Tag:
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Community and Society
Kids in Action continues shaping Ambergris Caye’s next generation of marine stewards
The 2026 Kids in Action Youth Summer Camp concluded on Sunday, July 26th, with a field trip to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve followed by a closing ceremony at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium. During the ceremony, dozens of participants received certificates recognizing their achievements in scuba diving, fly-fishing, and snorkeling. The students were also presented with prizes and encouraged to continue developing the skills they acquired throughout the program.
Conservation
52 Loggerhead Turtle Hatchlings Found Dead Amid Sargassum Buildup
The ongoing sargassum influx affecting San Pedro's coastline has been linked to the deaths of 52 loggerhead turtle hatchlings found on a beach on Monday, July 20th. As the current sea turtle nesting season is ongoing, the incident has raised concerns about the impact of heavy sargassum accumulations on vulnerable marine life.
Community and Society
Kids in Action Summer Camp returns with 90 young participants
The San Pedro Tour Guide Association's annual Kids in Action Youth Scuba Summer Camp has returned, welcoming 90 participants for three weeks of hands-on training in scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and fishing, including fly-fishing. The program, which began on July 6, will conclude on Sunday, July 26, with a certificate ceremony and the traditional visit to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, where participants will put the skills they learned throughout the camp into practice.
Community and Society
Caye Caulker Miss Lobster Fest Delegates Visit San Pedro Ahead of Pageant
Contestants competing in the 2026 Miss Lobster Fest pageant in Caye Caulker visited San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, on a promotional tour ahead of the July 17th pageant. Hosted by reigning Miss San Pedro Miley Chi, the delegates toured the island, participated in interviews, dined at El Fogón, and visited the Hol Chan Marine Reserve as part of efforts to promote the pageant and strengthen ties between the sister islands.
Community and Society
Caye Caulker Youth Complete First Fly-Fishing Conservation Camp
Fourteen children from Caye Caulker recently completed the island's first fly-fishing camp, led by San Pedro guide Omar Arceo, popularly known as the "Dr. of the Flats." The five-day program combined hands-on fly-fishing instruction with lessons in sustainable fishing and marine conservation, culminating in a fishing excursion on the western flats off Ambergris Caye on July 10th.
Community and Society
Hol Chan Retracts No Objection Letters; Stakeholders Continue to Call for Greater Transparency
On June 12th, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) announced it was retracting all previously issued Letters of No Objection (LNOs) for projects that have not yet commenced construction. Executive Chairman Ian Pou confirmed the decision and explained the reserve's position during an interview at the Hol Chan office on June 15th. Education and Outreach Officer Mariela Archer also discussed the reserve's procedures and the reasons behind the increased scrutiny of development proposals.
Environment
Red Phase Declared for Sargassum in San Pedro; Experts Suggest Potential Solutions
The Sargassum situation in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, has reached a level that has prompted the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) to issue a Red Phase warning. Mats of seaweed continue to drift ashore daily. While authorities are doing their best to remove it from the beaches, some experts suggest that the most effective approach is to collect Sargassum before it reaches the shoreline.
Community and Society
Hol Chan to Host Free Guardians of the Reef Camp for Young Explorers
Hol Chan Marine Reserve will once again host its Guardians of the Reef Summer Camp, bringing free environmental education opportunities to children in San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker Village. The camp will run in San Pedro from June 29th to July 10th at the San Pedro Lions Den and in Caye Caulker from July 13 to 17 at the Caye Caulker Roman Catholic School. Open to children ages 5 to 13, the camp will take place daily from 8:30AM to 11:30AM.