Tag:
Sargassum
Community and Society
Community Volunteers Unite for Another Sargassum Clean-Up
A grassroots movement formed by a group of island residents known as San Pedro Citizens for Change (SPCC) continues to advocate for local needs through community action. The group recently organized another Sargassum clean-up effort in the downtown area. The latest campaign took place on Sunday, May 31st, when volunteers tackled a section of beach north of Central Park that had become nearly impassable due to large accumulations of the brown seaweed. SPCC thanked everyone who participated and stated that it plans to continue its clean-up efforts every other week, along with other community projects.
Environment
$25 million invested in San Pedro’s fight against Sargassum
The ongoing influx of Sargassum continues to impact Belize's coastline, particularly tourism-dependent destinations such as San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker. Local and central government authorities have invested significant resources to manage the problem. On May 27th, it was confirmed that approximately $25 million has been spent on Sargassum mitigation and beach clean-up efforts in San Pedro alone, yet the challenge remains far from resolved.
Environment
Sea Turtle Nesting Season Officially Begins on Ambergris Caye
The 2026 sea turtle nesting season has officially started in northern Ambergris Caye, with the first four nests confirmed by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Over the years, Hol Chan has monitored sea turtle nesting sites along the island's northern beaches during the nesting period, which typically runs until November. However, human activities and natural challenges, such as the increasing amount of Sargassum, continue to threaten these nesting areas.
Community and Society
San Pedro Launches Sargassum-to-Sand Initiative for Beach Nourishment
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has set up several composting sites to handle the ongoing influx of sargassum. The initiative allows the seaweed to dry for about 60 days, after which it can be turned into usable material for beach nourishment projects. This method addresses immediate cleanup needs while supporting long-term coastal restoration, especially as sargassum arrives earlier than expected. SPTC representatives explained the process during an interview on April 8th, mentioning that sites have been established in areas such as Boca del Rio, Central Park, San Pedro High School, near the church, the library, and the cemetery.
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.
Environment
SPTC opens applications for sargassum mitigation efforts
As sargassum continues to cover coastlines and threaten marine ecosystems on Ambergris Caye, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has implemented a formal approval process for mitigation measures, including sargassum corrals and heavy machinery. The initiative, launched on March 23rd, aims to control the increasing inflow of seaweed affecting beaches, tourism, and daily life on the island.
Community and Society
San Pedro Town Council Advances Infrastructure Works Across the Island
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) continues to carry out a series of infrastructure improvements across the island, focusing on road conditions, drainage systems, and environmental concerns. As part of these efforts, crews completed initial repairs on the Boca del Rio Bridge on Tuesday, March 17th, and Wednesday, March 18th, working from 6PM each evening. The work included replacing damaged cobblestones and paving in affected areas, while other upgrades like drain cleaning, maintenance hole repairs, and sargassum removal are being done in various parts of town.
Community and Society
Over 100 Tons of Early Sargassum Cleared From San Pedro Beaches
San Pedro Town experienced an unusually early influx of sargassum, which began washing ashore on public beaches on Monday, January 26, 2026. The San Pedro Town Council immediately mobilized its cleanup team to respond.