Turning Tides: How women are reshaping the fisheries sector in Belize

Situated along the Caribbean coast of Central America, Belize is home to an extensive barrier reef system that sustains a wealth of marine biodiversity and supports diverse coastal communities. However, climate hazards such as rising sea surface temperatures, hurricanes, and tropical storms threaten its coastal and marine ecosystems, and as a result, key livelihood sectors across the country. One sector that has been particularly impacted is the small-scale fisheries sector, which employs over 3,000 fishers and contributes to the food and economic security of an additional 20,000 people. The sector is also integral to Belize’s cultural identity, as it is rooted in the traditional practices of Indigenous and local fisherfolk across the country. As the impacts of climate change intensify, establishing adaptive and equitable fisheries governance structures is essential to the long-term sustainability of the sector and the resilience of communities that depend on it. 

Belize’s small-scale fisheries have already taken steps toward this, earning praise for their participatory and rights-based management approach, which actively engages fisherfolk in governance and decision making. However, despite this inclusive approach, the sector remains largely male-dominated, with records showing that 97% of licensed commercial fisherfolk in Belize are men, while only 3% are women. 

However, when taking a closer look at the small-scale fisheries value chain, a hidden workforce appears: women who perform indispensable and unremunerated tasks, such as preparing meals and rations, organizing crews and trips, managing finances, preparing equipment, collecting bait, processing catch, organizing sales, and managing fishing households. Because these activities are rarely documented and thus are excluded from national fisheries statistics, an inaccurate picture of the sector’s workforce and representation has formed. While women are often not the ones directly fishing, as processors and managers of fishing households and finances, these women directly influence whether marine resources are used sustainably or depleted over time. 

It is well recognized that when women are included, decision-making conservation impacts are far-reaching. In their roles along the fisheries value chain, women also serve as resource stewards, strengthening compliance and promoting long-term planning. 

The failure to recognize women’s informal yet critical contributions and key role in the sector has limited their participation in decision making, led to marginalization, and prevented them from accessing government-based resources, such as training, micro-credit, and financing, which are typically provided to licensed fisherfolk. Not only has this been detrimental to women, but also to the sector as a whole, as both women and men bring unique experiences, knowledge, and skills that can complement one another and lead to improved outcomes and benefits.

The First Women in Fisheries Forum

Recognizing the need for change, the first Women in Fisheries Forum (WIFF) was convened in 2017 by Sandra Grant, through the Belize Fisheries Department’s Marine Conservation and Climate Adaptation Project, and the WCS Belize Program. 

The forum aimed to acknowledge women’s contributions in Belize’s small-scale fisheries sector and provide a space for them to discuss issues they face and opportunities they wish to pursue. Despite being met with a lot of why's—“Why engage women in fisheries?” “Why have a closed meeting for women?” “Why can’t men be present?” and “Why even have this discussion?”—the first WIFF went ahead with its theme: “It’s about conversations that focus on recognizing women in the fishing industry.” 

The forum brought together 52 women from nine fishing communities working along the fisheries value chain. What some initially viewed as an unnecessary event led to the creation of an annual forum that continues to empower women across the sector to this day. 

The WIFF provides a dedicated space for women to network and share their learning, knowledge, and experiences, with participants reporting that it offers them a space to understand and value the many roles they play within the sector and specifically how their role can influence the biodiversity and long-term protection of Belize’s coastal resources. Sessions held during the forum also strengthen participants’ confidence and capacity to lead and manage projects, advocate for women's rights, and meaningfully engage in fisheries decision making. 

Since 2017, there have been seven WIFFs covering pertinent topics such as gender equality and equity in fisheries, ocean-based livelihoods, leadership, and climate change. Through these annual forum we have socialized the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication with a special emphasis on social protection for women, highlighted the importance of utilizing a household approach for designing and implementing supplementary livelihoods in fishing communities, looked at the linkage between climate change and its impact on the ocean and livelihoods, and trained women in leadership skills. Follow-up sessions have focused on small-business development and management. However, more importantly, the WIFF has allowed for a much-needed discussion regarding gender and fisheries in Belize.

Taking Governance to the Next Level 

While the WIFF was making women’s contributions to small-scale fisheries visible and providing a platform for their voices to be heard and meaningfully valued (and annual participation was growing), the women recognized they needed to go a step further and formalize their role in the sector.

With support from the Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas Initiative (CAPA), WCS convened over 65 women for the seventh annual WIFF in 2024 to elect an executive committee to establish a permanent governance structure for women in Belize’s small-scale fisheries sector: the National Women in Fisheries Association.

The Association aims to empower these women to lead sustainable practices, promote equitable opportunities, and foster resilient communities, while ensuring that their essential contributions to the stewardship of these resources of national and global importance are recognized and celebrated.

“It has been 8 years since the idea of a Women in Fisheries Forum was conceived with the aim of providing a space where women's involvement along the fisheries chain could be recognized and valued,” said Sandra Grant, Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism Deputy Director.

The women who participated in WIFF 7 to elect an executive committee to lead the formation of a National Women in Fisheries Association. Photo credit: Eden Cruz/WCS Belize

The National Women in Fisheries Association's executive committee brings together experienced leaders from across the sector. Members consist of women engaged across the fisheries value chain, including those involved in pre-harvest, harvest, post-harvest, informal day-to-day fishing activities that take place within the family setting, and value-addition activities. 

Collectively, the women represent 11 different fishing communities across Belize, and at the forefront of the Association is Paula Jacobs Williams—a wife, mother, daughter, fisherwoman, seafood restaurant owner, and village chairlady of Punta Negra. 

Fishing has been an essential part of her life since childhood, as she was raised in a traditional fishing community and learned how to fish from her father. As chair, she is no stranger to advocacy, actively lobbying the government on her village’s behalf to secure resources and technical assistance to address shoreline erosion. Despite her various roles and responsibilities, she brings the same dedication and determination to her position as Chair of the National Women in Fisheries Association, where she works to elevate women’s voices in fisheries governance, gain recognition for their contributions to the sector, and advocate for fisherwomen’s rights and access to government resources, including financing, insurance, and retirement plans.

“Young women who are entering the sector must have some hope if they are to improve and continue fishing in the future,” she says.

Looking Forward

In small-scale fisheries around the world, women’s valuable contributions to the sector and to conservation decisions related to fishing remain largely unrecognized, but the WIFF and National Women in Fisheries Association show what becomes possible when years of dedication and advocacy translate into real governance structures. Together, these initiatives have done more than just empower women: they have shifted men's mindsets and created conditions for women to lead and be valued.

Since its formation in 2024, the Association has been working on increasing membership, building its reputation, and partnering with other fisherfolk associations and community groups. Their presence at the national level has begun to challenge assumptions among men in the sector, demonstrating that women deserve a seat at the decision-making table—and overlooking their contributions is not simply an equity concern, but a risk to households and ecosystems. The CAPA Initiative has also helped the Association elevate its international presence, supporting the secretary, Isela Martinez, to attend the Our Ocean Conference in 2026, representing Belizean women in fisheries on the global stage.

Their momentum is visible at the community level as well. For Association treasurer Shereene Miranda, the sea is a crucial part of her life. She has been going on fishing trips with her parents since she was a toddler, and noticed a growing desire for women to both organize themselves and become fisherfolk within her community in Hopkins village. Working with her local association, the Yugadan Fisherfolk Association, she helped double the number of women members from 4 years ago, demonstrating a step toward gender parity in the association.   

Moving forward, the executive committee and conveners of the WIFF are committed to working with policy-makers and protected area managers to provide women with opportunities to meaningfully contribute to the sector's management and development in ways that benefit Belize’s marine resources. 

Shereene’s final message to women working in the fishing industry is not to be afraid of “stepping out.” “Women need to be recognized as part of the fishing community,” she says.  

About the CAPA Initiative

The CAPA Initiative is a 3-year project funded by Global Affairs Canada that aims to use nature-based solutions to strengthen climate resilience and protect biodiversity in and around protected areas in the Kavango-Zambezi and Greater Virunga landscapes in sub-Saharan Africa, Belize, and Fiji. Learn more about the program here.