Tag:
Ministry of the Blue Economy
Environment
Illegal dumping reported at Bacalar Chico National Park
The illegal disposal of garbage at Bacalar Chico National Park north of San Pedro Town appears to continue unabated after concerned residents shared images of a large dump site. The eyesore is said to be near the beach, which is an active sea turtle nesting site. According to concerned residents visiting these areas, this unfortunate behavior occurs almost weekly and goes undetected due to the alleged absence of enforcement at this important national park.
Community and Society
Stone Crab season goes into effect in July 2023; only licensed fishers allowed to fish
On August 16th, the Belize Fisheries Department and the Ministry of the Blue Economy announced new legislation to implement the country's first-ever season for the Florida Stone Crab. The closed season was set from July 1st to September 30th, mandating that no stone crab fishing was supposed to occur. Several fishers protested that they were not aware of this new law. On Thursday, August 25, the Fisheries Department issued an update that the closing season would not go into effect until 2023.
Community and Society
New services to advance Belize’s tourism product under a new brand launched at Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve
On a cloudy, cool day, on Friday, March 25th, the Turneffe Atoll Sustainable Association (TASA) hosted an official ceremony at Calabash Caye within the Turneffe Atoll Reserve to launch five new eco-tourism options under the brand Bluerise. The recreation areas include the Witconcrete ship, Calabash nature and underwater trails, a mooring network, and the Bluerise online portal to pay access fees. This initiative supported by the private sector and the government aims to offer more tourism products within this marine reserve to tourism stakeholders and visitors.
Business & Economy
Lobster Season closes February 28th
Lovers of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster and fishermen are reminded that the season will end on February 28th. In the past, the lobster season used to end on February 15th and re-open every 14th of June. This year, the re-opening of the season is extended to June 30th.
Business & Economy
25 Caye Caulker residents’ complete sea salt production and seaweed farming training
On Wednesday, January 26th, a group of 25 Hicaqueños celebrated their completion of a diversification training, helping them with the skills to utilize the island’s resources for sustainable livelihoods such as the production of sea salt and seaweed cultivation. The program was made possible through the Ministry of the Blue Economy and Caye Caulker’s Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) chapter.
Community and Society
Belize’s Shark Conservation efforts highlighted on The Ellen Show
Under the Ministry of the Blue Economy and the collaboration of local and international experts, Belize has been making significant efforts to protect marine species. One milestone that became a reality on June 25, 2021, was the establishment of a protected area of 1,500 square miles around Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Glover’s Reef, and Turneffe Atoll, where shark fishing is no longer allowed. The country’s efforts in shark conservation were discussed by shark expert Dr. Demian Chapman when he was a guest on the popular United States television show, The Ellen Show.
Conservation
Stakeholders attending virtual Smart Coast Project workshop say enforcement is critical for any environmental plan to succeed
Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) recently hosted a virtual workshop on the Smart Coast Project. Many of the participating stakeholders and environmentalists registered their disappointment in the lack of enforcement to protect Belize’s natural resources. The workshop presented modeling results and proposals for adaptation options and management scenarios in the northern communities of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.
