Business & Economy
Combating plastic pollution and sargassum: the Fournier Formula
Canadian tourist Michel Fournier spoke to The San Pedro Sun on Tuesday, February 25th about a unique solution to two problems on the island: plastic pollution and sargassum. It’s his second visit to San Pedro and he’s seen an increase in the garbage buildup around the island and sargassum washing up on the beachfronts. He believes that instead of tackling them as two separate issues, they should be combined. His solution? A solar powered plastic extruder. Currently, solar powered plastic extruders are available but aren’t commercially produced.
Business & Economy
Island commercial fishermen discuss possibility of forming association
Commercial fishermen from Ambergris Caye convened at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve conference room on Wednesday, March 11th, where they discussed issues affecting them and came up with ways to address the said problems. The fishermen also discussed the possibility of forming an association so that members have a way to voice concerns whenever decisions affecting them are being made.
Environment
Stop order issued against development at Cayo Rosario
A formal stop order has reportedly been issued to halt development activities at Cayo Rosario, following a site inspection by members of the Physical Planning Unit at the Ministry of Natural Resources on Friday, March 6th. Island residents, particularly those in the fly fishing industry, welcome this latest update, which is seen as a protection of the sensitive marine environment near the tiny island that sits within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve on the north-west coast of Ambergris Caye.
Environment
New GEF-Funded Multi-country Blue Economy Initiative Gets Underway in the Caribbean
A new US$46 million initiative to promote Blue Economic priorities in the Caribbean, in support of the sustainable use and conservation of the region’s vast and diverse marine ecosystems and resources, gets underway with a two-day inception workshop on 5-6 March at the Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City.
Conservation
Activities at Cayo Rosario paused after irregularities in building permit are discovered
Hol Chan Marine Reserve says that although a permit was issued to build a bulkhead no longer than 300 feet on the western side of Cayo Rosario, the issue is with where the building material is currently being placed.
Environment
Algas Organics proposes solutions for combating sargassum
Typically, sargassum season runs from April through August in Belize, but with global environmental changes, it has been appearing earlier and in larger quantities along our shores. The influx has affected many businesses located on the beach, as it releases a strong foul smell when it decays and creates dead zones around the shore. On Wednesday, February 27th, Algas Organics, in collaboration with the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), held a presentation for stakeholders on their solution for turning sargassum into something positive.
Environment
More Marine Protected Areas and King Crabs can help Belize Barrier Reef health
Belize’s section of the reef was the only part which showed a 7 percent improvement, with its Reef Health Index (RHI) increasing from 2.8 to 3.0, according to the 2020 MBRS reef health report presented by Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative (HRI). HRI director Melanie Mcfield, Ph.D, is a marine scientist with the Smithsonian Institution, and she presented their findings at the Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City last Thursday morning, February 13. Elsewhere in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras which share the MBRS, reef health had declined so that the overall reef health index for all four countries fell from 2.8 in 2016, to 2.5 in 2018, an 18 percent drop.
Environment
Owner of Samahdi Yacht issued six-figure fine for coral damage at Lighthouse Reef Atoll
Video footage filmed by local divers at the site known as ‘The Aquarium’ at Long Caye in Lighthouse Reef Atoll, depicted the alleged destruction of live corals by the anchor of a large yacht called Samahdi on Sunday, February, 9th. By the time rangers of the Belize Audubon Society and elements of the Belize Coast Guard responded to the reports, the vessel had left. Its owner, who was not on the yacht at the time, reportedly has since been in contact with the Government of Belize to address the unfortunate incident. Following an assessment from the Department of the Environment (DOE), it is alleged that a $150,000BZ fine was issued for damages caused by the yacht.