Sea Cucumber Season Coming to a Close

The Belize Fisheries Department has announced that the sea cucumber fishery will officially close on February 1 and remain closed until July 31, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to protect marine resources.

The closure is mandated under national regulations and makes it illegal to fish for, harvest, buy, sell, possess, or export any sea cucumber species during the closed season. In a press release issued Tuesday, the department warned, “Any person found in possession of sea cucumber during this period will be charged and prosecuted in a court of law in accordance with the Fisheries Regulations.”

The Fisheries Department noted that sea cucumbers play an important role in maintaining healthy seabeds and have become increasingly vulnerable due to overfishing driven by commercial demand.

Officials are urging fishers and the wider public to respect the closed season and to report illegal activity.