Tag:
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Community and Society
Students test reef knowledge at Hol Chan Reef Week trivia competition
Leilany Cruz of Isla Bonita Elementary School captured first place at the Hol Chan Reef Week 2026 Kids Trivia Competition held on Wednesday, May 20th, at the San Pedro Lion’s Den. After three rounds and two tie-breaker rounds, Adalee Novelo of New Horizon Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) School secured second place, while Justin Lara of San Pedro Roman Catholic (RC) School placed third. The event, hosted by Hol Chan Marine Reserve as part of its Reef Week activities, brought together 14 primary school students from San Pedro and Caye Caulker to test their knowledge of Belize’s marine environment.
Conservation
Hol Chan Marine Reserve Continues Reef Protection Efforts
As part of its ongoing efforts to protect Belize’s marine ecosystem and maintain safe access to popular tourism sites, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve team in San Pedro replaced damaged mooring buoys and pick-up lines on May 8th. The repairs come after a local tour guide reported missing and damaged equipment at several key locations, including Chato’s, Shark Ray Alley, Mexico Rocks, and Hol Chan. Rangers responded quickly, replacing six mooring buoys, two pick-up lines, and one demarcation buoy to help prevent reef damage caused by improper anchoring.
Environment
Sea Turtle Nesting Season Officially Begins on Ambergris Caye
The 2026 sea turtle nesting season has officially started in northern Ambergris Caye, with the first four nests confirmed by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Over the years, Hol Chan has monitored sea turtle nesting sites along the island's northern beaches during the nesting period, which typically runs until November. However, human activities and natural challenges, such as the increasing amount of Sargassum, continue to threaten these nesting areas.
Community and Society
Belize Showcases Sustainable Diving at Beyond Blue Summit
The Beyond Blue Dive Summit, officially titled Beyond Blue: Belize’s Great Dive for Sustainability, was held from April 22nd to 25th, 2026, in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. Hosted at Sunset Caribe Resort, the four-day event brought together international media, content creators, dive professionals, and conservation advocates. Organized by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), the summit featured guided dives at renowned sites such as the Great Blue Hole, Half Moon Caye Wall, the WIT Concrete Shipwreck, and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Participants explored Belize’s marine biodiversity while gaining insight into sustainable tourism practices.
Conservation
Fragments of Hope assesses coral nurseries at Hol Chan Marine Reserve
The northern team of Fragments of Hope, a Placencia-based conservation organization, joined staff from the Hol Chan Marine Reserve on Wednesday, April 22nd, to assess the progress of coral nurseries within the reserve. The full-day activity proved productive, with the development of the nurseries described as very positive.
Environment
Reef Resorts Project Cleared for Development
The Department of the Environment (DOE) has informed the public that environmental clearance has been granted for the Reef Resorts Limited tourism project, an extension of Ramon’s Village Resort. The proposed development will take place on a 1.2-acre island located southwest of Ambergris Caye, within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
Community and Society
Hol Chan to Be Part of First-Ever Beyond Blue Dive Summit
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve in San Pedro is set to participate in the first-ever Beyond Blue Dive Summit, scheduled for April 23rd and 24th at Grand Caribe. This inaugural event for Belize will feature dives at Hol Chan and Turneffe Atoll, along with evening mixers focused on marine conservation and the reserve's history.
Government
Chilean company interested in purchasing Belize’s garbage and sargassum
A Chilean company has shown interest in purchasing Belize’s garbage and sargassum, according to the Honorable Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Agriculture, during the recent fiscal budget debate in the National Assembly. Ferguson said that company representatives are expected to visit Belize on April 7th to discuss potential collaboration. While the minister did not reveal the company’s name, he mentioned that Chile has several firms specializing in recycling waste and transforming materials like plastic and seaweed into usable products, including construction materials.