Conservation

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.

The non-profit organization Ecomar is engaging stakeholders in its Belize Barrier Reef Watch program to raise awareness about the need to protect Belize's marine resources. The project aims to monitor and help protect the barrier reef with the public's assistance.

The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management officially continued the formalization of public-private partnerships (or co-management) for several protected areas across the National Protected Areas System (NPAS) with several of its conservation partners.

On Friday, March 10th, a group of non-governmental organizations, tourism partners, and members from the business community came together to host a fair celebrating Reef Week 2023. The event is celebrated in different areas of the country each year. This year’s reef fair was held in San Pedro Town, featuring educational booths, games, activities, music, food, and drinks.

The Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, is inviting the public to choose a logo for the Belize Sustainable Ocean Plan (BSOP)- Belize’s Marine Spatial Plan (MSP). The development of the BSOP is a principal milestone in achieving Belize’s conservation commitments under the Blue Loan Agreement and the Conservation Funding Agreement signed between the Government of Belize and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in November 2021.

Alvaro de Marichalar Saenz de Tejada is a Spanish navigator, explorer, and academic of the Royal Academy of the Sea. He arrived in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, on Friday, December 2nd, on a mission to continue his campaign, raising awareness against plastic pollution and overfishing via his world tour. Alvaro’s expedition started in Seville, Spain, in 2019, intending to circumnavigate the globe aboard the smallest craft in history.

A healthy mangrove population is especially crucial to maintaining a healthy reef. Much like the Barrier Reef is afforded protection, the same needs to apply to wetlands and mangroves within the region to conserve biodiversity and plant life.

Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary, south of Caye Caulker, is a marine protected area and a haven for the native Antillean manatees. A visit to this area promises an unforgettable experience viewing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. The sanctuary is managed from an office established in Caye Caulker known as Friends of Swallow Caye. Their efforts have inspired both locals and visitors, leading to fundraising campaigns. One of these is currently by a 17-year-old high school student, Natalie Schnurman, from New York, United States of America (USA).