Conservation
Oceana warns about possible seismic testing in Belize; organizes signature collection drive
At a press conference in Belize City on Thursday, November 17th, Oceana Belize announced the commencement of a countrywide signature collection drive to trigger a national referendum regarding oil exploration in Belizean waters. Vice-President Janelle Chanona said the decision was made following a conversation with Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño in September. She claims it confirmed the current administration’s intention to proceed with seismic testing in Belizean waters with prior approval from the public. However, GOB clarifies that it has not entered into any agreements for seismic studies nor for oil exploration in offshore areas.
Environment
The Mythical and Misunderstood Crocodile
Belize is truly an ecological paradise. Home to more species of wildlife than any one person could possibly name, but there’s few critters roaming this jewel that have as many myths and misconceptions surrounding them as crocodiles do. The image of a large croc gliding easily through the water is a stunning sight, but where some see beauty and predatory perfection, the image conjures up fear and hatred in others.
Community and Society
Beach restoration project at Boca del Rio not affected by Hurricane Lisa
It has been over a week since Hurricane Lisa devastated sections of Belize City and surrounding areas. San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker were some of the places spared by the Category 1 storm. Besides torrential rains and wind, the hurricane put the Boca del Rio beach nourishment project to the test. The project is to tackle the erosion problem that is fast eating away at San Pedro beaches. According to the latest update from the beach reclamation program team, the beach was not phased by the torrential elements.
Environment
The protectors of Belize’s coastline; Belize Barrier Reef and mangroves
As Category 1 Hurricane Lisa was battering the country's old capital, Belize City, on Wednesday, November 2nd, the barrier reef along the coastline was roaring as it held back the distant waves. Thanks to our ever-present reef, the storm surge on Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and other coastal communities were minimal within the hurricane's radius, and our island home only experienced minimal damage from Hurricane Lisa.
Environment
Ministry of Blue Economy launches policies to better protect Belize’s marine natural resources
The Honourable Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, has launched two essential policy documents considered vital to the proper management of all natural resources under his ministry. The two policies include the Belize Blue Economy Policy and Strategy and the Belize Maritime Economy Plan. The ministry is developing a master plan to identify the country's resources that need preserving and creating regulations and best practices to protect them. Most important is to determine the type of development(s) are suitable within these protected jurisdictions.
Environment
Ministry of Blue Economy on the Sargassum, climate change and carbon emissions
The issue of Sargassum choking the coast of many countries in the Caribbean region is always a threat to the tourism industry. The beaches in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, appear to be Sargassum-free for now, but some weeks ago, the island’s shoreline was inundated with brown seaweed. The ministry of Blue Economy has been studying the problem attributed mainly to climate change. The ministry touched on the issue on Wednesday, October 19th, at an event in Belize City.
Community and Society
SPTC initiates demonstration project to restore severely eroded beaches
The time to start saving the beaches in downtown San Pedro is now. On Thursday, October 20th, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) began a beach restoration demonstration project at a section in Boca del Rio. The area in front of the San Pedro High School has severely eroded, and access to this short stretch of beach will remain closed to vehicular traffic. The public is asked to respect the signage erected.
Environment
Official Launch of Belize’s Marine Spatial Planning Process
The Government of Belize and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) are pleased to announce the official launch of Belize’s Marine Spatial Planning process, which will be held on Wednesday, 19th October 2022, at the Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City.