PACT Challenge combines competition, education
They have been promoting the event for months and as I speak, some fifteen hardy souls and a small army of support troops are resting up for one more day of adventurous competition. Today News Five cameraman Rick Romero received an aerial tour of the event, sponsored by the Protected Areas Conservation Trust. News Five’s Janelle Chanona put the pictures together.
Janelle Chanona
For many Belizeans, the wonders of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll are accessible only through magazines, postcards and the telephone directory. But for the fifteen participants in this year’s PACT Challenge, some of the country’s most pristine ecosystems have become a most fascinating classroom.
The three teams include members of the Belize Defence Force, employees of Sea Sports Belize and students from the University of Belize. Since the challenge officially started on Sunday, the men and women have been diving, kayaking, snorkelling and educating themselves about the marine ecosystems.
Anwar Barrow, Judge, PACT Challenge
“We’ve seen a lot of marine life and for a lot of people who haven’t been out here before, it’s an eye opening experience and it gives us all the more reason as to why we need to protect certain pristine marine areas in Belize.”
But between searching for, and tagging, lobster and conch, the challengers have also come face to face with other realities of the sea: on Sunday the teams accompanied the rangers that investigated a boat that had run aground nearby.
Sharon Perera, Grants Program Director, PACT
“We’ve seen issues with fishermen. There was an incident with some Cubans docking up on shore, needing some assistance on their way to Honduras so they’ve been able to see really what happens every day in the life of these marine protected areas managers as well as fishermen.”
Day three of the PACT challenge will take the teams to the Turneffe Islands Atoll.
Andrew Godoy, PACT Board Member/Judge
“You find that because as we advance, as the day goes by and we get more into the activities each team is becoming more competitive but also taking it as a learning experience for them. And like I said, we have with us a medical team; we have the full support team, so we have provided for the teams all along. PACT has ensured that all necessities are provided over the next few days that the challenge will be taking place.”
Organizers hope through awareness and education, protecting Belize’s natural resources will become a team effort. Reporting for News Five, I am Janelle Chanona.
The Challengers will wrap up the event with a sailing race finishing Wednesday afternoon at the Radisson pier in Belize City.
