Posted: Wednesday, October 22, 2025. 7:20 pm CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 21-year-old fisherman from Chunox Village, Corozal District, is facing a possible fine of over $150,000 after being accused of possessing 51 undersized conchs—a serious violation under Belize’s Fisheries Regulations.
Ender Abias Contreras appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Mannon Dennison in Court #6 of the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, where he was read a single charge of possession of undersized conchs. He pleaded not guilty and has challenged the Fisheries Department to prove its case against him.
According to the allegations, on Thursday, October 16, 2025, around 3:55 p.m., Contreras was found on a canoe in the vicinity of Dog Flea and Three Corner Caye Zone with 51 unprocessed conchs, each measuring less than 7 1/5 inches—the minimum legal size required.
If convicted, Contreras faces a mandatory fine of $150,000, in addition to penalty fines of $30 to $50 per undersized conch, which could add another $1,530 to $2,550 to his total.
With no objection from Fisheries Prosecutor Calman Hall, Magistrate Dennison granted Contreras bail of $6,000, either as one surety of the same amount or two sureties of $3,000 each.
Contreras’s case has been adjourned to December 2025, when the court is expected to begin hearing evidence in the matter.
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The post Shell shocked: Chunox fisherman faces $150,000 fine for 51 undersized conchs appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Wednesday, October 22, 2025. 7:20 pm CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 21-year-old fisherman from Chunox Village, Corozal District, is facing a possible fine
The post Shell shocked: Chunox fisherman faces $150,000 fine for 51 undersized conchs appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.