Visitor Usage:
Visitors using the SWCMR are required to have a visitor permit which can be obtained at the Fisheries Department or at the Ranger station on the southern end of Twin Cayes within the reserve.
Visitor Fee:
Visitors must check in with the reserve staff and pay the following Visitor fees:
- Foreign Visitor is BZ$10 per person per day and BZ$30/person/week (3 to 10 days)
Fishing Licenses:
- Fishing licenses can be obtained at the Belize Fisheries Department.
Belize Fisheries Department Princess Margaret Drive
PO Box 148 Belize City, Belize
Phone: (501) 224-4552/2623
Fax: (501) 223-2983
Belize's Fisheries Regulations Include
- Coral – it is prohibited to buy, sell, or have in possession any type of Coral except the Black Coral without a license.
- Bonefish (Albula vulpes) – no buying or selling.
- Conch (Strombus gigas) – Closed season is July 1st to September 30th. Market Clean weight must exceed 3 ounces, and shell length must exceed 7 inches. Fillet conch must weigh 2.75 ounces or more. No fisher should possess diced conch.
- Lobster (Panulirus argus) – Closed Season is from February 15th to June 14th. Minimum cape length is 3 inches, and minimum tail weight is 4 ounces.
- Marine Turtle – It is prohibited to interfere with any turtle nest, or take any marine turtles. It is an offense to possess any articles made from turtle shell.
- Nassau Grouper – Closed season is December 1st to March 31st. Minimum size shall be 20 inches with maximum size of 30 inches. All Nassau groupers must be landed whole. No fishing is allowed with SCUBA gear.
- Spearfishing – is prohibited in all marine reserves.
Reef Etiquette:
- Be careful when entering and exiting the water.
- Your fins may stir up sand or scrape corals.
- Avoid standing on corals or walking on the reef.
- Take nothing living or dead out of the water except recent garbage.
- Refuse purchasing souvenirs made from coral, turtles or other marine life.
- Don't touch, chase, or feed any marine life.
- Don't anchor on corals.
- Do not throw garbage in the water.
- Park Fee: Visitors must check in with the reserve staff.