Conservation

The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT), a prominent international conservation organization, has announced a $1 million commitment to flats fishery conservation in Belize. According to an official release, this funding marks the next phase of BTT's efforts in Belize, which began in 2006 with a focus on bonefish and permit science. This investment represents a three-year initiative aimed at supporting projects designed to enhance the resilience of Belize's flats fishery.

On Thursday, October 24th, the Government of Belize Press Office released a statement regarding new long-term funding for Belize’s Atolls. The surf wear company Matuse, the Andrew Sabin Foundation, and the Global Fin Print project announced their commitment to support three critical shark conservation areas: Glovers Reef, Lighthouse Reef, and Turneffe Atolls. According to the 2023 Global Fin Print study, these atolls are among the top habitats for coral reef sharks globally.

Oceana is proud to celebrate its 15th anniversary in Belize, a significant milestone in support of empowered Belizean stewardship of our unique national assets and cultural identity. Since 2009, Oceana has amplified national calls for safeguarding livelihoods and bolstering marine conservation through habitat protection and best practices in fisheries management. The legislated results have benefited the environment and communities, with protections now in place for over 13,970 miles (618,200 hectares or 36,182 km2) of Belizean waters and tens of thousands of marine-based livelihoods.

In the effervescent waters of coastal Belize, a culinary and cultural staple is at risk. The conch fishery continues to encounter growing pressure from overfishing and minimal harvesting size. Recent reports indicate that Belize's exports of Queen conch meat have seen a notable rise, doubling in volume from 200 metric tons (MT) to 400 MT between 2003 and 2018. The value of these exports has more than tripled during the same period, setting the Queen conch's position as the second most important fishery in the country, after spiny lobster. While the exact impact of Queen conch on tourism and household food security remains unclear, they are believed to be considerable. Strict and dedicated management efforts are critical to safeguarding this valued shellfish and ensuring that it doesn’t vanish from our plates.

The Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD) and a representative from the Belize Forest Department went on their first deployment within the Bacalar Chico National Park (BCNP) on Friday, October 4th. As part of their mission to protect and preserve this critical area, the team set up temporary signs, while permanent signage is completed to ensure clear identification of key areas. The primary goal of this endeavor is to facilitate movement through the park's intricate mangroves, wooded trails, and coastal terrain while ensuring the preservation and surveillance of Belize’s valuable ecosystem. After nearly three decades, the team has successfully located and upgraded outdated markers at seven important southern points within the protected areas.

San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, is experiencing significant growth, with large construction projects visible almost anywhere on the island. Many of these developments are intended to boost the tourism industry, while others aim to further stimulate the real estate sector. While these projects are also designed to create jobs, some residents are concerned that certain developments are not adequately monitored and are causing damage to delicate natural environments like mangrove forests and the seabed. This poses a threat to the livelihoods of fishermen and tour operators involved in activities such as sports fishing.

So far, for 2024, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) has documented 63 sea turtle nests on the shores of Ambergris Caye during the nesting season. Most of these nests were found between Robles and Rocky Point, away from the busy areas of San Pedro Town. Forty-one of these nests successfully hatched, resulting in 2167 hatchlings entering the warm Caribbean shores of La Isla Bonita. Among these hatchlings were 1281 loggerheads, 798 green turtles, and 88 unidentified species, which are currently under further research for identification.

On Friday, September 27th, Belize celebrated Tourism Day by hosting a gathering of global leaders during the 1st Annual World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards at the Oakridge Venus in Spanish Lookout. The event aimed to acknowledge individuals and organizations contributing positively to tourism and pioneering sustainability initiatives. Among other countries, Belize stood out and was awarded for being the leading sustainable destination, recognizing its efforts to implement sustainable tourism practices, preserve natural and cultural heritage, and promote responsible tourism worldwide.