As the 2026-2027 sea cucumber harvest season approaches, Belize’s Fisheries Department has finalized a dual-track regulatory framework to manage commercial fishing and export activities, with the season officially kicking off on September 1. The harvest will run through January 31, 2027, though the government has confirmed that operations will cease immediately if the national total allowable catch quota is met before the scheduled end date.
To support sustainable marine resource management, the department has implemented strict spatial restrictions for this season: commercial sea cucumber harvesting will only be authorized in fishing zones 2 through 8, while zone 1 will remain completely closed to all fishing activity throughout the entire season to support local ecosystem recovery.
For licensed commercial fishers seeking to participate in the harvest, a mandatory additional special sea cucumber fishing licence is required beyond standard operating credentials. The application window for these special permits opens on August 18 and closes two weeks later on August 31, with a set fee of 75 Belize dollars per licence. In a key clarification for industry participants, the department emphasized that every person working aboard a sea cucumber harvesting vessel—not just the vessel owner or captain—must hold a valid special licence to operate legally.
On the trade side, the department has also launched a call for proposals from commercial entities and independent operators hoping to secure sea cucumber export licences for this season. For 2026-2027, export approvals are limited exclusively to Holothuria mexicana, the species commonly known as the “donkey dung” sea cucumber.
The export licensing process follows a structured two-step timeline. Interested parties must first submit an Expression of Interest by August 15, after which the Fisheries Department will distribute the official proposal application template. Completed proposals and all required supporting documentation must be submitted no later than August 25.
Documentation requirements vary based on whether applicants are new to the export market or renewing an existing licence. First-time applicants must provide verifiable proof of active commercial operations, along with a valid HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) or BAHA (Belize Agricultural Health Authority) registration certificate. For renewal applicants that held valid export licences in the previous season, requirements include completed renewal forms and updated facility certifications confirming their processing and export operations continue to meet national regulatory standards.
The department has confirmed that export licences will be awarded based on a merit-based review of each submitted proposal, and that all final approval decisions are not subject to appeal. In addition to regulatory preparations, marine biologists are conducting ongoing research into mercury concentrations in Belizean sea cucumbers to monitor food safety standards for the local industry.