UK Government Invests £100,000 in Belize’s Seaweed Industry

The UK Government is backing Belize’s seaweed industry with nearly £100,000 in funding. The funds will support the Belize Women’s Seaweed Farmers Association (BWSFA) by helping local farmers build a more sustainable, profitable seaweed industry while creating jobs and strengthening the country’s resilience to climate change.

The initiative is named Empowering BWSFA: Strengthening Sustainable Seaweed Mariculture through Capacity Building, Marketing, and Innovation. This project addresses critical challenges within Belize’s blue economy, including overfishing, unsustainable practices, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. BWSFA President Jalima Gold spoke on the importance of expanding seaweed mariculture and promoting both environmental stewardship and economic growth.

British High Commissioner Christine Rowlands expressed her strong support, stating, “We are happy to continue our partnership with BWSFA; through the Blue Social Challenge Fund, this project will empower local communities to develop Belize’s blue economy, grow its mariculture sector, and continue to build climate resilience.”

The project also plans to launch a marketing campaign and develop ecotourism opportunities through seaweed farm tours to generate income and raise awareness about sustainable practices.