Community and Society
BTB announces $1.5 Million sargussum relief fund & tax reliefs
The Government of Belize has granted $1.5 million to help contain and control of sargassum in the municipalities of San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia and Hopkins, which will be disbursed through the Belize Tourism Board. Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon. Manuel Heredia announced GOB’s assistance and other tax reliefs at a press conference the BTB offices in Belize City on Wednesday afternoon, October 31.
Arts & Culture
Environmental Educational Campaign to culminate with an art exhibition
All islanders are invited to attend an environmental art exhibition to be held at the Banyan Bay Suites conference room from 8AM to 12PM in San Pedro Town on Saturday, November 3rd.
Conservation
Meeting to addresses the use of Fish Aggregating Devices
On Thursday 18th October 2018 at the San Pedro High School conference room, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve [“Hol Chan”] held a meeting along with the Fisheries Department, Department of the Environment, and the San Pedro Tourist Guide Association to address the creation of fish aggregating device (FAD) around Ambergris Caye.
Environment
Belizean Wavemakers Gather for Oceana’s 2018 Annual General Meeting
Over two hundred and fifty Wavemakers from Corozal, Orange Walk, the Belize District, San Pedro, San Ignacio, Belmopan, Dangriga, Hopkins and Toledo attended this year’s event.
Conservation
Friends of Swallow Caye host Manatee Awareness Week 2018
The week was devoted to raising awareness about the protection and monitoring of these endangered species, which if not protected, they may not exist in the near future.
Environment
Managed Access Program continues to promote good fishing
The program aims to end open access to resources across Belize’s marine ecosystems by licensed commercial fishermen. Open access fishing allows licensed fishermen to harvest marine species (that are not protected by law) unrestrictedly, and this has resulted in overfishing, causing populations of certain species to decline over the years.
Environment
Fisheries Minister approve climate change protocol for CRFM Member States
A Protocol on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management in Fisheries and Aquaculture was approved for CARICOM States during a recent high-level meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM).
Community and Society
Mayor Guerrero and Minister Heredia disapprove of Cayo Rosario development
Both leaders of the local authority voiced their disapproval of the project, adding to the controversial discussion. The project as approved by the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC), which calls for 54 over-the-water structures, 50 more partially over-the-water and land and the dredging of 55,000 cubic meters of sand for land creation from within the extension of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The project is not only considered a threat to the delicate marine ecosystem in the area, but to the livelihood of many that make a living in the fly fishing industry.