Environment - Channel 5 Belize

Planning for Sustainability in Belizean Waters

This morning, the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute hosted its second Belize Sustainable Ocean Plan Geo-Spatial workshop. This three-day event gathers stakeholders to discuss priority ocean protection areas using specific data collection tools. It is a continuation of the Multi-sector Marine Spatial Planning Workshop hosted in 2024. News Five’s Britey Gordon has more details on the event.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Belize’s ocean space is crucial for the survival of many sectors, including tourism, fishing, and conservation. Protecting these shared waters is essential. Today, the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute started a geospatial workshop to help stakeholders identify priority areas for protection and understand how ocean space is used.

Samir Rosado, MSP Lead, CZMAI

“The purpose of the workshop is to look at the use and application of two decision support tools that we’re using in our MSP development process. The two tools that we’re looking at are namely Sea Sketch and Marxan. Now Sea Sketch is more of a data collection tool as well as a planning tool so it’s multifaceted. Sea Sketch is what we’re utilizing to capture information from the general public, from users of our ocean space to figure out exactly where our priority areas are for the various usages.”

The team wants to make sure that areas used for recreation and religious activities are included in the data collection, so people aren’t displaced. Data collection tools are crucial for this. At the workshop, there’s a team from the University of California, Santa Barbara, who developed the Sea Sketch Application. Senior Fellow Will McClintock explains how it works.

Will McClintock, National Center for Ecological Analysis & Synthesis, UC Santa Barbara

“It’s a tool that allows users who can be non-technical users, average stakeholders with no real expertise in, in mapping to map their values in terms of what areas in the ocean they value and how they use it, and then what areas they would like to protect and protected areas or biodiversity protection zones. So my team is here to teach folks how to use this tool and ultimately design biodiversity protection zones that are meeting science and policy guidelines for ecosystem protection while minimizing the displacement of users of ocean space.”

Sea Sketch is accessible to anyone with internet access and lets users add data to a map, showing popular areas and their uses. Another tool at the workshop is Marxan, which helps with marine spatial planning. Kate Longley-Wood, Marine Spatial Planning Science Manager at The Nature Conservancy, explains that the team is figuring out how to integrate the collected data into their technical tools.

Kate Longley-Wood, Marines Spatial Planning Science Manager, T.N.C.

“Marxan is a tool that lets users put in information about priorities for conservation. So Marxan can let users say, okay, I want a marine protected area network that represents. It’s thirty percent of coral reefs and maybe also integrates other stakeholder concerns, like avoiding areas that might have high levels of conflict or high levels of cost. And so this program is really good at taking really complex criteria and turning it into outputs that people can then understand and comment on. And so it’s a really great process that is used for Marie spatial planning processes around the world.”

Marxan can be used to provide potential solutions to complex conservation questions, such as where a country should place a marine protected area. It also works alongside tools such as Sea Sketch to generate input data results. Rosado explains that by continuing work such as this, Belize is on its way to meeting the thirty percent ocean space as biodiversity protection zone goal.

Samir Rosado

“That thirty percent goal is tied to two milestones that are time-bound deliverables under the blue bond agreement. Recently in November fourth of last year, we met the milestone four goal, which is to designate twenty-five percent of Belize’s ocean space as a biodiversity protection zone. So that was met in November of last year. So we are currently at twenty point zero five percent of our ocean space designated the remainder of the timeframe, or I should say the next milestone is due for November fourth of next year. And so we are working towards identifying and designating the remaining up to forty percent.”

Britney Gordon For News Five.

Stop Order Given to Cayo Rosario Development

Less than a week after News Five aired concerns from San Pedro residents about the Cayo Rosario development, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (M.I.D.H.) has issued a stop order to halt construction. On Friday, M.I.D.H. informed Daniel Kalenov, a director with the Cayo Rosario Development Group, about the stop order after a site visit on April ninth revealed that several buildings, including an entrance pier, were built without the necessary permits. In a letter to Kalenov, Derick Calles, Director of Building Control at the Central Building Authority, stated that the order will remain in effect until all required permits are obtained from the Central Building Authority and other relevant authorities for all structures and construction activities on the site. On April eighth, a public meeting in San Pedro saw dozens of residents, business owners, and environmental organizations voicing their opposition to the controversial development, which plans to build up to forty over-water structures in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Residents are particularly concerned about the piles driven into the sea to support a pier and an over-the-water concrete structure. The model currently in place represents what the other thirty-nine structures would entail. Citizens argue that interfering with the seabed to drive so many piles will permanently drive away the numerous types of fish that feed in the immediate area. Cayo Rosario is a six-acre island located about six miles west of San Pedro Town.

Placencia Tour Encounters Whale Shark in Gladden Spit Reserve

A group of tourists in the Gladden Spit Reserve had an unforgettable experience. Over the weekend, the Sea Horse Dive Shop in Placencia took them to the reserve, where they came face-to-face with a whale shark, the largest fish in the world. Whale shark sightings are common in the reserve this time of year, as they are drawn by the seasonal spawning of snappers and groupers. Only licensed tour guides can enter the whale shark zone, and getting too close to the animal is prohibited. We spoke with Elizabeth Muschamp, Executive Director at the Southern Environmental Association, about the organization’s work in the Gladden Spit Reserve.

On the Phone: Elizabeth Muschamp, Executive Director, SEA

“I am aware but I am not surprised. Gladden Spit is a marine reserve that has three different zones and one of those zones is the conservation zone or what we know as our spawning aggregation site. This is one of the reason why Gladden Spit was designated as a marine reserve, for the protection of the spawning aggregation site because it is one of the site that has a significant multi-species fish spawning, snappers and groupers, different species that spawn in the area. So we monitor from June every year, but locally it is know that from March to June, the snappers are spawning more that groupers and that time the whale sharks will come. So they are seasonal and known to be sighted between March and June, sometimes all the way up to July. SO they are known to drawn to spawning event. The tour operators are aware that they are not suppose to come in contact with the shark. If you listen to one of the videos I saw you can clearly hear the tour operator saying to not touch. So they are aware, which is why it is very important that only operators who are licensed can operate in the zone because they know and understand what we are trying to protect. So, they will abide by the rules.”

Mangrove Conservation Done Right!

In the heart of Belize, a remarkable initiative is taking root—the Mangrove Friendly Development Challenge. This inspiring competition is not just about winning awards; it’s about celebrating local heroes who are championing the conservation of mangroves. These vital ecosystems are nature’s unsung protectors, shielding our coastlines, nurturing diverse marine life, and playing a crucial role in the fight against climate change. As Belize faces the pressing need to preserve its natural treasures, the Mangrove Friendly Development Challenge shines a spotlight on innovative projects that blend development with sustainability, ensuring a resilient future for our coastal communities. On Thursday night, here in Belize City, an award ceremony was held to recognize the winners of the annual challenge. Here’s Isani Cayetano with that story.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Belize’s mangrove forests are incredibly important for the country’s diverse wildlife and the health of the Belize Barrier Reef. These trees act like natural shields against storm surges, waves, and coastal erosion, with thick roots helping to keep shorelines stable and prevent land loss during extreme weather. Mangroves are also home to many marine and land species, serving as nurseries for young fish, crabs, and mollusks, giving them a safe place to grow. Unfortunately, there’s been a troubling decline in mangrove covers in key coastal areas.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“The first global mangrove assessment shows that more than fifty percent of mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse. In the absence of additional conservation efforts, by 2050, seven thousand, sixty-five square kilometers or five percent more mangroves will be lost and twenty-three thousand, six hundred and seventy-two square kilometers, or sixteen percent more will be submerged.”

To tackle this issue, the WWF teamed up with leading environmental and government agencies to launch a national competition. This contest is all about celebrating and rewarding individuals and groups who are pioneering mangrove-friendly projects on private lands.

Nadia Bood, Country Representative, WWF

“The reason we did this is because we realized that mangroves are under a lot of stress. We are seeing increasing loss of mangroves from development, you know, many people are driven to develop along the coast. We have hotels, resorts, expansion of communities, of municipalities, and so we said that we need to find a way that we can engage the public, we can try to engage the development sector, the government, the planners, in an initiative that can bring people together to effect change.”

Healthy mangrove ecosystems draw tourists and promote sustainable fishing. Keeping these ecosystems intact is crucial for the well-being and longevity of coastal communities. Mangroves are nature’s all-stars, offering protection, supporting diverse wildlife. Mangroves are amazing at soaking up and storing carbon dioxide, playing a big role in fighting climate change. They can capture up to four times more carbon per square meter than rainforests.

Beverly Wade, C.E.O., Blue Economy & Marine Conservation

“We have challenges that we have no control over, like climate change, as mentioned earlier, but we have challenges that are man-made challenges. We have development challenges which we are challenged to find that balance and for us to not see mangrove areas as an area that we need to mow down full and look pretty, but that it can be aesthetically pleasing and at the same time allowed to maintain its functionality which has so many other co-benefits.”

The Belize Tourism Board launched the Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program to tackle the health and safety challenges brought by Covid-19. This program introduced better guidelines and protocols for hotels and restaurants, ensuring guest experiences remain top-notch. It has significantly raised the bar for hotel operations across Belize. El Ben has not only met these high standards but surpassed them, and on Thursday night, they proudly took home the prestigious award from the Mangrove Friendly Development Challenge 2024.

Saira Mahabir, Manager, El Ben Cabanas

“I was really shocked and really, really happy, humbled that we were recognized. From the beginning when they were doing the development, the owner, Mr. McWaters, Brian McWaters, he saved a lot of the mangroves and used it to beautify the property, and he saved all the mangroves in the front of the sea so he can actually use it as a shield to the property. If you look at the seaside, you will see all the mangroves, you wouldn’t see the resort at all.”

The Mangrove Friendly Development Challenge tells an inspiring story of local efforts to boost environmental sustainability and resilience in Belize. Isani Cayetano for News Five.

B.E.L. Seeks Rate Increase; PUC Reviewing Application

Your electricity bill might go up as early as July if the Public Utilities Commission approves Belize Electricity Limited‘s request for a rate hike. B.E.L. submitted their proposal on April fourth, covering the period from January 1st, 2026, to June 30th, 2028. The P.U.C. will spend thirty days reviewing the ninety-one-page document before announcing their initial decision. After that, B.E.L. customers will have ten days to share their opinions. News Five’s Marion Ali has the scoop on what B.E.L. is asking for.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Belize Electricity Limited is asking for a rate increase from forty cents to at least forty-three cents per kilowatt-hour. This three-cent hike would start on January first, 2026, and last until June thirtieth, 2028, when the next tariff review is due. B.E.L. argues that the proposed rate hike is essential to offset the rising costs of energy imports and the inflationary pressures on their operating and maintenance expenses. Additionally, the utility company highlights the need for investments to upgrade and modernize the grid, connect new renewable energy sources, and install other supportive equipment. B.E.L. believes that this increase will provide stability over the requested period.

B.E.L. is aiming for a revenue requirement of three hundred million dollars for 2024-2025, which is actually forty-three million less than the previous period. They predict that the cost of power will go up by an average of three-point-three-five percent each year due to increasing generation needs, which are expected to rise by over five percent annually. As a result, the cost of power is projected to exceed two hundred and twenty-two million dollars this year and climb to over two hundred and fifty-one million by 2029.

In its submission, B.E.L. mentioned that from 2020 to 2024, it invested an average of thirty-three million dollars each year to expand its distribution system. This allowed them to connect two thousand new customers annually and improve grid accessibility across the country. By 2024, B.E.L. had over one hundred and thirteen thousand customers, marking a twenty-five percent increase since 2016. Consequently, electricity sales surged by thirty-point-four percent during that period.

On top of these increases, B.E.L.’s operational expenses are expected to rise by nearly five percent each year over the planned period. They report that forty-six percent of this year’s budget is dedicated to payroll alone. Their operating costs have consistently exceeded regulatory limits over the past period, reflecting the growing financial demands of maintaining a modern grid. From 2020 to 2024, B.E.L.’s actual operational expenses surpassed the P.U.C.-approved thresholds by two to four million dollars annually.

B.E.L. reports that since 2020, its net fixed assets have grown by twenty-eight percent, thanks to ongoing investments in infrastructure, system upgrades, and service improvements. Looking ahead, the company expects this figure to jump by another fifty percent by the end of 2028. This snapshot is just a glimpse of what the P.U.C. will be reviewing in the coming weeks before making its initial decision on B.E.L.’s application. After that, B.E.L. customers will have ten days to share their opinions. News Five will keep you updated when the decision is made. Marion Ali for News Five.

Over a Dozen Groups Attend Meeting to Reject Cayo Rosario

Several concerned groups in San Pedro are rallying against the Cayo Rosario project and have devised a plan to halt its progress. At a public meeting on Tuesday night, the groups, united under the San Pedro Citizens for Sustainable Development, announced their intention to lawyer up and prevent Cayo Rosario from disrupting the seabed around the island. While the six-acre island is private property, the surrounding sea is part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The citizens are firm that, regardless of any approval the developer has from the Department of Environment, they do not want the project to impact on the sea. Here’s News Five’s Marion Ali with more on what the islanders had to say about Cayo Rosario.

Concerned Citizen #1

“Our home is your home but we have rules if you come here. You cannot destroy it.”

Concerned Citizen #2

“No structure over the water. They started at a hundred and ten approved, they went down to forty, my brother, they’re not going to get even one.”

Concerned Citizen #3

“Don’t destroy the islands; don’t destroy for development. Build your development around what exists.”

Wally Nunez, Mayor, San Pedro

“This is not about colours and this is not about pointing fingers to who approved or who didn’t approve. We need to fight so that in the future these things don’t happen but we need to fight so that this one doesn’t happen.”

Concerned Citizen #4

“We need to fight; we need to go to Belmopan and do a demonstration. Don’t be afraid.”

Concerned Citizen #5

“Yes, I’m emotional because I love that Belize is ours and I’m going to fight teeth, hands and feet to show that this is what we want.”

Marion Ali, Reporting

Tuesday night at the San Pedro Lion’s Den was heated, with tempers flaring and emotions running high. The crowd gathered to voice their strong objections to the Cayo Rosario development. According to a revised Environmental Compliance Plan signed by the Department of the Environment and the developer in 2020, the project can move forward if it meets the environmental requirements. Just last week, government agencies reviewed the project again and gave it the green light. Right now, Cayo Rosario has an unfinished cement structure standing over the sea, connected to the island by a pier. This is the model for the other thirty-nine structures they plan to build, which means driving hundreds of piles into the seabed to support the buildings and piers. San Pedro Mayor Wally Nunez, who is also a licensed tour operator, attended the meeting. He understands the residents’ concerns and says he’s standing with them in this cause.

Wally Nunez, Mayor, San Pedro

“Even though Cayo Rosario doesn’t fall under the Town Council’s jurisdiction, and we have expanded our municipal boundaries, and it still doesn’t include Cayo Rosario, even though it’s that part of our jurisdiction, it directly affects our people. It’s the livelihood of our fishermen, of our tour guides that visit these islands, and so we have to be concerned. So, I came here today not only as a mayor, but also as a tour guide; also as a resident to listen out and to be informed more than anything else about what is the situation with Cayo Rosario. I’m here to stand with my people and we will fight the fight if that’s the case.”

We tried to get a comment from Belize Rural South Area Representative and Blue Economy Minister, Andre Perez, but had no luck. So, we asked Mayor Nunez about their discussions on the topic to find out where the minister stands.

Wally Nunez

“I have reached out to him and I know that himself as well as Hol Chan were trying to fight this not to happen. However, there are permits already issued and if that is the case, then there are some legalities when it comes to these things. So, we’re just looking at different options and partnering with the San Pedro Citizens for Sustainable Development.”

Oceana, represented by Alyssa Noble, as well as the World Wildlife Fund, represented by Nadia Bood, were on hand to lend their support to the fight against the project.

Nadia Bood, Senior Program Officer, W.W.F.

“Only through your voices can there be changes. When communities are effectively engaged, change will happen. So I commend you guys and we will be there to support you along the way.”

Alyssa Noble, Communications Director, Oceana

“There are Belizeans everywhere who are fighting this fight, and we’re going to continue fighting this fight, if we don’t take a stand now. So we’re here to show support, we’re here to support; we’re here to lend experience, expertise, because this is not new.”

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, established in 1987, aims to protect marine areas where endangered species thrive. Interestingly, no one from Hol Chan attended the meeting, but former Director Miguel Alamilla, a trained marine biologist, is fully backing the groups opposing the project. He mentioned that during his time leading the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, he fought hard to keep the sea around Cayo Rosario untouched.

Miguel Alamilla, Marine Biologist

“The whole idea was to keep it pristine, natural for the fishermen to maintain their livelihoods for maybe perpetuity. Bonefish feed on those sandy flats and those researchers – that’s why I question the validity of that research because if you go there, you see white sand, but within that sand there’s a lot of organisms and crustaceans living within that eco-system and that’s where the bonefish go and feed.”

When the developers of Cayo Rosario purchased the six-acre island in 2008, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve did not include the sea around the island. The reserve was expanded in 2015 and that was when the sea around the island became a part of the reserve. Despite everything, the groups firmly believe that private property doesn’t extend to the surrounding sea and that no development should interfere with it. The public meeting was led by the San Pedro Citizens for Sustainable Development. The organization has over a dozen group members comprising tour operators, environmentalists and concerned residents. The San Pedro Tour Operators Association, chaired by Roberto Canul, is one of its members.

Roberto Canul, Chairman, San Pedro Tour Operators Association

“If they destroy those flats, you will never see the marine life, the fishes, the bonefish, the tarpon, the permits that visit those areas. You will never see that again. We just saw a video the other day of people being chased from the area because of the development that is happening there, and we don’t stand for those type of things.”

The Environmental Compliance Plan states in Point One that clearance is given to Cayo Rosario Development Limited for the construction of, among other things, overwater bungalows, an arrival dock, an outdoor pool, an island villa, island cottages, a beach club and an education center. Dr. Abdiel Perez, another marine biologist, explained that the activities in the sea have already had a negative impact on the seabed.

Dr. Abdiel Perez, Marine Biologist

“Just that area in the south, where they are already putting a lot of the material hosted at least eight hundred to a thousand bonefish easily at any time. Because of all of the development, there’s nothing there now. All the dredging, all the noise, all the material that they’re dumping is changing the entire bottom.”

The concerned groups are planning to hire a legal expert to help them navigate the situation. They’re also setting up a GoFundMe account to cover their expenses. In the coming weeks, they plan to create videos showing the damage that’s already occurred and seek international support to halt the project’s progress. Marion Ali for News Five.

The concerned groups had also rejected the Blackadore Development Project several years ago, which had a similar plan to build overwater structures. That project did not materialize as a result. News Five has tried to get a comment from the representatives of the Cayo Rosario project, but our efforts have been futile.

The Sargassum Scourge Returns in San Pedro

As the Caribbean braces for another busy hurricane season, there’s something else we need to get ready for: the invasion of sargassum mats drifting in from the Atlantic Ocean. Early signs suggest that we’ll be seeing a lot of sargassum on our shores this year, with the first batch already making an appearance. News Five caught up with San Pedro Mayor, Wally Nunez, to find out how his council plans to tackle this unwelcome and costly problem.

Wally Nunez, Mayor, San Pedro

“We try to take it out from the ocean as soon as possible, because once it stays on the shoreline, it starts to decay, decompose, and then it’s, it smelts. But if you take it out from the water, it dries out with the sun and it doesn’t sink as much. What we do with the sargassum is we’re taking it to an area by San Pedrito, where we are filling up an area for recreational purpose. So that way we are showing that we are using sargassum for another purpose. Yes, it is landfill, but then we also put material on top of it so that it doesn’t smell and it settles. We have filled an area where you can see kids using it as a little park to play football. So we want to increase on that and expand on that area so that it turns like into an entire recreational area for something different for the entire town. But our main issue is not what we do with the sargassum afterwards. Our issue is taking it out from the water in the quantities that are coming in. It’s very difficult. Luckily, we have some resorts that are doing their part. B.T.B. is also helping us financially to be able to put more manpower out there to assist in the cleanup. However, it is mother nature and it’s difficult to keep up.”

San Pedro and Clearwater to Form Sister-City Partnership

As San Pedro residents gear up for tonight’s 7 p.m. public meeting on the controversial Cayo Rosario development, Mayor Wally Nunez has just returned from Clearwater, Florida. There, he’s been in talks with officials to establish a sister-city partnership focused on marine conservation. Earlier today, News Five caught up with Clearwater resident and attorney Greg Crist, who shared more details about this exciting collaboration.

Greg Crist, Attorney-at-law

“This was something that my partner, Michael Estephan, came up with. He was actually searching for a sister-city relationship with San Pedro and he reached out to me because of the unique proximity of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium building a facility in Gales Point. And so, the connection between the city of Clearwater and San Pedro had a unique connection through the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Mayor Wally’s visit was really quite historic, in terms of being more than a symbolic gesture. This is truly a step towards an international relationship that’s gonna be rooted in marine conservation, cultural exchange and sustainable ecotourism.”

Isani Cayetano

“What other features of this partnership do we, as Belizeans, look forward to from Clearwater?”

Greg Crist

“Well there’s gonna be significant opportunities in blue economy jobs. Mayor Wally’s project right now is completing phase one which is initiating the sister-city relationship with the city of Clearwater. He came to Clearwater, this is his second visit, by the way, his first visit was a workshop to begin developing regional ties. That’s stakeholders and collaborators within the business realm that would support the relationship, working on cultural exchange educational opportunities, exchanges with business opportunities and some best practices towards coastal conservation, and that’s a very significant element for Mayor Wally right now. With manatees, dolphins and sea turtles and the ecosystems that those critical marine species need to survive. We have a very unique biosystem in San Pedro and it’s important that Clearwater Marine Aquarium and San Pedro develop an international marine center to study this Mesoamerican Reef and more importantly the species that call it home.”

Belize Marine Rescue and Educational Center Soon to be a Reality

In December 2024, construction began on the Belize Marine Rescue and Educational Center in Gales Point Village, located at Southern Lagoon. This center will be open to the public, providing a unique opportunity to see the efforts to protect Belize’s precious marine wildlife up close. Greg Crist, along with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, has played a key role in making this initiative a reality.

Greg Crist, Attorney-at-law

“There has been a groundbreaking facility, that project is a fully funded facility. That hospital will go forward, it will be built and it will be a critical environment for not only manatees but perhaps other species. What we’re talking about in San Pedro is a support component that will work very, very closely in hand. Belize is going to be a world-class center for marine science, and this is what [Mayor] Nunez has been focused on in his visits here at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida.”

Modern Technology to Advance Conservation Efforts

Down in Placencia Village, the conservation group Strong Coasts is hosting some exciting technical training on LiDAR technology and Multispectral Imaging. These high-tech tools provide 3D data on terrain, vegetation, and wavelengths beyond what the naked eye can see. At the same time, Strong Coasts is holding sessions on erosion, a topic that hits close to home for the villagers. On Monday night, the community gathered for a presentation on coastal erosion, based on three days of data collected by visiting experts from the U.S. We caught up with Placencia-based Environmental Engineering Professor Maya Trotz to learn more about these activities.

Maya Trotz, Environmental Engineering Professor

“The lidar and multispectral drone helps, they are trying to push the science to find out what information they can get on the ecosystem. Can they tell whether it is a mangrove or palm, from the data. Can they tell how tall something is. Can they tell the density of the mangrove, the health of the mangroves. It is pushing the boundaries for that type of research can support ground shooting activities that with a smaller staff you don’t really get to trample through those ecosystems to document that. Looking at how some of these tools can complement the work that people are doing. With three days of data I asked that a talk be given. We did that last night with one day’s notice. It was a packed crowd. It was supposed to rain; it stormed yesterday, and people came out. We were supposed to squeeze in to a small part of the Point Placencia Restaurant and Bar, but people are really interested. He gave a presentation that was walking through a 101 on erosion and sharing data collected so far. There is a stretch of beach, because of how the waves are coming in, it erodes faster. That is one of the areas the community is really concerned about. It has a lot of sargassum filling there.”