Environment

In the coastal communities of Belize, before dawn breaks, the fishers are already preparing their boats. But these days, alongside their nets and hooks, some carry something new: measuring tools, identification guides, and data collection forms. They take on a new role as fisher scientists, gathering crucial information that will shape the future of Belize's marine resources.

The turquoise waters around Cayo Rosario sparkle with life and beauty. It is part of Belize’s Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a place many consider sacred ground for biodiversity, fishing, and tourism. So when an overwater development project was approved inside the reserve and commenced construction, it sparked national outrage. How could something so destructive be allowed in one of our most treasured marine protected areas?

The influx of sargassum along the beaches of San Pedro Town has increased in recent days, prompting the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) to reactivate its emergency plan. As a result, sanitation staff are now being supported by additional labor to facilitate the swift and efficient removal of the brown seaweed from the water and downtown beaches.

San Pedro Town continues to battle the persistent influx of Sargassum, with the sanitation department, supported by additional staff, working daily to keep the beaches clear of the brown seaweed. Over the past week alone, the department reported removing 104 tons of Sargassum from the downtown shoreline. Despite the ongoing challenges, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has recently downgraded its response level from Code Red to Yellow, while significant quantities of the seaweed continue to wash ashore.

Belize is advancing efforts to protect its coastal zones with the release of the updated Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) regional guidelines for 2025–2030. Officially made public on May 27, the draft guidelines are now open for public review and aim to strike a balance between economic development and environmental protection, placing San Pedro Town and the wider Ambergris Caye region at the forefront of national planning. The National Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan is a comprehensive policy framework for the sustainable use, conservation, and management of Belize’s coastal resources. It prioritizes climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and community well-being across coastal areas.

On Monday, May 19th, the Belize Flats Fishery Association (BFFA) held a press conference in Belize City, calling on the Government of Belize to urgently intervene in the ongoing degradation of Belize’s vital mangrove forests, fishing flats, and other marine ecosystems. BFFA members and supporters highlighted their continuing opposition to tourism developments at Cayo Rosario, off the northeast coast of Ambergris Caye, and Sandfly Caye in southern Belize, projects they say pose severe environmental threats.

The Department of the Environment (DOE) partnered with customs brokers through a two-day workshop held in Belize City on May 14 and 15, 2025, to enhance environmental compliance for imported goods. This initiative forms part of the DOE’s broader strategy to align trade practices with national legislation and international environmental agreements, including the Montreal Protocol and the Basel Convention.

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) announced the rollout of BZ$7.75 million under its enhanced Conservation Investment Strategy (CIS) 2.0. This substantial investment will be distributed over three years to 15 co-management agencies, supporting strategic conservation initiatives across 28 protected areas in Belize.