About Us
The Belize Federation of Fishers (BFF) is an umbrella organization comprised of 14 fishing associations that provide a united voice and point of action for coastal fishing communities, fisher associations, individual fishers, and cooperatives on all issues and concerns related to marine resources and marine protected areas.
The BFF was born from the lack of proper fisher representation and participation on issues related to changes in fishing practice regulations, which affect fishers, their families and by extension, entire communities.
The Belize Fishers Federation’s primary mandate is advocacy, education and capacity building.
Registered October 4, 2011, the BFF was incorporated on April 30, 2013.
As part of its structure, the Belize Federation of Fishers is open to membership from individuals, associations and/or cooperatives. Its membership is drawn from the fishing communities across the country.
The BFF has an Executive Managing Committee that meets every two months and addresses issue that are of importance at both the local and national levels.
Each of the major fishing communities has a representative on the Executive Managing Committee of the BFF. This includes members from Sarteneja, Chunox, Copper Bank, Belize City, Dangriga, Hopkins, Riversdale, Independence, Punta, Negra, Monkey River, Caye Caulker, San Pedro and Punta Gorda. Representatives are selected through a consultative process held in each community.
Sustainable Fishing Practices
Our Mission
To work together with all fishing communities to have a united voice and collaborate in the sustainable management and protection of the natural resources on which the livelihood of our fishers depends.
Our Vision
To have a sustainable and healthy fisheries sector in Belize.
Our Goals
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Foster and support sustainable fisheries and sustainable fishing communities through the use of responsible harvesting practices
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To be involved in productive interactions with scientific and environmental NGOs.
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To advocate for policies that provide for and safeguard fishing communities.
To gather and disseminate knowledge and information related to Belize's fisheries resources and the BFF's action areas by adopting any available medium of publicity, including but not limited to videos, audio recordings, books or other platforms or media.
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02
Implement increased co-operation and co-management with the Department of Fisheries
04
To be active in developing Belize's fisheries sector - economically, politically, and socially - for the benefit of Belizeans in general and commercial fishers in particular.
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To negotiate with the Government of Belize and national funding agencies for the proper allocation and expansion of the resources given to fishing communities
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To promote educational activities relating to the BFF objectives.
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To be the united voice for all fishers and fishing communities who subscribe to the purposes of the Belize Federation of Fishers.