Press Release, 8 November 2024, BELMOPAN, Belize: The OCPP is supporting Belize’s marine conservation efforts by enhancing the quality and use of marine data across the country’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). By reviewing current data collection and analysis methods, the OCPP is helping to establish clearer standards and thresholds for tracking the health of marine habitats and species. This effort is closely aligned with Belize’s commitment to protecting marine biodiversity and sustaining the livelihoods that depend on it, including fishing and tourism. Working with the Belize Government and MPA co-managers, the OCPP is contributing to the prioritisation and updating of indicators that monitor and report on MPA conditions across the network.
To further these efforts, a workshop took place in Belize City from November 4-5, 2024, focused on creating a unified approach to MPA monitoring through standardised indicators. The workshop was opened with remarks by Hon. Abner Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management. Representatives from the Belize Government, monitoring agencies, NGOs, and other key stakeholders gathered to adopt standard protocols for MPAs. This workshop provided an opportunity to build consensus on best practices, supporting a cohesive approach to tracking the condition of Belize’s marine resources.
Additionally, the OCPP is assisting the Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute (CZMAI) by funding MarFishEco, a consulting firm, to process a backlog of marine spatial data and facilitate a new data call. This initiative contributes to CZMAI’s ongoing marine spatial planning and supports Belize’s commitment under the Blue Bonds Agreement to protect 30% of its marine environment. Through the Blue Bonds initiative, Belize has pledged to sustainably manage its waters, and initiatives like this help ensure that Belize’s marine spatial plans are informed by high-quality, accessible data.
About OCPP
The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) works with countries to strengthen marine science expertise, develop science-based policy and management tools, and create educational resources for coastal communities.
Through the OCPP, the UK government partners with ODA-eligible countries to deliver tangible and positive impacts on the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems.
OCPP partnerships are primarily delivered by a joint UK OCPP Team from 3 UK government organisations: the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), that work together on the programme on behalf of the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The OCPP will support countries by equipping them with the skills and expertise needed to tackle, reduce, and mitigate marine pollution through the development of science-led policy. By improving our understanding of the impacts of pollution, as well as identifying and supporting effective responses, we will make sure that communities are better equipped to prevent and manage marine pollution.
The OCPP will support the development of the skills and expertise needed to adopt sustainable seafood practices. This will reduce risks such as the spread of zoonotic diseases from unsustainable or unsafe activities and will support trade in safe seafood. The programme will also help crack down on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by supporting the development of better management, monitoring, and enforcement capabilities.
The OCPP will help countries develop the skills and expertise needed to establish designated, well-managed, and enforced marine protected areas. This work will support healthy ecosystems with thriving biodiversity and fisheries that communities rely on for food and livelihoods. More work on the biodiversity theme in Belize can be found on the JNCC website.
The programme aims to achieve these objectives by strengthening marine science expertise, developing evidence-based policy and management tools, and creating educational resources for coastal communities.
