Conservation
Stakeholders attending virtual Smart Coast Project workshop say enforcement is critical for any environmental plan to succeed
Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) recently hosted a virtual workshop on the Smart Coast Project. Many of the participating stakeholders and environmentalists registered their disappointment in the lack of enforcement to protect Belize’s natural resources. The workshop presented modeling results and proposals for adaptation options and management scenarios in the northern communities of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.
Community and Society
Development underway at Cayo Rosario; government still resolving the controversial project
New developments indicate that construction plans continue at Cayo Rosario, including what appears to be survey markers on protected fishing flats. The proposed tourism development on the 10-acre mangrove caye sits within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The present government claims not to support the proposed project but admits difficulties in dealing with the case they inherited from the previous administration.
Conservation
Pollution from Plastics regulations go into effect in December 2021
Minister of Sustainable Development Honourable Orlando Habet said that the deadline for single-use plastic and Styrofoam products in Belize would be December 2021. Habet shared this with the media from Glasgow, Scotland, where he is attending the UN Climate Change Summit. He said his ministry is preparing to enforce the Environment Protection (Pollution from Plastics) Regulations that was signed in January 2020.
Community and Society
Oceana promotes sustainable fishing with pilot project under the Fish Right, Eat Right initiative
On Friday, October 22nd, Oceana Belize rolled out a pilot project under the ‘Fish Right, Eat Right’ initiative, connecting restaurants with responsible fisher-folks. The campaign involves an app that allows restaurants and even customers to know what type of fish they are consuming and where it was caught. The main purpose of the initiative is to curb illegal fishing and promote best practices in fisheries by providing marketing incentives throughout the supply chain via the promotion of responsible seafood consumption.
Conservation
Minister of Sustainable Development Participates in 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties
Hon. Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, is leading a delegation from various ministries and non-governmental organizations, participating virtually, at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention of Biological Diversity from October 11 to 15, 2021.
Conservation
Belize to Benefit from Global Fund for Coral Reefs Investment Window
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) during its 30th board meeting approved US$125 million towards “Global Fund for Coral Reefs Investment Window” to be implemented by Pegasus Capital Advisors, the accredited entity in Belize and other countries. The initial GCF investment also seeks to attract an additional US$375 million of public and private capital.
Conservation
Hon. Andre Perez shares Belize’s commitment to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and transnational organized crime in the fisheries sector has in the past affected the reputation of many Caribbean countries, including Belize. To combat this issue, Caribbean ministers responsible for fisheries and blue economic growth are holding meetings to address the issue during this year's Caribbean Week of Agriculture, celebrated virtually under the theme 'Transforming our Food Systems.' Belize was represented by the Honourable Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, and shared the country's commitment to strengthen regional cooperation in the fight against IUU fishing.
Conservation
Healthy 2021 turtle nesting season; nesting areas still threatened by human activity
The current turtle nesting season continues to look good as members of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve are reporting hatchlings in the several nests discovered in northern Ambergris Caye. 44 nests have been found so far, a much lower nest count from previous seasons. Around this time of year, nests amounted to the 90s previously.