Mayor Gualberto 'Wally' Nuñez

The spiny lobster season in Belize has been open since July 1st. To celebrate, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye hosted a two-week-long celebration that ended on Saturday, July 13th, with a grand Lobster Fest Block Party. The block party was the finale of the 13-day Lobster Crawl, which featured daily lobster-themed events at various venues across San Pedro. The anticipated event occurred at the Honorable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Arena (Saca Chispas Field), which featured beautifully decorated restaurant booths offering the best lobster dishes and unique cocktails. As is customary, the food and drink competition was the highlight of the lobster festival, which drew thousands of tourists and locals for an evening of food, drinks, lobster education, and live performances.

While Hurricane Beryl is not expected to hit Belize directly, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) opened shelters in San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker on Thursday, July 4th. The shelters opened at 4 PM, with one in Caye Caulker at the Roman Catholic School and the Sagebrush Church and St. John Paul Youth Center (only for persons with disabilities) in San Pedro. If anyone needs to use the shelters in San Pedro, they can contact NEMO at 226-4824 or 614-5865 and 611-6603 in Caye Caulker.

Hurricane Beryl, a potentially devastating force, is expected to reach the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, late on Thursday evening, July 4th, bringing with it tropical storm-force winds. This poses a significant threat to northern Belize, including San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and Caulker. Residents are strongly advised to stay vigilant and make necessary preparations. Voluntary evacuation is recommended, and the deadline for doing so is Wednesday, July 3rd.

During the ongoing monitoring of Hurricane Beryl, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) branch in Belize Rural South (Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye) is reminding the public that price gouging (raising prices on goods) during an emergency is illegal. They encourage residents to report any instances of price gouging by establishments as Hurricane Beryl approaches Belize.

The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) is undertaking a natural-based beach nourishment plan to improve the coastal shores of Ambergris Caye. The project started on January 11, 2023, between Fido's Courtyard and the beachside that leads to the central park and an area in Boca del Rio. The initiative, led by Mayor Gualberto "Wally" Nuñez and marine scientists, aims to address coastal erosion caused by strong waves and the rise of local sea levels. The project will be completed in three weeks, with subsequent phases focusing on establishing green infrastructure and monitoring the beach's health.

The streets in Ambergris Caye are seeing many improvements under the management of Mayor Gualberto "Wally" Nuñez and Councilor Ernesto Bardalez, who is in charge of the Road Works and Infrastructure portfolio at the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC). They are determined to improve the community's daily transit with paved roads and the streets in San Pedro. This project is being carried out with the assistance of the Central Government and with the invaluable support and understanding of the community.

On Wednesday, June 12th, tour operators and guides from San Pedro and Caye Caulker met to discuss the proposed fee increase at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) from US$10 to US$20. The attendees acknowledged that operational costs are rising and were open to an increase but requested a detailed analysis justifying the 100% raise. The HCMR management agreed to conduct a thorough study and provide a report to the stakeholders by Wednesday, June 19th, regarding the proposed fee hike to access the marine park.

San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, the fastest-growing municipality in Belize, is grappling with a critical issue - traffic congestion and the flow of large vehicles through its downtown area. Mayor Gualberto' Wally' Nuñez has stressed the situation's urgency, affirming that his administration is actively working towards solutions to this longstanding concern and ensuring all residents' safety.