OUR INITIATIVES & GOALS

Below you will find an outline of the current problems BFFA is addressing within Belizean waters. Without the help, and support of all BFFA members the fishery as we know it will no longer exist. It is important to educate and collaborate in order to successfully mitigate the effects of pollution, expansion and use of the ecosystem.

Protecting Belize’s Flats Ecosystems

The Belize Flats Fishery Association (BFFA) represents guides, businesses, stakeholders, and communities across the country. With over 90 guide members, we serve as the unified voice of those who depend on the health of Belize’s flats.

Protecting these ecosystems is central to our mission. We advocate for their ecological, economic, and social importance, ensuring they remain healthy and productive for future generations. Our members act as stewards on the water reporting any signs of destruction, dredging, or mangrove clearing to the Association. BFFA then files formal reports to government agencies to request action and accountability.

We stand in solidarity with guides and communities across Belize whenever the flats are threatened, and we continue to push for a seat at the highest level of national decision-making to ensure that the voices of fishers, guides, and conservationists are represented in policies affecting the flats and the fly-fishing industry.

Our Goals:

Secure BFFA representation in national fisheries and coastal management councils.
Strengthen partnerships with government and NGOs to improve flats protection.
Expand reporting and monitoring systems for habitat destruction.
Safeguard the ecological and economic future of Belize’s flats ecosystems.

Advocacy for Sustainable Fishing and Development

BFFA is a vocal advocate for sustainable fishing practices and responsible coastal development. Across the country, we are witnessing unsustainable dredging, mangrove clearance, and “greenwashing” developments that threaten both ecosystems and livelihoods.

Our Association firmly stands against these harmful activities and continues to champion sustainability, transparency, and enforcement of environmental laws. We work closely with members and regulators to ensure that fishing practices remain responsible and that development respects the balance between people and nature.

Our Goals:

Promote stronger enforcement of fishing regulations and coastal protection laws.
Build a powerful network of members and allies committed to conservation.
Advocate for sustainable tourism and community-centered development models.

Research, Education, and Data Collection

In collaboration with organizations like the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, BFFA supports scientific research, tagging programs, and flats monitoring to better understand fish behavior, migration, and habitat use.

This research directly benefits our guides and fishers by improving their knowledge of sustainable practices and minimizing ecological impact. We believe that education based on science empowers guides to become conservation leaders, ensuring that Belize’s fisheries remain healthy for generations.

Our Goals:

Expand research partnerships and citizen science initiatives.
Provide ongoing training and workshops for guides and members.
Share research findings nationwide to strengthen conservation awareness.

Economic and Tourism Development

Flats fishing is not only a cultural cornerstone, it is also a BZ$200 million industry that supports thousands of Belizeans. BFFA promotes this sector as a model for sustainable tourism, where economic growth goes hand-in-hand with environmental protection.

We work to ensure that every decision made about Belize’s tourism and fisheries recognizes the value of healthy ecosystems. By protecting our natural assets, we are protecting the economic future of Belize.

Our Goals:

Maintain and grow a sustainable flats fishing industry.
Advocate for tourism policies that protect ecosystems and local livelihoods.
Prevent unsustainable developments that threaten the long-term health of the flats.