Turning Tides: How Women are Reshaping Fisheries Sector Belize

This case study documents the emergence of women's leadership in Belize's small-scale fisheries, moving from unrecognized informal labor to the establishment of the National Women in Fisheries Association (NWIFA) in 2024. It emphasizes that while only 3% of licensed commercial fishers are women, their role in the value chain is critical for sustainable resource management and climate resilience.

• Belize's small-scale fisheries sector is heavily male-dominated in formal terms, with men making up 97% of licensed commercial fisherfolk and women accounting for only 3%. However, women provide a critical, often unremunerated workforce performing tasks such as processing catch, organizing crews, collecting bait, and managing household finances, which influences the sustainable use of marine resources.
• The Women in Fisheries Forum (WIFF) was established in 2017 by Sandra Grant, the Belize Fisheries Department’s Marine Conservation and Climate Adaptation Project, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Since its inception, seven forums have been held to empower women, covering topics including climate change, women's leadership, and the UN FAO's Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries.
• In 2024, the seventh annual WIFF led to the creation of the National Women in Fisheries Association (NWIFA), a permanent governance structure designed to empower women to lead sustainable fisheries practices and ensure their contributions to marine resource stewardship are recognized. The association's executive committee includes women from 11 different fishing communities across Belize, including those involved in pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest activities.
• Climate hazards, including tropical storms, hurricanes, and rising sea surface temperatures, threaten Belize's coastal ecosystems and the small-scale fisheries that employ over 3,000 fishers and support the food and economic security of 20,000 Belizeans.

APA

Jang,, R. L. L. (2026). Turning Tides: How Women are Reshaping Fisheries Sector Belize. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/turning-tides-how-women-are-reshaping-fisheries-sector-belize

Chicago

Jang,, Ralna Lamb Lewis,Nicole. Turning Tides: How Women are Reshaping Fisheries Sector Belize. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2026. https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/turning-tides-how-women-are-reshaping-fisheries-sector-belize.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Jang, |first1=Ralna Lamb Lewis,Nicole |title=Turning Tides: How Women are Reshaping Fisheries Sector Belize |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=8 July 2026 |url=https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/turning-tides-how-women-are-reshaping-fisheries-sector-belize |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{jang2026turning, author = {Jang,, Ralna Lamb Lewis,Nicole}, title = {{Turning Tides: How Women are Reshaping Fisheries Sector Belize}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2026}, month = jul, url = {https://www.iisd.org/articles/success-story/turning-tides-how-women-are-reshaping-fisheries-sector-belize}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }