Honourable Andre Perez

As San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye continues to develop rapidly, the central issue of traffic congestion continues without a proper solution. Many stakeholders on the island have expressed their concerns about this issue, stating that it is out of control and detracting from the appeal that attracts tourists to Ambergris Caye. Although local authorities have been asked for solutions, their responses have not reassured many islanders.

After years of community requests, the Department of the Environment (DOE) is preparing to open an office in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The tentative opening date is mid-June, and the office will have jurisdiction over Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Caye Chapel. The San Pedro DOE office will collaborate closely with the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, further emphasizing the community's role in this endeavor.

The Belize Fisheries Department hereby informs all fishers and the public that, in accordance with Statutory Instrument No. 54 of 2012, the Honourable Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management, will declare the Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) fishery closed at the close of business on June 9th, 2024. This is necessary due to the realization of the Queen Conch production quota for the 2023-2024 fishing season.

An information session on a World Bank project, crucial for the future of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, was held on Monday, May 20th, at the San Pedro Lions Den. The 'Blue Cities and Beyond' Project aims to enhance access to the island's climate-resilient and sustainable water and sanitation services. The presenters also outlined that the project will bolster the island's and country's management capacity for sustainable development of the blue economy.

San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and other beaches across the country are currently dealing with an influx of Sargassum seaweed, and stakeholders and sanitation personnel of the San Pedro Town Council face challenges in removing the brown algae. On Wednesday, May 15th, Area Representative Honourable Andre Perez announced that two sargassum skimmers had been acquired and are now in the country. These skimmers, or harvester machines, are part of a collaborative project with the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. They are boat-like machines designed to capture sargassum at sea before it reaches the shoreline.

San Pedro Town Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez announced his bid for Area Representative in Belize Rural South (Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker) (BRS) on April 29th. For the electorate, this meant challenging the current Area Representative, Honourable Andre Perez, a member of his own party, the People’s United Party (PUP). Nuñez was determined. However, a directive from the PUP Secretariat has reportedly forced him to reconsider his decision. The note allegedly said that none of the recently elected Mayors would be allowed to participate in any contested convention for the post of standard bearer. The note added that a mayor could only participate in an endorsement convention if no other candidate was interested in the seat.

On Saturday, May 11th, the annual Mother's Day Extravaganza, a unique celebration in San Pedro Town, was held at the Honourable Louis Sylvester Sporting Arena. Hundreds of mothers gathered to enjoy various activities, including a lively karaoke competition, captivating local and international performances, and exciting giveaways.

The 29th Annual District 4250 Rotary Conference celebrated the diverse and united Rotary family in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, from April 25th to 27th. The event was a testament to the strong community and connection participants from Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, the United States, the Dominican Republic, and Argentina shared.