ABSTRACT
On Caye Caulker, fishing is the mode of production that most affects the political economy and development of the community. Basically there are four kinds of fishing on Caye Caulker: lobster traps, diving, line fishing, and fish traps. The Caribbean or spiny lobster inhabits warm waters, has spines rather than claws for defense, and is part of the crayfish family. The most profitable fishing on Caye Caulker is done with lobster traps. Lobster traps produce a much higher yield over time and are less labor intensive than diving for lobster. Since hauling traps is more profitable than diving, most of the fishermen who dive for their lobster are younger men or non-islanders who either cannot afford to buy traps or have been unable to acquire a territory. The Belizean government wants to encourage the development of a deep sea fishing industry, to exploit the rich and virgin territory outside the reef.
