Challenges in Belize

[sck5]

the reserves arent marked but there are maps at the tackle shops and also in the cruising guides that show the reserves. At one of them we were in (but not the other) a ranger came out and asked for $10/head and told us what the rules are. You can also buy stuff from fishermen who anchor near the barrier reef islands. We ate lots of lobter and red snapper.

[Allanbc]

We were "reported" by another boat as fishing in the Blue Hole, which is a marine reserve. (We were NOT fishing in the Blue Hole.) After we left the Blue Hole Reserve, we put a line out and then were approached by a ranger. We were escorted back to Half Moon Caye where our captain and the ranger had a very heated exchange. The ranger ended up confiscating our fishing gear and our legally caught barracuda. Our captain had to show up in Belize City several days later. It all worked out in the end but we lost our ability to fish for the last few days.

We bartered for conch and lobster. On our last night, we exchanged charging a cell phone for a bucket of conch. The guys were working out on a Caye and had run down their cell phone. They were happy to get it charged. We ended up giving them the left over odds and ends of food we had.