Tag:
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
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.
Community and Society
Hol Chan inspires young minds during Child Stimulation Month
Hol Chan Marine Reserve marked Child Stimulation Month by engaging preschool and primary school children in a series of educational activities focused on marine conservation and environmental awareness. The initiative centered around the Hol Chan Education Center, which opened on May 14, 2025, and served as the hub for the month-long activities. The program included storytelling sessions with preschoolers, guided tours, and glass-bottom boat trips to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, offering children a firsthand look at Belize’s marine ecosystems.
Community and Society
BTB partners with “Dr. of the Flats” to train San Pedro tour guides
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB), in collaboration with trainer Omar Arceo, known as “Dr. of the Flats,” launched the first adult fly-fishing training course for licensed tour guides in San Pedro, Belize. The six-day program ran from March 3rd to March 14th, culminating in an informal certificate presentation and dinner held at La Mulata Backyard Eatery on March 14th at 7:30PM. Ten participants completed rigorous training sessions to expand their professional skills.
Conservation
Barge Activity Near Mexico Rocks Raises Environmental Concerns
Barge activity near the Mexico Rocks protected area in northern Ambergris Caye has once again drawn public concern, months after a controversial dredging project in the area came under heavy scrutiny. The dredging initiative, approved in June 2025, was intended to facilitate the passage of barges transporting construction materials and other goods. At the time, tourism stakeholders and environmental advocates questioned the decision, arguing that the area is environmentally sensitive and that such activity could jeopardize coral formations within the nearby marine reserve.