Today, members of the Belize Port Authority and various stakeholders came together to review the latest data on Belize’s Port Industry. With this information in hand, the Belize Port Authority aims to collaborate with stakeholders to make improvements to the ports. News Five’s Britney Gordon was there for the presentation of these findings. Here’s the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Last year, the Belize Port Authority sought consultants to conduct an economic and social impact study on the country’s ports. Now, over a year later, representatives and stakeholders have come together to discuss the study’s findings. We caught up with Kaylon Young, the Acting Port Commissioner, at the Belize Port Authority, to get more details on what they discovered.
Kaylon Young
Kaylon Young, Acting Post Commissioner
“Some of the key findings was that for one Belize does, the port does have a great impact on the economy first and foremost. But we can do better. There is room for improvement in terms of infrastructure at the ports, in terms of digitalization, in terms of efficiency. So how we could increase the efficiency of the ports, increase the infrastructure at the ports, to have a greater impact on our economy and the social being of Belizeans.”
The study highlighted that for Belize’s ports to stay competitive, they need to adapt to advancing technology. Ships are getting bigger and harder to handle, and without expanding, Belize’s port industry risks falling behind.
Kaylon Young,
“So if we want to keep up with the times, keep up with the changing the infrastructure, keep up with the happenings in the maritime sector, we have to do some improvements, improve efficiency, improve in digitalization, and see how we can ensure that. As time changes we’re keeping up and we’re assisting in doing our part in building our economy and helping the communities.”
With the data now in hand, the Belize Port Authority will determine what recommendations can be made to enhance the port. Eduardo Lugo, CEO of Maritime and Logistics Consulting Group, which conducted the study, explained that their initial proposal focused on three main deliverables: evaluating Belize’s existing ports, conducting an economic and social impact assessment, and assessing the Belize Port Authority itself.
Eduardo Lugo
Eduardo Lugo, CEO, Maritime & Logistics Consulting Group
“We met with them and the position of the people working in the Belize Port Authority and the output of that study was what needs to be done to capture more value of the port sector in Belize. And how the Belize Port Authority, what measure do they need to take to improve their performance and to improve the port sector.”
The economic impact assessment was broken down into two models: cargo and cruise. Lugo explains the decision to separate them.
Eduardo Lugo
“In cargo, you have agricultural, for example. If you increase agriculture, then that impacts directly. In the port because of the export of agricultural products. But in the case of tourism, people fly from other countries to Belize. So they pay for airline tickets. They arrive in Belize. They pay taxis or they rent cars. They pay for hotels. They pay, they go to restaurants, for example. So it’s a different activity that needs to be measured in a different way. So that is the reason for making two separate studies or two separate models for that study.”
Lugo felt it necessary that cruise tourism be appropriately evaluated because of the extensive contributions it has to Belize’s economy.
Eduardo Lugo
“The cruise activity, the cruise tourism has an economic impact of close to fpur point two percent of GDP in Belize. And the economic impact is one point three. For every dollar that, that the port receives, There are thirty additional cents in the economy due to cruise tourism.”
Just three weeks ago, the contract to pave three miles of the San Carlos Road was signed, and now the project is in full swing. This development is set to transform the lives of local farmers and residents, making it easier for them to travel to their farms and markets where they sell their produce. Today, Agriculture Minister Jose Abelardo Mai and MIDH Engineer Irving Thimbriel visited San Carlos to discuss the project further. News Five’s Marion Ali was on the scene to report on the event.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The paving of three point zero seven miles of the San Carlos Road under the Resilient Rural Belize Program will begin shortly. The project is valued at one point one nine million dollars. Today Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai said that the current road has been traversed by villagers who are now engineers and persons at university level.
Jose Abelardo Mai
Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture
“We have a highway now that leads you straight to the village of San Carlos. In those days, there wasn’t even a school in San Carlos. The kids had to walk to Indian Church to get their education. Those same kids who had to walk from San Carlos to Indian Church, are now engineers today. They’re agricultural engineers, one of them is studying in Cuba, he’s getting his Bachelor’s in Business. Those same kids who had to walk.”
Engineer with the MIDH, Irving Thimbriel explained that there had to be studies done before the work could begin.
Irving Thimbriel
Irving Thimbriel, Civil Engineer, MIDH
“Many times we have gotten roads that have affected the people who live near the edge of the road. So those things we have to take into account so that we can have an effective solution that covers all those things in the case of that project. Even though we didn’t do a complete study several times we came here to see the people of the village to know what can happen. When the road itself is finished, we take those things into account and we include them in the design of the road itself.”
Thimbriel says that after the technical studies are completed, they had to come up with a workable concept for the project.
Irving Thimbriel
“After that, we went to the office to do a development plan to come up with a concept. After all that, how high we have to raise the road, how wide it has to be, the places where there are weaknesses. And after going through all that, we came here to talk to the chairman to present the things we found.”
Ready Call Center RCCBPO celebrated the grand opening of its eighth location in Belize, right here in Belize City. This new office is a shining example of how the industry is boosting the local economy. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with more details.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The BPO industry is on the rise, and thousands of Belizeans across the country rely on it to make ends meet. Wednesday was a big day for Ready Call Center BPO as they celebrated the opening of their eighth location in Belize. Prime Minister John Briceño was there for the grand opening in Belize City, highlighting the significant contributions the BPO industry makes to the economy.
Prime Minister John Вrісеñо
Prime Minister John Вrісеñо
“The BPO sector has come a long way from employing one thousand, one hundred and twenty-four persons and operating only in Belize City, Belmopan and Ladyville in 2013. Today in 2024, there are over sixteen thousand employees and I’m currently are seeing, we are seeing one more expansion in Belize City that will satisfy the exigencies of the BPO sectors growth. This is in line with the government’s projection to increase employment in this sector to twenty thousand by the year 2025.”
He went on to explain how the BPO sector significantly boosts Belize’s economy, with seventeen BPO companies collectively spending over one hundred and ninety-one million dollars in operating expenses within the country. The Founder and CEO of RCCBPO shared that, in the nineteen years since the company was founded, it has grown into a workplace that people are proud to be a part of.
Nubia Ramirez
Nubia Ramirez, Founder & CEO, RCCBPO
“Today marks the beginning of a new standard of excellence in infrastructure within the BPO industry in Belize. For many years, we work on developing a great tracking record of integral quality and now we are matching the infrastructure to the level of quality of our services. This new building is more than just a building. We designed this place thinking on a place that our employees and clients can enjoy and consider a home away from home. Most people picture a BPO only as a place where people take calls. We see it different. We see RCC as a place where people learn and develop skills.”
The Philippines has the largest BPO industry in the world, something that is being replicated in Latin America. David Long, Executive Vice President of RCCBPO, tells us how the company made the transition into the Belizean market.
David Long
David Long, Executive VP, RCCBPO
“When I came to Belize, I was coming from the Philippines and which the Philippines, as most of y’all know, is very well renowned in the BPO industry. I knew it was gonna be a challenge coming from the Philippines and stepping into the Belize environment just because the population infrastructure and some things I was concerned about. But through Nubia’s unwavering belief and Belize’s this potential. She really convinced me it was in the right place. And Belize had something really special to offer. And shortly after that, she made me a believer. So you fast forward twenty years later, when Nubian RCC rolled the dice coming to beliefs who could have imagined that we’d be standing here today, celebrating not only the growth of RCC, but the birth of an entire industry in Belize.”
In this expansion, RCCBPO has joined forces with outsourcing company Fusion CX. Kishore Saraogi, Co-founder and Director details what this expansion means for the companies.
Kishore Saraogi
Kishore Saraogi, Co-founder and Director Fusion CX
“It is with immense pride and joy that I stand before you to officially welcome RCCBPO into Fusion CX family. While some time has passed since we announced our strategic investment, RCCBPO. This is my first opportunity to interact and address all our team members and interact with you all. Just to provide you a brief background, Fusion CX is a global CX provider, having location in fourteen countries, fifteen thousand plus people working worldwide, so now you are part of a much broader family, and we welcome you all to the RCC family, to Fusion CX family At Fusion CX, we believe in partnerships rooted in shared value, a commitment to excellence and mutual growth.”
Sea cucumbers play a vital role in marine ecosystems and are an important fishery. Known as the ‘vacuum cleaners’ of the sea, they help maintain ocean floor health by recycling nutrients. These sea creatures break down detritus and improve sediment quality. The result is the boosting of marine biodiversity and productivity. Local sea cucumber researcher, Doctor Arlenie Rogers, Assistant Professor at the University of Belize, explained, “They are eating sediment from the seafloor, and when they excrete that, it is sand. So they oxygenate the seafloor as well. So that is the benefit of providing for the environment.”
Dr. Rogers explained that sea cucumbers serve as homes for different marine organisms like worms, snails, clams, algae, and microorganisms. Besides their role in the ecosystem, sea cucumbers are also important to humans, especially in many Asian countries where they are used for medicine and food. “They also provide other benefits, like they use them to make shampoos and cosmetics,” Dr. Rogers added.
Sea cucumbers are in high demand in global markets, especially in Asia, for their culinary and medicinal uses. They also provide livelihoods for many coastal communities, including those in Belize. The sea cucumber industry is “big business” and “millions of dollars,” according to what Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber told the House of Representatives on July 2, 2021. Minister of the Blue Economy, Abner “Andre” Perez agreed. He said, “Sea cucumber is something very lucrative, as we all know.”
It is also known that they are vital to ocean ecosystems. They act as natural recyclers of nutrients. However, global overharvesting, driven by high demand in East Asia, threatens their survival, including in Belize’s waters. Despite the importance of this fishery, Belize’s track record of poorly managed stock assessments, similar to its handling of lobster and conch, raises concerns about the future of sea cucumbers. Without better data and stronger management, Belize risks overexploiting yet another critical marine resource.
There are over 100 species of sea cucumber fished in more than 70 countries, making them increasingly vulnerable to overexploitation. Many fisheries follow boom-and-bust cycles, with catches rising and then quickly declining due to overfishing. Since the 1990s, sea cucumber fisheries have become global, with new fisheries expanding much faster than in previous decades. Overfishing has caused population declines in 81% of these fisheries, with smaller body sizes being harvested and a shift from high- to low-value species. Many fisheries lack regulation, and illegal catches are widespread.
Population Crash
The rise and fall of the sea cucumber fishery, which experienced rapid growth followed by a swift decline, serves as a cautionary tale. Former Minister for Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, and Sustainable Development, Dr. Omar Figueroa, explained why the decision was made to place a moratorium on sea cucumber harvesting. He said, “The data that we had in front of us was really pointing to a population crash when it comes to sea cucumbers.”
The fishery was not opened in 2017-2020 as the 2017 stock assessments showed declining stocks.
Sea cucumber fishing in Belize, though practiced for over two decades, became formally regulated in 2009 with the passing of Statutory Instrument 67, which introduced a closed season and limited licensing for the industry. Since then, licenses for sea cucumber harvesting have fluctuated between 70 and 80 permits annually, with quotas determined by an annual survey conducted by the Belize Fisheries Department. Initially, fishers received $3.50 BZD per pound of sea cucumber, but prices increased to $6.00 BZD per pound as demand grew. Some sea cucumbers can weigh as little as 1.6 oz.
In 2016, new regulations were introduced, including size limits, gutted weight specifications, fishing hours, and managed access requirements.
Further amendments in 2022 aimed to protect the fishery, with additional measures such as safeguarding spawning months, increasing size limits, and designating specific landing sites determined by the Fisheries Administrator. Despite its small scale, however, the sea cucumber fishery has gained significant attention from both buyers and fishers.
The Reopening of the New Sea Cucumber Season and the Impacts on Fishers
The Belize Sea Cucumber industry reopened on September 1, 2024, and is expected to close on January 31, 2025, or when the catch quota is realized. According to the Belize Fisheries Department, the only species of sea cucumber that will be permitted to be harvested is the Donkey Dung sea cucumber. The established quota is estimated at 175,000 lbs., or about 35,000 sea cucumbers. The legal size limit (minimum) is 16 cm in length. The gutted weight price (minimum) is BZD $5.00 per pound. The Department published the list of approved exporters: Rio Grande Fisherman Cooperative Society Limited, Rosendo Cassanova, Belize Ocean Catch Limited, and Zhang Imports.
In 2022, Belize’s sea cucumber fishery remained closed while awaiting the results of a stock assessment, which was completed in March 2023 by the Belize Fisheries Department in collaboration with the University of Belize. The “Commercial Sea Cucumber Stock Assessment to Determine Sustainable Quotas in Belize” report was produced. According to the report, the assessment focused on four fishing areas: Area 3 (covering the waters around the Cayes near the Placencia Peninsula and Placencia Lagoon), Area 5 (which includes the Port Honduras Marine Reserve), Area 6 (Turneffe Atoll), Area 7 (Lighthouse Reef Atoll), and Area 8 (Glover’s Reef Atoll). These are the areas where sea cucumber populations are most concentrated.
The survey gathered information on sea cucumber species, habitats, and depths using stratified random sampling at 22 stations with 81 sections, each 100 meters long and 4 meters wide. The most frequently found species were Florida sea cucumber, donkey dung, and chocolate chip cucumber, with Florida sea cucumber and donkey dung being the most abundant, particularly in Placencia Lagoon and surrounding islands. The assessment estimated a total population of 1.99 million Florida sea cucumber and donkey dung (equivalent to 249,8000 lbs of biomass) and 103,861 lbs of chocolate chip cucumber (103,800 lbs). To ensure sustainability, the annual harvest quota was set at a limit of an estimated 175,000 lbs for Florida sea cucumber and donkey dung. This quota is designed to balance the economic benefits of the fishery with the long-term health of sea cucumber populations.
In Belize, sea cucumber fishing is an important way to reduce pressure on other commercial fish species and provide additional income for local fishers. The report found, for example, that in the 2010-2011 period, income from sea cucumber fishing was reported to be 154 times higher than the minimum wage in Belize, which was $3.50 BZD at the time.
From 2009 to 2016, the sea cucumber fishery in Belize experienced varying production levels, often not meeting or slightly exceeding set quotas, with the fishery remaining closed from 2017 to 2020.
In 2021, the sea cucumber fishery was opened to all fishers with valid licenses to help them earn income lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, production was much lower than the set quota because many fishers were not fishing full-time, as COVID-19 remained a threat. Only two out of three exporters were buying sea cucumbers, and their purchases were minimal due to the uncertainties brought on by the pandemic.
Acting Fisheries Administrator Rigoberto Quintana explained how the 2024 season exporters were chosen.
We obtained minutes of 3 meetings (May 16, August 24, and October 13) that the Fisheries Council held at the Belize Fisheries Department Conference Room in Belize City. In attendance were key government officials, including CEO Kennedy Carrillo.
The sea cucumber industry was discussed in the context of it being an alternate livelihood for fishers. The government must expand protected areas to meet the Blue Bond agreement goals. But expanding the protected areas will potentially impact the livelihoods of fishers. And, to address this challenge, the ministry continues to explore alternative opportunities, including for fishers and their families to engage in sustainable activities like sea cucumber farming. According to the minutes, Felicia Cruz, Director of the Blue Economy Unit (BEU), said that the sea cucumber industry holds potential for great partnership and economic investment. While acknowledging concerns about wild stocks, Cruz pointed to promising opportunities in cultivating sea cucumber and other species such as stone crab, king crab, and seaweed. She noted that these resources are earmarked for potential mariculture development through public-private partnerships or investments. These are premium, high-value products, especially in Asian markets.
A Boom and Bust Industry?
The report also noted that while sea cucumber fisheries globally often experience periods of rapid growth followed by declines, it is crucial to apply precautionary measures and conduct stock assessments to ensure the long-term survival of these species. When asked how to ensure that the industry remains sustainable, Quintana said, “Well, the quota system that we have put in place, I think that will ensure that we only fish sustainably within the maximum sustainable yields.” According to Quintana, buyers will be required to record that data from fishers so they can track what is coming into the plant and what is being exported.
Renowned fisheries expert and principal investigator for Sea Around Us, Dr. Daniel Pauly, warns that sea cucumbers are extremely fragile. “A fishery for sea cucumber lasts about three, four years. And then there’s no more because the sea cucumbers apparently need to be like, let’s call it a herd. They need to be close to each other and the dense, the dense aggregation.”
Between 2011 and 2021, a study documented 97 incidents of sea cucumber crime in Mexico. This resulted in the seizure of over 100 metric tonnes of sea cucumbers by Mexican and U.S. authorities, valued at nearly $29.55 million. These incidents led to 125 arrests. In one major case in 2014, 34 metric tonnes of illegally caught sea cucumbers were seized on the Campeche Bank, while nearly 42 metric tonnes were confiscated by Mexico’s Navy between 2007 and 2016. The illegal sea cucumber trade in Mexico is extensive, with estimates suggesting that over 70% of the trade is unlawful. Authorities face significant challenges in tracking the amount of sea cucumbers being transported by land, sea, and air. In a striking 2018 U.S. case, two men tied to Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s Sinaloa cartel were convicted for using fake seafood companies to launder drug profits by disguising narcotics shipments, including cocaine and fentanyl, as sea cucumbers. This operation, which generated over $19 million between 2013 and 2015, resulted in the indictment of 15 conspirators and the seizure of over $5 million worth of narcotics.
Let’s take a look at what happened to the Galápagos sea cucumber fishery. It was once highly profitable but collapsed in the early 2000s due to overfishing. A 5-year fishing ban (2016–2021) was implemented to help the population recover, but it has not been successful. Despite management efforts relying on population density as a key indicator for opening or closing the fishery, the species continues to be overexploited.
A 2020 study published in Frontiers in Marine Science applied a stock-production model to estimate critical population parameters for the first time. It revealed that the current management approach has failed for over a decade. The study recommends extending the fishing ban and using more reliable indicators like biomass and fishing mortality ratios to better manage the fishery. Without these changes, the fishery is unlikely to recover by 2030.
During a phone interview with Mario Salazar, maritime fisheries inspector in the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food in Guatemala, he revealed that “we did an analysis on the state of the sea cucumber fishery. And yes, we found out some Belizean groups came to fish here because sea cucumber can be exported (in Belize) but not in Guatemala.”
According to Dr. Pauly, most sea cucumber fisheries are inherently unsustainable. While they can generate substantial profits, this wealth often benefits only the fleet owners, particularly those from Taiwan and elsewhere in East Asia, rather than local communities. He stressed that the sea cucumber industry does not follow a “boom and bust” pattern because there is no cyclical recovery—once depleted, they do not return.
To ensure sustainable fisheries in Belize, Dr. Pauly suggested that available funds should be directed towards providing subsidies or paying monthly salaries during the fishing season. He stressed that the true goal should be high, sustainable catches rather than just pursuing sustainability alone.
A lesson from Jamaica
Dr. Alvaro Hernandez is a fisheries specialist. His focus is on sedentary resources such as sea cucumbers and lobsters—species that depend on the seabed. He was hired by the Food and Agriculture Organization to conduct a technical study of the sea cucumber industry in Jamaica. It is titled, “Capacity-building in resource assessment and management of the Jamaican Sea Cucumber fishery and potential for aquaculture development.” The study began in 2015. According to the report, Jamaica views its marine resources as crucial for national development and food security.
Sea cucumbers, though not traditionally consumed by Jamaicans, are gaining attention from locals due to rising global demand. Jamaican commercial entities are exploiting sea cucumber stocks for export, but there is limited information on stock levels, fishing pressure, and export values. In response, the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries initiated a project to enhance the Fisheries Division’s capacity for sustainable sea cucumber management. The project included two field surveys, training for local fisheries managers and fishers in survey design and diving, and the application of new data analysis techniques. A preliminary stock assessment was completed and used to develop a management plan in consultation with stakeholders. A desktop study was conducted to assess the potential for developing sea cucumber aquaculture in Jamaica. It covered key areas such as broodstock management, spawning techniques, hatchery methods, grow-out, harvesting, and restocking. The study also offered insights into selecting suitable locations and outlined the initial experiments needed to explore the feasibility of establishing sea cucumber farming in the region. These efforts aim to establish a sustainable management framework for sea cucumbers, supporting the social and economic sustainability of local communities. The Ministry has indicated that the findings and management plan will be used to guide future decisions on the sea cucumber fishery.
According to Dr. Hernandez, sea cucumbers are considered an underutilised species with potential for development, but there is currently insufficient technical expertise for their assessment, management, and monitoring in Jamaica. The high export demand is driving poorly regulated harvesting, which risks overexploitation and collapse of the fishery. He said it is crucial for the Jamaican government and stakeholders to enhance their capacity to manage this fishery effectively and ensure its sustainability.
Dr. Hernandez’s report found that sustainable sea cucumber resources can foster a viable fishery that supports social and economic sustainability. He said that the development of this fishery also aligns with a human rights-based approach. Training provided to fisheries managers and fishers in field diving surveys, stock assessment, and management planning has built the necessary capacity and technology for ongoing sustainable practices. According to Dr. Hernandez, the project also prioritised gender equity by involving both male and female stakeholders, considering their distinct roles in the fishery.
Microplastics in Sea Cucumbers
In 2021, Dr. Rogers, along with associates, published a study showing that micro- and macroplastics are present in the digestive tract of sea cucumbers in the Placencia Lagoon.
The study found that microplastics are growing pollutant in our oceans. While it’s been documented that many marine animals ingest microplastics, there hasn’t been much research on sea cucumbers, especially in the Caribbean. In this study, microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of the Florida sea cucumber, which was collected from Placencia Lagoon, which is near a busy tourist and fishing community, where solid waste is often dumped directly into the sea cucumber’s habitat.
According to Dr. Rogers, these findings raise concerns about the potential chemical effects of these plastics on human health, particularly since sea cucumber intestines are considered a delicacy in some Asian countries. Important to note is that Belize does not currently export sea cucumber intestines.
A Lot Is At Risk
The decision to reopen Belize’s sea cucumber fishery in 2024 hinges on optimistic stock assessments, but the risks tied to past overexploitation and lack of transparency remain pressing concerns. The sea cucumber fishery’s history is a stark warning of what unchecked harvesting can lead to. While the introduction of regulated quotas, species restrictions, and size limits is encouraging, it is vital that these measures are enforced effectively. Collaboration among government bodies, fisheries experts, and local communities is essential to prevent a repeat of past mistakes. Additionally, new, invisible threats like microplastics pose unprecedented risks to marine ecosystems. Vigilant oversight and adaptive management will be key to navigating these uncertainties and ensuring a sustainable future for Belize’s marine resources.
“This story was produced with support from the Earth Journalism Network.”
Taiwan’s 113th National Day is being commemorated today. In Belize, the Embassy of Taiwan and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) inaugurated the 2024 Taiwan Expo this morning at the Caribbean Motors facility in Belize City. The event started at 9 a.m., and the public was invited to explore a variety of business booths showcasing Taiwanese products.
“TAITRA is mainly to help small and medium enterprises in Taiwan to expand their international trade,” said a representative, Goldie Lee, in the morning show Open Your Eyes. She explained that TAITRA is comprised of 1300 specialists distributed locally and internationally.
Chad Dietrich from Caribbean Motors announced their recent partnership with Kymco, a well-known brand in the motorcycle industry. “We just brought in our first container of Kymco cycles just a few weeks ago,” Dietrich said.
This year’s Expo will also feature “hardware, auto parts, skin care, health products, medical products, as well as motorcycles,” Lee said. She added that in addition to business, TAITRA is seeking to share Taiwanese culture with the Belizean community.
The Taiwan Expo 2024 will continue through Saturday and is free to the public.
Police are investigating a house fire that occurred on Wednesday, October 9, in Ladyville Village. Officers responded to a report of a fire on Arizona Road around 7:30 a.m. and found a 25×25-foot elevated wooden structure with part of the veranda damaged. The tenant, 37-year-old Georgia McKenzie, said a neighbour alerted her to the fire at 7:15 a.m., but it had already been extinguished by the time she checked. Police say that the cause of the fire is still being investigated.
A series of awareness sessions is currently underway in Belmopan. Organised by the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) in collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the International Regional Organisation for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA), and the Ministry of Agriculture, these sessions aim to educate key stakeholders from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, and the Belize Livestock Association about the risks associated with the New World Screwworm.
Belize is free of the screwworm at this point, but with its presence in Honduras already, steps must be taken to prepare for the threat, particularly to the cattle industry.
The training, running through Friday, focusses on enhancing participants’ understanding of the impact and management of this highly detrimental pest, which is present in several Central and South American countries but not in Belize.
This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to ensure all key ministries and stakeholders are well-informed and equipped to manage potential risks associated with the New World Screwworm.
Authorities have officially arrested and charged a 31-year-old man from Corozal District with three counts of unlawful sexual intercourse and three counts of sexual assault.
On Wednesday, August 30, 2024, a woman brought her 13-year-old daughter to the police station. They reported that between 2021 and 2023, the girl’s stepfather had inappropriately touched her and engaged in sexual activities with her multiple times. A medical examination confirmed that the minor had been sexually abused.
Hurricane Milton made landfall on Wednesday evening as a powerful Category 3 storm near Siesta Key, Florida, a barrier island about 70 miles south of Tampa Bay. With winds of 120 mph, Milton caused severe storm surges in Sarasota County, reaching up to 10 feet. By Thursday morning, the storm had weakened to a Category 1 as it moved across the state, but it still left widespread damage, power outages, and reports of deaths.
More than 3.2 million Floridians were left without power, and the National Weather Service issued tornado warnings across several cities in addition to hurricane and storm surge warnings. Earlier in the day, multiple tornadoes were reported, including a “multi-vortex” twister.
Initially a Category 5 storm with winds exceeding 180 mph, Milton’s strength diminished as it neared Florida’s Gulf Coast. Experts warned of severe flooding and damage, similar to what happened with Hurricane Katrina. Despite the weakening, storm surges and dangerous winds were still a major concern.
Milton continued its path across Florida before moving off the east coast, transitioning into a tropical storm as it entered the Atlantic.
Police have confirmed that Hattieville Village resident George Oshon has been found safe. The 82-year-old was reported missing on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. He was last seen walking near J Mall on the George Price Highway, dressed in a long-sleeve camouflage jacket and long green trousers.
