The Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation and the Belize Fisheries Department welcome visitors from Cuba, The Bahamas, and the United States on the first day of a 5-day recreational fisheries exchange hosted in partnership with the non-profit organization, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). The learning exchange aims to build a community of practice and share knowledge about conservation, sustainable fisheries management, and preparing for climate change. Participants include more than 20 fishing guides, scientists, and resource managers from Cuba, The Bahamas, Belize, and the USA. This exchange builds upon a previous exchange hosted in Belize in 2018 and will help to strengthen the relationship between Belize, Cuba, and The Bahamas.

Recreational fisheries are an important part of a sustainable blue economy in Belize and throughout the Caribbean. Before the pandemic, fly fishing and guiding in Belize provided over $100 million to the national economy each year. Working together can ensure that those opportunities return while also improving conservation to ensure that future generations have the same access to the livelihoods and cultural benefits of sustainable recreational fisheries.