Fisheries Department Issues Urgent Warning After Multiple Manatee Deaths Linked to Boat Strikes

The Belize Fisheries Department has issued a serious and urgent reminder to all vessel operators following multiple manatee strandings recorded across the country during February 2026. The Belize Marine Mammal Stranding Network documented eight manatee strandings in Corozal, Belize City, Placencia, Gales Point, and Hopkins. Most concerned were three confirmed cases with reported injuries consistent with vessel strikes were identified as the cause of death. On February 11, an adult female manatee was recorded in Belize City with injuries consistent with vessel impact, confirmed as the cause of death. On February 14, authorities documented another adult female in Hopkins with similar vessel-related injuries. On February 16, an adult male manatee was found in Belize City with investigators determining that a boat was responsible. While not all strandings have been directly linked to vessel strikes, officials say the concentration of incidents within a short period, combined with confirmed watercraft-related mortality is cause for significant concern. Members of the public are urged to report any injured, distressed or deceased marine mammals immediately to the Belize Fisheries Department or its Marine Mammal Stranding Network partners to support rapid response and data collection. The Belize Fisheries Department said it will maintain active monitoring and enforcement and is calling on all vessel operators to exercise extreme caution to ensure the protection of Belize’s marine mammals.