Conservation
2019 Oceana Belize Ocean Hero Awardees are fisher folks Guadalupe Lampella and Dale Fairweather
At the seventh annual Ocean Hero Award ceremony organized by Oceana in Belize, two outstanding Belizeans received the prestigious Belize Ocean Hero Award on Saturday, October 5th, in Belize City. This year’s winners are fisherman and sea advocate, Dale Fairweather from Placencia Village and fisherwoman and avid diver, Guadalupe Lampella from Riversdale Village in Stann Creek District.
Community and Society
Increased dredging in South Ambergris Caye raises concerns
Dredging for sand in southern Ambergris Caye has been ongoing under the consent of The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC). In a previous interview, Mayor Daniel Guerrero stated that the sand extracted was not for business purposes, but the benefit of the community. According to concerned residents living nearby, the dredging operation has ramped up considerably with the addition of a second site.
Environment
Bonefish and Tarpon Trust presents insights on conservation needs for Belize’s fishing flats industry
The Bonefish and Tarpon Trust (BTT) organization held an informative presentation for fly fishing guides and interested islanders at the Lions Den in San Pedro Town on Monday, September 30th. The organization presented recent findings on the evaluation of fishing flats in Belize and Mexico, conservation needs in Ambergris Caye and the importance of a sustainable approach to the management of these valuable coastal assets.
Environment
PACT commits $1.15 million investment in Belize’s Marine Reserve Network
The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) continues to be the premier donor to Belize’s National Protected Areas System. Today, PACT continued the roll out of its Conservation Investment Strategy with another investment, this time in multiple Marine Protected Areas under the management of the Belize Fisheries Department.
Environment
Hundreds of Belizean wavemakers participate in country-wide effort to remove debris and garbage from waterways and coastline
On Saturday, September 28th, 2019, more than 1,500 of Oceana’s wavemakers and volunteers participated in the 29th annual nation-wide cleanup led by the Belize Scouts Association and supported by other organizations and schools to remove trash and debris from river banks, waterways and beaches.
Business & Economy
2019-2020 Queen Conch Season officially opens; know the fishing rules
After 6 months of closure, the Queen Conch season is open again. The general public is reminded to kindly follow the regulations regarding the fishing and handling of the delicacy.
Environment
CRFM convenes high-level Fisheries meetings in Belize
The fisheries meeting will focus on issues such as the sustainable use, management and conservation of key species such as queen conch, lobster, pelagic species, sharks and reef fishes.
Community and Society
Drought costs Farmers $50 Million – GOB declares State of Emergency
As Belize faces a crippling drought, GOB declares a State of Emergency and discusses ways they can assist the more than 8,000 farms in the country.