Tag:
Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation
Conservation
Hol Chan Secures Title to Mangrove Lands South of Ambergris Caye
Following public concern raised in September 2025 over the alleged subdivision of parcels of land south of Ambergris Caye in the Boca Ciega Area within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the office of Area Representative Honourable Andre Perez intervened to address the issue. Months later, on February 2nd, Perez’s office announced that the parcels in question, 11 in total, had officially been issued land titles in the name of the marine reserve.
Conservation
Belize Fisheries Convenes First National Shark Working Group Meeting
The Belize Fisheries Department, under the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, convened the first meeting of the National Shark Working Group (NSWG) on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Grand Resort and Residences in Belize City. The meeting brought together scientists, policymakers, and key stakeholders to advance marine conservation and promote the sustainable management of Belize’s aquatic resources.
Community and Society
Belize Sargassum Task Force Prepares for 2026 Sargassum Season
The Government of Belize, through the National Sargassum Task Force (STF), has begun early preparations for the 2026 sargassum season, focusing on five priority coastal areas: San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Seine Bight, Hopkins, and Placencia. The initiative launched on January 21st and is co-chaired by the Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports, and Diaspora Relations and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation.
Government
UK and Belize Partner to Strengthen Community-Led Fisheries Management
A team from the UK’s Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is working in close partnership with the Belize Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation to engage with local fishers and gather feedback on their experiences with Managed Access Committees (MACs).
Government
GOB Hosts Validation Session to Advance Belize’s Blue Economy Governance Framework
The Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation convened a national Validation Workshop on December 2 to advance the finalization of the Blue Economy Bill. This marks a transformative step toward establishing Belize’s long-term legislative framework for a sustainable, resilient, and innovative Blue Economy. This pivotal session signals the Government of Belize’s continued commitment to ensuring that Belize’s ocean and coastal resources are governed through modern, science-based, inclusive, and progressive policy systems.
Conservation
WTO Funding Strengthens Belize’s Push for Sustainable Fisheries
Belize has received a US$300,000 grant from the World Trade Organization (WTO) Fish Fund to support the Building Legal Understanding and Enforcement Capacity for Fisheries Subsidies Reform in Belize (BLUE-CAP) Project. The grant, announced on November 27, will help work led by the Directorate General for Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, the Fisheries Department, and the High Seas Fisheries Unit, in partnership with the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM). Approved during the WTO Fish Fund steering committee meeting held on November 18–19, 2025, the project is part of a first-round disbursement of US$2.9 million awarded to 26 developing countries.
Government
Belize Advances Science-Based, Collaborative Pathway for Sustainable Fisheries Management
The Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, together with the Belize Fisheries Department, reaffirmed the central role of healthy fisheries as a cornerstone of Belize’s Blue Economy. Fisheries remain vital to national food security, cultural identity, and the livelihoods of thousands of Belizeans, making their sustainable management an essential pillar in the country’s pathway to a resilient, nature-positive Blue Economy.
Conservation
Stakeholders Unite to Strengthen Belize’s Fisheries Enforcement Efforts
On November 11th, a validation workshop was held in Belize City for the National Fisheries Enforcement and Conservation Monitoring Strategy and Action Plan. The session emphasized the importance of developing an effective national strategy to protect Belize’s marine resources, bringing together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Belize Coast Guard, the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, and the Belize Fisheries Department.