Tag:
Elito Arceo
Community and Society
San Pedro Youth Lead Sargassum Beach Cleanup
On August 23rd, a community beach cleanup was held near the San Pedro High School, organized by Elito Arceo with support from the San Pedro Town Council. The effort drew a strong turnout, particularly from young people, who came together to clear sargassum and restore the beach’s cleanliness. The initiative addressed not only tourism concerns but also the health of the marine ecosystem.
Conservation
Delicate Balance at Risk: Belize Reef Battles Record Sargassum Levels
A severe environmental crisis is unfolding along the northern coastline of Ambergris Caye. An unprecedented influx of sargassum seaweed is impacting the Belize Barrier Reef, particularly the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and National Park. The decomposing seaweed along the shoreline and near the reef is causing massive marine mortality and disrupting the ecosystem. Conservation groups and marine scientists are urgently documenting the damage and calling on the government to declare the sargassum event a national disaster.
Community and Society
Hol Chan Marine Reserve Launches 2025 Reef Fest
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve officially launched its annual Reef Fest over the weekend to promote environmental stewardship and community engagement. The festivities began on Saturday, May 10, with a large-scale beach cleanup along the northern coastline of San Pedro, near important sea turtle nesting areas. A volleyball competition took place the following day.
Community and Society
San Pedro’s Young Fishers Cast Off in First Kids Tournament
For the first time, a fishing tournament for children was held in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, on Sunday, May 11th. The event attracted over 300 kids and their parents, making it a fun and engaging competition. The tournament began at 8AM, and fishing took place from the shoreline, seawalls, and piers around town. By 2PM, everyone returned to the weighing station with their catches, and the top fishers were awarded prizes.
Education
San Pedro High School Business Fair 2025: Feeding Entrepreneurial Spirit
San Pedro High School (SPHS) hosted its bi-annual Business Fair on April 10th, under the theme "Futurepreneurs: Feeding the Entrepreneurial Spirit and Potential of Young Business Leaders." The event, held at Angel Nuñez Auditorium, aimed to nurture the entrepreneurial skills of business students by showcasing their innovative business concepts to the community.
Community and Society
Island residents and stakeholders express opposition to overwater development at Cayo Rosario
Residents and visitors of San Pedro Town gathered at the Lions Den on Tuesday, April 8th, to discuss the escalating environmental concerns surrounding the controversial development project on Cayo Rosario. The meeting was led by local activist Elito Arceo and supported by environmental groups such as the Belize Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Oceana, and Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD). The purpose of the gathering was to address the dredging and mangrove destruction threatening the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and to outline strategies to protect this ecologically significant area.
Community and Society
Kids Fishing Tournament coming up
On Sunday, May 11th, San Pedro Town will host an exciting kids' fishing tournament at Boca Del Rio Park. This event promises to be a fun-filled day for children and their families, fostering a love for fishing and community engagement.
Community and Society
San Pedro hosts one of the best Lighted Boat Christmas Parades
After a five-year hiatus, the Holiday Lighted Christmas Boat Parade was held again in San Pedro Town on Saturday, December 14th. The event was revived by islanders Elito Arceo and Karen Canul, along with the San Pedro Tour Operators Association and Seaduced by Belize. This creative and colorful event was considered one of the best. The participating boats lined the eastern coast of San Pedro, illuminating the area with dazzling lights. Visitors and residents enjoyed the traditional event, which had been absent since 2019. The highly anticipated spectacle raised the bar for highlighting the Christmas spirit and concluded with a fantastic fireworks show in front of Central Park.
