Community and Society
Second North Ambergris Caye clean-up removes more garbage from the beaches
On December 1st, another beach clean-up took place at the northern beaches of Ambergris Caye. Significant amounts of rubbish were removed from the area stretching from El Norte Bar to Tranquillity Bay. The initiative, led by local resident Elito Arceo, will continue next year to help keep these beaches litter-free. These northern beaches are popular nesting sites for sea turtles, so organizers urge visitors to refrain from littering, as it can severely impact nesting and the health of these pristine environments.
Conservation
The hopeful tale of survival for Belize’s queen conch
In Belize, tourists travel thousands of miles to enjoy the country’s seafood, which features a variety of seasonal conch dishes, including conch soup, conch fritters, stewed conch, fried conch, and the most popular dish, conch ceviche (made with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime, salt, and pepper). These delicacies have been enjoyed for decades; however, a lingering question remains: how much of the stock is left in the sea?
Environment
Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association introduces mobile app
On Wednesday, November 6th, the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA) launched its mobile app during an event in Belize City. The app is designed to enhance visitors' sustainable tourism experience and offers a comprehensive and interactive guide that integrates essential information and features to enrich users' experiences at Turneffe. The app is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android devices.
Conservation
Beyond Data: MarAlliance’s Human-Centered Approach to Marine Conservation
Since the late 90s, before the organization was officially established, the dedicated people behind MarAlliance have been leading efforts to safeguard endangered species and critical habitats through marine research, with local fishers at the forefront. Their focus: understanding and protecting marine megafauna – the ocean’s gentle giants like sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Through monthly monitoring expeditions, these fisher-
Conservation
Belize’s Coral Health remains “Poor”; Immediate intervention needed
The annual Reef Report Card was released in October, indicating that Belize’s overall grade for coral health remains “poor.” The 2024 Mesoamerican Reef Report Card is a Healthy Reefs for Healthy People (HRHP) study in collaboration with over 70 organizations dedicated to conserving the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) across Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. These organizations collectively form the Healthy Reefs Initiative (HRI).
Environment
Belize on High Alert for New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax)
On the 29th of October 2024, Guatemala confirmed cases of New World Screwworm (NWS) around Los Amates, Izabal, located 44 miles from the Belize-Guatemala southern border. Both confirmed cases were in bovines (cattle).
Environment
San Pedro recognized as the leading fishing destination in Belize for 2024; 12th-best fishing town globally
Belize is quickly becoming one of the premier fishing destinations in Central America, especially for saltwater anglers looking for diverse fishing experiences. A recent study by Fish Booker, a well-known global platform for booking fishing trips, highlights Belize’s growing appeal in this area. The study analyzed 266 fishing locations outside the United States, using five key criteria based on data from over 40,000 fishing excursions conducted in the past year.
Community and Society
SPTC continues to warn against improper waste disposal; residents encouraged to report culprits
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) is actively addressing the significant challenge of improper waste disposal in Ambergris Caye. Across town, large volumes of waste, particularly from the DFC neighborhood, are being observed dumped on public and private property. This results in waste accumulation on properties, as some residents use garbage transportation services that do not deliver the waste to the designated transfer station. Instead, they often deposit their garbage on vacant properties to avoid the transfer station fees. The Council has initiated warnings and fines for illegal dumping when individuals are caught.
