Coral Bleaching Event, Possibly the Worst in a Decade

A rise in seawater temperatures, along with other enduring factors and practices, has resulted in recent coral bleaching events impacting Belize’s reefs.  While these occurrences are not unusual, the trend and seriousness of mass coral bleaching events has been unremitting.  The Belize Fisheries Department, together with the National Coral Reef Monitoring Network, is conducting an assessment of the extent of the bleaching.  The department is also working closely with its partners to establish a plan of action to respond to what may very well be one of the worst bleaching events the country’s reef system has experienced in the last ten years.  Belize is hoping to join countries like Barbados and the Maldives in advocating for more urgent carbon dioxide reductions and to ensure appropriate compensation or mitigation to address the damages already done.  Coming out of COP27 in 2022, an agreement was made to establish and operationalize a loss and damage fund to ensure that small island nations like Belize can continue efforts in protecting its national coral reef treasure.