Conservation
Vessel Monitoring System Rollout Postponed Following Fishers’ Concerns
Plans to install Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) on boats operated by fishers licensed to harvest stone crab claws and sharks have been postponed after fishing communities raised concerns. Installation was scheduled to begin on October 22, 2026, as part of efforts to align with international fisheries management requirements. According to fisheries authorities, the system is intended to improve monitoring and management while enhancing fishers’ safety at sea.
Conservation
Mangrove Alteration Requires Prior Authorization, Forest Department Warns
Large areas of mangroves have been cleared on the island, often on private properties to make way for development. The Forest Department reportedly authorizes some clearing activities. People can report suspected unauthorized clearing to the department’s hotline at 610-1524 or the Department of the Environment’s (DOE) San Pedro office at 226-3073.
Conservation
Minister Andre Perez Calls for Stronger Regional Support for Fisherfolk
Belize’s Minister of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, Honorable Andre Perez, has called for stronger regional cooperation to support fisherfolk and promote sustainable fishing practices across the Caribbean. Speaking during the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, held in Jamaica from September 27 to October 2, Perez stressed that the region must do more for those whose livelihoods depend on marine resources.
Community and Society
Hol Chan Continues Fisheries Enforcement and Marine Conservation Efforts
Hol Chan Marine Reserve continues to work closely with the Belize Fisheries Department to enforce fishing regulations around Ambergris Caye. Alongside patrols, inspections, and public education, the reserve conducts conch population surveys and maintains mooring buoys to protect marine habitats.
Conservation
Hol Chan Records 75 Sea Turtle Nests so far this Season
Hol Chan Marine Reserve reported 75 sea turtle nests along San Pedro’s beaches in an October 5th update following surveys by its biologists and field workers. Of the nests recorded, 43 had already hatched, producing a total of 2,990 hatchlings. The monitoring covers loggerhead, green, and hawksbill turtles nesting along the island’s shoreline.
Conservation
US Ambassador Andre Bauer Presents US$206,350 Conservation Grant for Caracol
United States Ambassador to Belize Andre Bauer presented a US$206,350 grant on September 30th to support conservation work at the Caracol Archaeological Reserve. Awarded through the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, the funding is the largest US investment in archaeological conservation in Belize to date.
Conservation
Belize launches nine-month Climate Ready Campaign
The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management launched the Belize Climate Ready Campaign on September 23rd. The nine-month national public education initiative is being led by the Climate Change Department (CCD) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Belize), with support from EUROCLIMA. Government representatives, development partners, and other stakeholders attended the launch to learn about the campaign’s objectives and planned activities.
Conservation
GOB Secures Landmark Agreement to Protect Turneffe Atoll
n Wednesday, August 19, 2026, the Government of Belize signed the Turneffe Conservation Land Trust Deed of Mutual Release, Compromise, and Settlement. The agreement represents the successful transformation of an earlier agreement between the Government of Belize and the Turneffe Atoll Trust into a stronger and more comprehensive national agreement. Under the new arrangement, approximately 17,000 acres will remain as national lands under public ownership, with the Government of Belize holding the lands in an irrevocable conservation trust for the benefit of the people of Belize.
Conservation
Crocodile Encounters in San Pedro and Caye Caulker Prompt Safety Advisory
Recent crocodile encounters in San Pedro and Caye Caulker have prompted wildlife organizations and authorities to raise public awareness, urging residents, businesses, and visitors to avoid feeding or interacting with crocodiles and to report any concerning activity to trained personnel.
Conservation
Forest Department Urges Responsible Behaviour Around Crocodiles
The Belize Forest Department (BFD), in collaboration with ACES Wildlife Rescue and the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC), is reminding residents, visitors, and businesses to exercise caution and refrain from feeding, approaching, or interacting with crocodiles in their natural habitat. The advisory follows recent reports and social media posts involving human-crocodile interactions, including a recent incident in Caye Caulker Village. While no physical contact or injury was observed in that particular incident, it underscores the importance of responsible behaviour in areas where crocodiles are present.
Business & Economy
San Pedro Fishermen Voice Concerns Over Proposed Fishing Regulations
San Pedro commercial fishermen gathered on Tuesday, August 4th, at 6:30PM at the basketball court in the El Embarcadero area of San Pedro Town to discuss proposed changes to fishing regulations, including new restrictions on lobster shades and other commercial fishing practices. The San Pedro Commercial Fishing Association called the meeting, drawing fishermen, boat operators, and other stakeholders concerned about how the draft regulations could affect their livelihoods.