Environment
San Pedro holds massive trash collection in observance of National Clean-Up Day
On Saturday, January 18th, hundreds of islanders joined thousands nationwide for National Clean-up Day, organized by the Department of the Environment. In San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, various groups focused on cleaning different areas, including the southern part of town, downtown San Pedro, the Boca del Rio beach area, the northern road, and the Bacalar Chico sea turtle nesting beaches in the north part of the island.
Business & Economy
Belize Women’s Seaweed Farmers Association Dives into Sustainable Future: New Seaweed Mariculture Project Launched with UK Support
The Belize Women’s Seaweed Farmers Association (BWSFA), a dynamic women-led organization inclusive of men, women, and youth, proudly announces the launch of its transformative project, “Empowering BWSFA: Strengthening Sustainable Seaweed Mariculture through Capacity Building, Marketing, and Innovation.” This initiative is made possible through approximately £100,000 in funding under the UK Government’s Sustainable Blue Economies Programme Blue Social Challenge Fund (BSCF).
Community and Society
Second North Ambergris Caye clean-up removes more garbage from the beaches
On December 1st, another beach clean-up took place at the northern beaches of Ambergris Caye. Significant amounts of rubbish were removed from the area stretching from El Norte Bar to Tranquillity Bay. The initiative, led by local resident Elito Arceo, will continue next year to help keep these beaches litter-free. These northern beaches are popular nesting sites for sea turtles, so organizers urge visitors to refrain from littering, as it can severely impact nesting and the health of these pristine environments.
Conservation
The hopeful tale of survival for Belize’s queen conch
In Belize, tourists travel thousands of miles to enjoy the country’s seafood, which features a variety of seasonal conch dishes, including conch soup, conch fritters, stewed conch, fried conch, and the most popular dish, conch ceviche (made with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime, salt, and pepper). These delicacies have been enjoyed for decades; however, a lingering question remains: how much of the stock is left in the sea?
Environment
Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association introduces mobile app
On Wednesday, November 6th, the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA) launched its mobile app during an event in Belize City. The app is designed to enhance visitors' sustainable tourism experience and offers a comprehensive and interactive guide that integrates essential information and features to enrich users' experiences at Turneffe. The app is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android devices.
Conservation
Beyond Data: MarAlliance’s Human-Centered Approach to Marine Conservation
Since the late 90s, before the organization was officially established, the dedicated people behind MarAlliance have been leading efforts to safeguard endangered species and critical habitats through marine research, with local fishers at the forefront. Their focus: understanding and protecting marine megafauna – the ocean’s gentle giants like sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Through monthly monitoring expeditions, these fisher-
Conservation
Belize’s Coral Health remains “Poor”; Immediate intervention needed
The annual Reef Report Card was released in October, indicating that Belize’s overall grade for coral health remains “poor.” The 2024 Mesoamerican Reef Report Card is a Healthy Reefs for Healthy People (HRHP) study in collaboration with over 70 organizations dedicated to conserving the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) across Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. These organizations collectively form the Healthy Reefs Initiative (HRI).
Environment
Belize on High Alert for New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax)
On the 29th of October 2024, Guatemala confirmed cases of New World Screwworm (NWS) around Los Amates, Izabal, located 44 miles from the Belize-Guatemala southern border. Both confirmed cases were in bovines (cattle).
