A dream come true, says Yabra fisherman

BELIZE CITY, Wed. Apr. 29, 2026

   The Belize City Council on Tuesday, April 28, officially unveiled and inaugurated the “Yabra Fish Market” in Belize City. The community-centered project is aimed at supporting local fishermen, strengthening small businesses, and enhancing the shopping experience in the Yarborough/Yabra area.

   According to city officials, the initiative was developed in consultation with fishermen and residents of the community. The newly renovated facility includes a number of practical improvements designed to better serve vendors and customers. These upgrades include deep freezers for preserving fresh catches, fans to create a cooler environment, screen doors to reduce flies, new cement fish-cleaning stations, and improvements to the electrical and plumbing systems.

   Mayor Bernard Wagner said the rehabilitated market will be able to accommodate six vendors at a time, with each vendor paying a nominal monthly rent of $1. Speaking at the inauguration, Wagner said the Council’s goal was to revitalize the space in a way that benefits the wider community. “The City Council wanted to rehabilitate the space at Yabra to drive local economic development, engage the community, and have the people be a part of something good for their community … It’s a community effort,” he said.

   Local fisherman Joseph Brown also welcomed the project and expressed appreciation to the City Council for the new facility. “A dream come true for the Yabra fishermen. We wish to appreciate this building and take care of it and bring some new fisherfolk interested in buying fish, and a safer environment down this side to shelter us from the sun, heat, and rain,” Brown said.

   The new market is expected to provide a safer, cleaner, and more organized space for fishermen while contributing to economic activity in the Yabra/Yarborough community.