Conservation

The stone crab’s claws have become a delicacy in gourmet restaurants with increasing demand in areas such as Ambergris Caye off the northeast coast of Belize. A plate containing 1 1/2lb of cooked stone crab claws sells for up to US$42.50. The value of the overall industry, as per the Belize Fisheries Department (BFD), was around $125,000 for the local market. However, this number is expected to increase as exporting stone crab claws to other markets in the United States and the Caribbean starts.

The Belize Forest Department within the MSDCCDRM hereby reminds the public that as of July 1, 2023, the hunting season for White Tail/Red Brocket Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) is officially closed along with other Game Specie falling within their respective dates outlined below.

Stakeholders from the tourism and fishing sectors attended a community outreach held on Wednesday, June 14th, at the San Pedro Lions Den to discuss the Marine Spatial Plan (MSP). This initiative under the Belize Sustainable Ocean Plan (BSOP) was hosted by the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI), who have been spearheading community meetings across the country and inviting the community to participate in the process that aims to bolster biodiversity protection in Belize's seas.

After three years of neglect, the boardwalk leading to the Marco Gonzalez Archaeological Site, south of San Pedro Town, has been replaced with a stable and sturdy pathway. The much-needed refurbishment was made possible by the efforts of the archaeology field department at Michigan State University, under the direction of Dr. Gabriel Wrobel. He and a group of students from his university, including some from Belize, are currently conducting studies on the site to unveil further information about Marco Gonzalez’s ancient ruins.

After a full week of fun and educational activities, the 2023 Hol Chan Marine Reserve Reef Fest concluded with a grand fair at the Boca del Rio Beach Park on Saturday, May 27th. The family event featured informational booths by several local and off-island organizations, as well as live music, a kayak race, games, and lots of giveaways.

The northern beaches of Ambergris Caye received love from many volunteers on Sunday, April 23rd, when they freed the area of tons of garbage left behind by visitors or washed ashore. The beach clean-up commemorating Earth Day saw the efforts of persons from the San Pedro Town Council, the local Child Advisory Body, the University of Belize (UB) Environmental Club, representatives of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and the office of the Area Representative the Honourable Andre Perez.

Following the co-management agreement signed between the Government of Belize and conservation organizations in March of 2023, the Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD) will oversee the management of the terrestrial portion of the Bacalar Chico National Park in northern Ambergris Caye. While some island residents have reported no management activities within the area, the SACD explained they are working on a strategic plan to look after Bacalar Chico with the involvement of island organizations and stakeholders. SACD is a non-governmental organization (NGO) promoting the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources for the benefit of present and future generations. Located in Sarteneja, a traditional fishing village in the northern Corozal District, it also co-manages the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary alongside the Belize Forestry Department.

The co-management agreements signed with conservation partners last month (March) for a number of protected areas raised eyebrows in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, when it was revealed that the Bacalar Chico National Park, located north of the island, would be managed by the Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD). This led the non-governmental organization (NGO) Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD) to register its disappointment as they stated they had been working on a plan with government authorities to manage the protected area. In an official note released on Monday, April 3rd, they indicated that they were not consulted in such an important matter despite their interest in being part of Bacalar Chico's administration.