In celebration of World Fisheries Day 2025, the Belize Fund presents the Sustainable Fisheries Storytelling Competition. We invite you to produce a short-format video (2 minutes maximum) that spotlights Belizean fishers who exemplify sustainable fishing, marine conservation, and adherence to regulations. We want to celebrate and raise national awareness about responsible fishing and sustainability through compelling storytelling.
Criteria for the participating Fishers:
- Sustainable Fishing Practices: should be individuals that have demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly fishing methods that protect marine life and the environment. For example, they might use selective fishing gear like hooks or traps that only catch certain species and sizes, avoid bycatch (dead, injured, protected, endangered) and releasing unwanted fish or turtles safely back into the sea, and harvest responsibly by following seasonal limits or size restrictions to give fish populations time to recover.
- Conservation Efforts: actively participate in marine conservation initiatives. They may be involved in coral reef restoration, mangrove protection, or sea turtle conservation, showcasing a holistic approach to protecting the marine ecosystem.
- Adherence to Regulations: should demonstrate a commitment to obeying and advocating for fishing regulations and marine protected areas and the prevention of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Rules and Guidelines
- All videos must be original content created by the participants.
- Open to all Belizean citizens and residents
- Participants may submit one video entry only
- Videos can be in English or Creole
- Video Requirements:
- Duration: 2 minutes maximum
- Format: MP4 or MOV
- Resolution: Minimum 720p
- Must include clear audio/narration
- Primary Footage: Real, on-location scenes of the fisher.
- Supporting Media: Photos, graphics, or infographics to add context and educational value.
- Graphics & Text, where possible, to enhance engagement.
- Content Requirements. All fishers must answer these questions:
- Sustainable Fishing Practices: How do you fish in a way that helps protect the ocean and ensure there are fish for future generations?
- Conservation Efforts: In what ways do you help care for Belize’s marine environment, i.e. coral reefs, mangroves, or marine life, etc.?
- Adherence to Regulations: How do you make sure your fishing follows the laws and rules that protect our marine life?
- All entries will be posted on Belize Fund’s social media platforms. Encourage your network to vote for their favorite videos by likes, comments, and shares (People’s choice prize up for grabs!).
Prizes
| Place | Total (BZD) |
| 1st Place | $800 |
| 2nd Place | $600 |
| 3rd Place | $400 |
| People’s Choice | $200 |
Judging Criteria
Entries will be evaluated by an independent judging panel based on five key criteria:
- Relevance: Alignment with sustainability and conservation themes.
- Authenticity: Honest and accurate portrayal of the fisher’s story.
- Creativity: Effective use of visuals, editing, and storytelling techniques.
- Technical Quality: Clear visuals, clean audio, and professional flow.
- Impact: Ability to connect emotionally and educate audiences.
Timeline
- Submissions Deadline: November 21, 2025
- People’s Choice Voting Period: November 24 – 28, 2025
- Winner Announcement: December 1, 2025 (World Fisheries Day)
How to Submit
Complete the entry form below and submit along with your entry via email to communications@belizefund.bz. If participants experience any technical difficulties, use WeTransfer.
Disclaimer
By submitting an entry, participants agree and grant permission for full use by the Belize Fund to be displayed, distributed, reproduced, and created as derivative works of the texts, in whole or in part, in any media currently existing or subsequently developed, for any educational, promotional, publicity, exhibition, archival, scholarly, or all other standard purposes of the Belize Fund’s communication activities and product development related to Belize coastal and marine environment.