Conservation
Stakeholders Unite to Strengthen Belize’s Fisheries Enforcement Efforts
On November 11th, a validation workshop was held in Belize City for the National Fisheries Enforcement and Conservation Monitoring Strategy and Action Plan. The session emphasized the importance of developing an effective national strategy to protect Belize’s marine resources, bringing together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Belize Coast Guard, the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, and the Belize Fisheries Department.
Community and Society
San Pedro Launches Living Shorelines Project to Protect Its Beaches
On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, island residents, community members, and environmental supporters gathered at El Fogón for an information session about Living Shorelines, a new initiative focused on protecting San Pedro’s coast using natural methods. The event featured presentations by Lindsey Precht, Deputy Resilience Officer from Miami Beach; Gerardo Castañeda, Environmental Coordinator at Moon Palace Cancún; and Valentine Rosado, Project Lead for San Pedro’s Living Shorelines Program. The session introduced how nature-based solutions, like restoring dunes, mangroves, and coastal vegetation, can help strengthen the island’s beaches, protect homes and businesses, and preserve the environment for future generations.
Conservation
Dredging Policies Are Failing Belize’s Marine Reserves
Belize’s marine reserves were created to safeguard our most valuable ecosystems that sustain our blue economy. Our reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds are supposed to be protected spaces, ensuring that fishing, tourism, and coastal protection remain strong for generations. But these irreplaceable habitats are being destroyed by dredging.
Conservation
Public Input Sought on Belize’s Marine Conservation Plans
The National Consultations for Increasing High Protection for Biodiversity in Belize hosted its San Pedro community session on October 29th at the Sunbreeze Hotel, marking the second phase of the Resilient Bold Belize (RBB) Initiative. The consultation was led by the Belize Sustainable Ocean Plan team and supported by the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, the Office of the Prime Minister’s Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit, the Belize Fisheries Department, the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Conservation
Jamal Galves receives International Wildlife Award
On Thursday, October 16th, Jamal Galves, affectionately known in Belize as the Manatee Man, received the Wildlife Rescue Award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). The Belizean marine rescuer was honored with the prestigious recognition at the Animal Action Awards ceremony held at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in London, England.
Conservation
Protecting Belize’s Flats Fishing Is Protecting Our Future
Belize is blessed with extensive backreef flats and shallows from Sarteneja to Punta Gorda that provide ideal habitat for bonefish, permit, and tarpon - the fish anglers travel around the world in search of. For decades, tourists have traveled to Belize for the chance to catch the famed “grand slam” of flats fishing.
Conservation
Belize Launches Green Belize Initiative to Tackle Climate Change
The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Solid Waste Management (MSDCC) is advancing its Green Belize initiative to strengthen resilience and inspire change in the face of climate threats and environmental degradation. Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), the initiative is anchored in a five-year GEF-6 project focused on protecting the Belize River Watershed, a vital resource that sustains nearly half of the country’s population.
Conservation
Belize Forest Department Condemns Illegal Killing of Jaguar in Southern Belize
On September 29th, the Belize Forest Department confirmed the killing of an adult female jaguar in the Malacate area of Independence Village, Stann Creek District. The jaguar, weighing about 110 pounds, was found in an advanced state of decomposition with evidence indicating it had been shot. Inspectors also discovered that one of its canines had been removed, an act of tampering that is illegal. The carcass was subsequently buried. The Forest Department condemned the killing, reminding the public that jaguars are a protected species under Belizean law.
Community and Society
Islanders join National Coastal and Riverways Cleanup
Several groups across the country participated in the National Coastal and Riverways Cleanup on Saturday, September 27th. In San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, three cleanup efforts were organized, including a sargassum removal along the eastern coast and a road and beach cleanup in northern Ambergris Caye. Together, participants collected large amounts of trash and sargassum.
Conservation
WWF’s 2025 Mangrove Friendly Development Challenge comes to San Pedro
On Monday, September 15th, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) hosted the 2025 Mangrove Friendly Development Challenge meeting at the Sun Breeze Hotel in San Pedro. The event brought together conservation leaders, policymakers, developers, and community stakeholders to highlight the importance of mangroves and encourage innovative, sustainable development across Belize.
Conservation
Belize Advances Climate Action Through Inclusive Climate Week 2025
Belize Climate Week 2025, observed from August 25 to 29, brought together national stakeholders, youth, and local communities to raise awareness and promote action on climate change. Organized by the National Climate Change Office (NCCO) under the theme “Adapting Today, Sustaining Tomorrow: Resilient Roots, Greener Future,” the week featured panel discussions, interactive booths, and workshops focused on Belize’s climate strategies and inclusive engagement.
