Belize Women’s Seaweed Farmers Association Launches Mariculture Project

Today, the Belize Women’s Seaweed Farmers Association (BWSFA) launched an exciting new mariculture project called “Empowering BWSFA: Strengthening Sustainable Seaweed Mariculture through Capacity Building, Marketing, and Innovation.” This project aims to provide environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive solutions for Belize’s blue economy, which has been hit hard by overfishing, unsustainable practices, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The project has received around $100,000 from the UK Government’s Sustainable Blue Economies Program Blue Social Challenge Fund. BWSFA President Jalima Gold explained that this initiative will help grow Belize’s mariculture sector through training, farm expansions, and community involvement. Here’s more on this transformative project.

 

Jalima Gold, President, BWSFA

“Our goal is to create high quality seaweed products while preserving Belize’s marine environment and supporting our communities by focusing on the framework of the seaweed mariculture industry here in Belize. We currently cultivate two key types of seaweed one is Ecoma isophorum and the other is Capificus albaresi, and these are cultivated using eco friendly practices that protect our waters and bost marine life in the surrounding areas. Beyond just farming seaweed, we are empowering our members to turn this seaweed into valuable products like cosmetics and nutritious food items. As an association, we are promoting sustainable economic growth, marine conservation, climate resilience, and gender equality. All major sustainable development goals for the country of Belize. Our work helps reduce overfishing, provide habitats for marine life, and create opportunities for women and youth in coastal communities. Community impact goes beyond just income. As a women led organization, BWSFA not only creates jobs, but it also empowers women and youth to lead by breaking gender barriers in our community. We build capacity, we provide support in value adding, in farming, and marketing of small businesses within our community.  Our methods contribute to a healthier marine ecosystem and more biodiversity, which is a benefit to Belize as a whole, our whole community, and the world at large.  Belize Women’s Seaweed Farmers Association deserves this award because we are doing much more than just growing seaweed. We are growing the future of the blue economy here in Belize. Our model proves that the environmental responsibility and economic opportunity can go hand in hand. We’re here as an association to create real lasting change for Belize’s waters, our communities, and the people of our country.”