Over two thousand acres of land in Democracia Village is being named the Sharon Matola Wildlife Sanctuary in honor of the late Sharon Matola. Her work as a biologist, environmentalist and zookeeper began in Belize in 1981. She went on to establish the Belize Zoo, now considered internationally as the best little zoo in the […]
And this afternoon at the Belize Zoo, friends and colleagues of the late Sharon Matola gathered to celebrate her legacy in wildlife conservation. Her successor, Celso Poot, is the director of the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center. He also spoke about the importance of the Sharon Matola Wildlife Sanctuary. Celso Poot, Director, The […]
It has been several weeks since we showed you the devastating images of sargassum plaguing the coastline, particularly across tourist destinations. Today, we returned to the island town of San Pedro where the situation has improved somewhat, by mitigating efforts of hoteliers, but also the change of weather conditions. There is also a solution from […]
Earlier in our newscast, we spoke with Miriam Ochaeta-Serrut about the unfortunate incident in the north where a little girl ingested a poisonous chemical. During our conversation with the Registrar of Pesticides, we asked for an update on another incident, this one in San Vicente Village, Toledo District. Six persons fell ill after ingesting contaminated […]
Gordon advised that there are factors that are going to be in play during this hurricane season’s above normal prediction. Already, he said, there are between sixteen to twenty-one storms forming, with between six and ten becoming hurricanes. Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist, National Meteorological Office “When it comes to seasonal prediction, there are two […]
We also asked Dr. Martinez about the country’s access to green climate funding through the Green Climate Fund. The fund was established in 2010 within the frame work of the United Nations Frame Work Convention on Climate Change. It assists developing countries like Belize in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change. Coastal communities […]
The Indigenous Livelihood and Climate Justice Program is giving youths from indigenous communities an opportunity to take climate action in their communities. The program is being spearheaded by the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) in partnership with the Department of Youth Services. CYEN launched an open call for indigenous youths to apply to the program […]
The discussion continued today in Sarteneja over a fisheries regulation that was passed into law in March of this year for a four point five ounce lobster tail weight as the approved threshold, up from four ounces. There was also an increase in the escape gap size of the lobster traps. And this has not […]
We also asked Minister Perez about his ministry’s response to the sargassum issue plaguing Belize’s coast. According to Minister Perez, a team consisting of members from the Ministry of Blue Economy, Sustainable Development, and Tourism was sent to Playa del Carmen, Mexico to observe a cleanup initiative that is currently being undertaken. The ministry is […]
The Belize Network of N.G.O.’s says it is concerned about the effects that our fossil fuel-driven planet has had on the climate crisis, particularly as it has been demonstrated along Belize’s coast and cayes. The N.G.O. umbrella draws specific attention to several parts of our coastline and a number of popular islands that have been […]
Dr. Kay says the B.N.N. empathizes with the residents of Placencia, Seine Bight and Monkey River who channeled their efforts and resources to take physical action to the crisis. But, while the intent was admirable, the work proceeded without any of the legally required permits. Dr. Elma Kay, Secretary, B.N.N. Steering Committee “In the […]
Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, Andre Perez has been meeting with fishing communities across the country to hear their concerns on the new Fisheries Act amendment which seeks to increase the size of lobster catch permitted to four point five ounces. From the first few consultations held, several decisions have been taken. The […]
Minister Perez is scheduled to meet with residents in Sarteneja Village on Friday. When he was asked if he is confident that he will get the buy-in of Sarteneja residents, Minister Perez suggested that there are some political motives at play among protestors in the community. But, according to the Minister of Blue Economy, he […]
Last week, the Fisheries Department announced new requirements for fisher folk who are harvesting conch and lobster. The size of their catch increases by half inch for both products. This too has been met with protest from the fishing communities of Caye Caulker and Sarteneja, among others. U.D.P. Corozal Southeast Caretaker Tony Herrera shared the […]
For years, Hopkins and Dangriga have been plagued by severe coastal erosion and an unsightly accumulation of sargassum on its shores. It is only getting worse. The National Climate Change Office and other partner stakeholders conducted a survey that yielded critical data that is useful in addressing the chronic climatic and environmental issues in these […]
The Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, under the Ministry of the Blue Economy, and in partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing, broke ground for infrastructural upgrades. The project is in tandem with the I.D.B.’s Climate Vulnerability Reduction Program and includes a new pier, a palapa and eco-friendly sleeping quarters and bathrooms. […]
The joint effort in San Pedro to quickly collect and remove tons of rotting sargassum from its shoreline will include the involvement of government, the town council, and the business community there. San Pedro Mayor Gualberto Nunez told News Five today that a public consultation that took place last evening to discuss the problem yielded […]
While the San Pedro community is taking care of its sargassum issues, it still needs all the help it can get. Notwithstanding its location on Ambergris Caye, the entire island stretches for twenty-five miles. Mayor Nunez says there are a few things on his council’s wish list that, if they are lucky to get, would […]
Climate change has become a buzz word for Small Island Developing States like Belize. The effects of climate change are visible along Belize’s coast where many communities are experiencing firsthand the erosion of beaches and homes. Mitigating the effects of climate change along Belize’s coast requires a multi-sectoral approach, says Kennedy Carillo, the C.E.O. in […]
A ‘G.C.F.’ grant fund for nine hundred thousand dollars was also launched at today’s workshop. The grant fund is being directed towards identifying and finding solution to the effects of climate change along the coast of Belize. The Ministry of Economic Development is the National Designated Authority of G.C.F. in Belize. Dr. Osmond Martinez, the […]
The years-old seasonal invasion of the sea grass known as sargassum had made itself scarce for the last couple years, but this year, it has once again shown up along this region. Most of the coastal communities along its path, including La Isla Bonita are seeing, and smelling, rotting sargassum along their shorelines. And this […]
In order to export sargassum as a raw material to convert into firewood, collecting the sea grass is another key aspect of its overall management. Today, Minister of the Blue Economy and Area Representative for Belize Rural South, Andre Perez, said there are quicker ways to extract sargassum from the seashore than with rakes, shovels […]
Over the weekend, Stann Creek West Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson met with concerned residents from Placencia and neighbouring villages about the erosion situation out at Silk Caye. He promised that the matter would have been brought up in cabinet and today, Minister of Blue Economy Andre Perez and C.E.O. Kennedy and other technical staff of […]
A task force has been established to include stakeholders from the ministries of Blue Economy and Sustainable Development and Climate Change to look at best practices to put in place for a short-term and long-term solution to the degradation. The task force will ensure that the plan is environmentally sound and in compliance with the […]
Also in attendance was the chairman of Monkey River Village, Leonardo Castro. Earlier this year, we shared with you the reality on the ground where the small village is battling extinction due to erosion. Castro believes that today’s meeting was positive and that there will be some support coming to the village. Leonardo Castro, […]
