs or pangas.
Simple choice. P: Jim Klug
Right now, we have an incredible opportunity to protect, preserve and enhance Belize’s saltwater and flats fisheries for the future – by banning lethal and indiscriminate gillnets once and for all. Gillnets not only entangle and indiscriminately kill valuable and well-known game fish, but also ensnare dolphins, manatees, turtles, sharks and sea birds. In a country where marine tourism accounts for close to 50% of Belize’s overall economy, protecting and enhancing Belize’s fisheries is crucial.
Yellow Dog Community & Conservation Foundation
YDCCF and the Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries arranged a substantial donation that secures much of the funding necessary to bring the gillnet ban to fruition and ensure a sustainable sport-fishing industry in the country. But they are encouraging businesses in our industry to step up and give as much as they can to support this effort and reach their goal.
If you’ve ever fished or visited Belize (or sold gear to those that do!), please consider donating today.
