In 2017 alone, up to forty manatees were reported killed as a result of collisions with boats. And only twelve days into the New Year, three manatees have already been killed. It is cause for concern and Sea to Shore Alliance, which champions the conservation and protection of the sea cows, is dead set on […]
It is now illegal to explore for or exploit potential petroleum deposits in the maritime zone of Belize. Following the passage of the Petroleum Operations (Maritime Zone Moratorium) Act, 2017 in the House of Representatives on December eighth and the Senate five days later, the Governor General made the formal enactment on December twenty-ninth. The […]
Twenty-six-year-old Estevan Bol has turned his hobby into his full-time job. He had always been fascinated by fish, owned small fish aquariums and subsequently taught himself all there is to know about fish farming. Bol imports all kinds of fish for sale and has expanded his business to include more piscine[py-seen] related services. His hope […]
Under extremely short notice on Tuesday night, the City Emergency Management Organization, CEMO, opened shelters to residents looking to secure themselves and their families against the approaching tsunami threat. This followed the seven point six magnitude earthquake off the Swan Islands of Honduras. While most shelters were taken from the standard hurricane list, the newly-built […]
The cruel slaying of a young jaguar and its dumping in the Belize River has raised the ire of conservationists and the public alike. The cat, which is protected by law, was found dead earlier this week in the Belize River; it had been shot and its head cut off. Another jaguar was found dead […]
Still a little shaky from Tuesday night’s earthquake and tsunami scare? You’re not alone. Nearly forty-eight hours later, emergency preparedness responders are still marveling at Belize’s close call and formulating plans and ideals for the next time. Belize is located not far from the Swan Islands transform fault which produced another knee-buckler in 2009. That […]
Vulnerable populations, such as the stevedores who were out on the sugar boat on Tuesday night, should be covered in terms of planning by their employers as well as their own personal plans. CEMO Coordinator, Phillip Willoughby also drew our attention to an erroneous social media post claiming that a tsunami would hit around four-thirty […]
For the most part, none of the countries in the region reported any damage to buildings and other infrastructure. But here in Belize the Ministry of Works, supported by the National Emergency Management Organization, is conducting assessments of Belize’s established bridges to ensure that they are sound and safe. The City Emergency Management Organization, according […]
The reef report card was released on Wednesday in Belize City. We reported on Belize’s two point eight grade average, which conservationists gave the country after extensive research conducted on its reef. A total of three hundred and nineteen coral reef sites were studied along the coasts of Belize, Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. The report […]
Over the past few years, we have reported on the managed access program in Belize being implemented by the Fisheries Department, Environmental Defense Fund and other local conservation partners. It started out as a pilot program at the Port Honduras Marine Reserve and Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve – a program used to reduce fishing pressure […]
In news from the Belize City Council, residents of the area north of Cinderella Plaza up to the Barracks, including Kelly Street, Baymen Avenue, Wilson Street, Hunter’s Alley, Matron Roberts Street, Calle Al Mar and Simon Lamb Street should expect to see personnel from the Council and Ministry of Health in their area on Saturday […]
The tremors of a strong seven point six earthquake in Great Swan Island in Honduras were felt as far as Mexico and various areas of the country. Residents in Belize City, up north in Corozal as well as in other coastal areas felt the tremors shortly after nine o’clock on Tuesday night. The warning that […]
The tsunami threat caused a panic in the prime tourism island of San Pedro where residents took no chances and moved to safer buildings and shelters that were immediately opened to accommodate the rush of persons. Sea waters were reportedly receding, but in the following story News Five’s Duane Moody looks at the recent phenomenon […]
Adding to the frenzy following the offshore tremor was the perceived recession of seawater ahead of a resulting tsunami. As we said, it turns out that a phenomenon known as a spring tide has been occurring for the past several days, prior to the earthquake. Many took to social media to post images, as well […]
The Mesoamerican Reef provides economic, social and cultural benefits to Belize. It is valued around a billion dollars and recent reports show that just four of Belize’s seven marine protected areas provide up to nineteen million U.S. dollars per year in economic benefits from tourism recreation. But the reef is exposed to a number of […]
In an almost unbelievable case of animal cruelty for personal gain, the owner of Belize River Lodge near Manatee Lookout on the Philip Goldson Highway this morning came upon the headless carcass of a young male jaguar floating in the Belize River. The jaguar stood about two feet tall and nearly two feet around in […]
Heusner believes that the jaguar killer appeared only to have wanted the head and not the rest of the body. The jaguar is a protected species and fines are prescribed for any harm caused to the majestic creature. But that has not stopped some who accuse the big cats in the wild of preying on […]
Forty manatees were killed in 2017. It proved to be a dangerous and deadly year for the gentle mammals. Belize has one of the healthiest populations of the West Indian Manatee, but the specie continues to be under threat, particularly from boaters. And just two days into the New Year, one manatee has already been […]
Have you ever wanted to grow your own vegetables or herbs at home but haven’t been able to because you don’t have the space to do it? If so, hydroponic gardening could be the answer you’ve been looking for. It is a more sustainable approach to resource use than traditional farming. Hydroponics, simply put, is the […]
The Caye Caulker Airstrip project, an initiative that was, to an extent, prompted by Tropic and Maya Island Air’s decision to suspend flights to the island because of a faulty runway, is in limbo tonight. That’s because the Belize Airports Authority was banking on a loan facility from the Social Security Board to conduct much […]
The delay in commencing work on the Caye Caulker airstrip is having an impact on tourism on the island. As the fifth most trafficked runway in the country, it is safe to say that a significant loss in arrivals is being recorded. While Ruiz, admits that it may take some time to get the new […]
This Yuletide season, Belizeans are taking to the streets en masse to complete their seasonal shopping ahead of Christmas Day. While you will be out in the hustle and bustle of last-minute preparations, the Belize Police Department will be working overtime to secure your neighborhoods. But there’s also a request being made for residents to […]
Safety for the manatees – that is what Sea to Shore Alliance and partners are asking for. The organization, along with the Forestry Department and the Port Authority, hosted the annual free one-day workshop to sensitize tour guides and boat operators on dos and don’ts when dealing with manatees or operating within manatee zones. Up […]
The Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage is leading the congratulations for the National Assembly, whose members have adopted the Petroleum Operations (Maritime Zone Moratorium) Bill 2017. It now goes to the Governor General for his consent. But among all the plaudits are two outstanding concerns. One is how would the legislature handle a […]
As noted on Wednesday, both Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte and Leader of Government Business and former Natural Resources Minister Godwin Hulse indicate that no offshore oil licenses exist, and the government has no plans, according to Hulse and current minister Carla Barnett, to issue any. The Coalition’s press release indicates some confusion, therefore, about why […]
