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Some people here don't respect the laws of Belize and advocate ignoring them. Tells you a lot about their business ethics...

A licence is required on Canada's west coast (tidal waters) but not the east coast.

Read my post again NC. The difference is that non fishing occupants on the boat ALSO have to have a SFL, and (according to the law) so do their children of ANY age.
And so does the tourguide/boat captain. In the many states of the US I have fished yes you need a licence, but only the fisherman not his non-fishing wife and kids. THATS the big deal. Land tax has nothing to do with it. The American and Canadian fishing guests we get down here don't pay land tax as they don't own property in Belize.

Chris ,
I have been there countless times, where laws contradict each other or you are forced to handle an issue that my not run parallel with the law . Maybe talk to are rep. ??
Went fishing few days ago ALL gringos and got stopped by marine patrol and told us no spearfishing and we could continue . I did ask if i needed a license and they indicate NO.
This doesn't really mean that we technically did not .My friend stuck out like a sore thumb no tan , Canadians and eaten airplane peanuts.
I wouldn't worry Jeff !
Thanks for the report Chris ,hopefully this will get sorted out. The fishing lodges and other tour groups may want to work together to get this resolved, or better; an advocacy group.

My concern over this matter relates to my resort and its guests.
I and all resort owners have a duty of care. We have to advise our guests about licencing requirements, just as they expect us to advise them (eg)not to go out into the jungle alone at night, or standing under coconut trees etc.
The advice in both those cases is obvious, but I do not know what to advise our guests re SFLs
This is clearly a matter of great concern to all resorts (or should be) I am raising this within the resort owners community but alone or together we are not getting much help.

Tim my brother just busting your chops ..LOL.But you are living the dream you could be my poster boy LOL. AND GOD BLESS YOU ,GOOD FOR YOU ...

Chris,
I made a few calls to fishing lodges ,they all say NO license is required by passengers . The owners of these fishing lodges have been in business 15 & 20 years . They will typically start with San Pedro and Cayes with enforcement . Relax, The Resort Owners here will end up doing what I mentioned before, "advocacy group" then lobby Gov. to make it all work . Its a young country , continue with your sources and please check back with us. If you here 1 ticket written let us know , they will come out fighting . Resorts are hard work ,hope you can find some peace with the non-situation (if not drop me an e mail).Cheers Chris------ Hey Jeff , know any good fishing spots ? (Funny Jeff) you do a bang up job yourself , every time I see you , your fishing , socializing drinking and eating .Tis a beautiful life ,if ya let it .

Tim you will be my guest next trip down in march , but ..will have to blind fold you .only kidding will call you or e mail before my march trip and give you the dates .We leave early and i will have you back by 12 noon so you can sell someone A living the dream house ..CHEERS

Tim, perhaps regrettably, the resort owners you have consulted do not sit in judgement in court. That is the job of the magistrate. His job is to read the law AS WRITTEN and determine whether the miserable wretches in chains before him have, or have not obeyed it. He cannot change or modify the law, only administer it. It is for politicians to make and amend the law. So when resort owners tell you no licence is required by passengers ask them what law they read that in.For sure it was not Statutary Instrument 115 of September 14th 2009. The fact they have been operating for fifteen or twenty years is with respect not relevant. The law we are talking about is 5 months old so knowledge of it over 20 years is clearly mistaken.
You're right about it being a young country, but I trust that isn't an apology for making unworkable laws.
I will of course follow this up, but even one American fisherman down here on holiday getting arrested is one too many. Think of the bad publicity, and the law suite which could follow on one of your resort owning friends. "Duty of care" the lawyers call it I believe!

Are you saying you will spend the time and head up a committee to change this ??