Belize boasts a vibrant fishing industry rooted in its rich coastal waters and extensive barrier reef—the second largest in the world. Traditionally, fishing has been a cornerstone of Belizean livelihoods, beginning with indigenous and Creole communities harvesting conch, lobster, and finfish for subsistence and trade. Today, the top fish catches include prized species like tarpon, bonefish, permit, and snook, which draw sport anglers from around the globe, as well as commercial staples such as snapper, grouper, lobster, and queen conch. The industry has evolved to balance export demand, local consumption, and sustainable practices, with marine reserves and catch regulations helping to protect these valuable resources for future generations.
| Rank | Fish Species | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack and horse mackerels nei | 76,400 |
| 2 | Atlantic chub mackerel | 50,000 |
| 3 | Skipjack tuna | 29,134 |
| 4 | Sardinellas nei | 18,000 |
| 5 | Yellowfin tuna | 10,118 |
| 6 | Marine fishes nei | 7,540 |
| 7 | European pilchard(=Sardine) | 4,400 |
| 8 | Stromboid conchs nei | 4,000 |
| 9 | Bigeye tuna | 1,002 |
| 10 | Caribbean spiny lobster | 850 |
| 11 | Largehead hairtail | 650 |
| 12 | Mullets nei | 600 |
| 13 | Hakes nei | 570 |
| 14 | Porgies, seabreams nei | 545 |
| 15 | Blue shark | 311 |
| 16 | Albacore | 227 |
| 17 | European anchovy | 200 |
| 18 | Frigate tuna | 87 |
| 19 | Swordfish | 72 |
| 20 | Wahoo | 33 |
| 21 | Common dolphinfish | 20 |
| 22 | Striped marlin | 4 |
| 23 | Atlantic sailfish | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.