Conservation

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 After nearly three decades, the team has successfully located and upgraded outdated markers at seven important southern points within the protected areas.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.

San Pedro Town is the most populated and developed area of Ambergris Caye. Over the years, it has rapidly expanded to accommodate progress and the growing population. As it grows, the challenge of balancing progress and conservation remains a concern for the local authorities. To address this, studies have been conducted in partnership with international organizations such as IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture SAU, and the Inter-American Development Bank to develop a master plan that will include protected areas. While the project is being finalized, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has launched an aggressive project to protect the downtown beaches by implementing a nature-based approach.

On Tuesday, September 17th, the Belize Department of Environment (DOE) organized a training session from 9AM to 12:30PM in Ambergris Caye. The session, hosted by environmental officer Mr. Kendrick Gordon, was to educate council members, traffic managers, and head traffic wardens about a new ticketing initiative. This initiative involves issuing litter tickets to individuals improperly disposing of waste or contributing to environmental pollution, starting with random inspections on the island. Those failing to adhere to the regulations will be subject to ticketing and fines based on the severity of the offense.

On Monday, September 23rd, scientists from Florida International University (FIU), USA, revealed a newly identified species of hammerhead shark named “Sphyrna alleni," in honor of the late Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen, a strong supporter of shark conservation. Anglers fishing in Belize’s Robinson Point and Riversdale Village caught several hammerhead sharks between 2016 and 2019, passing them on to scientists. After years of analysis, researchers have now confirmed the discovery of a new species.

The Government of Belize (GOB) has recently acquired ownership of Angelfish Caye, also known as Will Bauer Flats, located off the coast of Placencia in South Belize. This acquisition is part of an effort to promote marine environmental conservation and support the expansion of the Belize Barrier Reef as a national park and protected area, all to ensure sustainable use. The previous owners of Angel Fish LLC will be compensated for the acquisition and have been asked to submit their compensation claims to the Chief Land Acquisition Officer at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining in Belmopan, Belize.