Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation

CZMAI is pleased to officially announce the commencement of the Public Inspection Period for the Draft Belize Sustainable Ocean Plan (BSOP) running from May 25th to July 24th.

The Draft BSOP will serve as Belize’s legally enforceable, comprehensive national marine spatial planning framework that designates zones for biodiversity protection and permissible human uses and activities that may be lawfully carried out in Belize’s ocean space.

We encourage the public and all stakeholders to review the plan and submit written feedback via an online survey to ensure it reflects the realities of all ocean users and supports the sustainable use, development and conservation of Belize’s coastal and ocean resources.

🔗Access Draft BSOP: https://bsop.coastalzonebelize.org/draft-bsop-plan/
🔗Feedback Survey: https://bsop.coastalzonebelize.org/survey/

For any questions or more information, kindly contact us using the details below ⬇️
e: [email protected]
t: +501-614-9825
w: bsop.coastalzonebelize.org

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The Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute (CZMAI) officially announces the commencement of the Public Inspection Period for the Draft Belize Sustainable Ocean Plan (BSOP) running from May 25th to July 24th.

The Draft BSOP will serve as Belize's legally enforceable comprehensive national marine spatial planning framework that designates zones for biodiversity protection and permissible human uses and activities that may be lawfully carried out in Belize's ocean space.

We encourage the public and all stakeholders to review the plan and submit written feedback via an online survey to ensure it reflects the realities of all ocean users and supports the sustainable use, development and conservation of Belize's coastal and ocean resources.

🔗Access Draft BSOP:
https://bsop.coastalzonebelize.org/draft-bsop-plan/

🔗Feedback Survey:
https://bsop.coastalzonebelize.org/survey/

For any questions or more information, kindly contact CZMAI using the details below:

📧 : bsopEcoastalzonebelize.org
📲 : +501-614-9825
🌐 : bsop.coastalzonebelize.org

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
FISHER OF THE YEAR 2026

Celebrating and empowering fishers’ contributions to food safety and security.

Do you know a fisher who goes above and beyond for their community, demonstrates responsible fishing practices, and shows dedication to the sustainability of our marine resources?

Now is the time to recognize their hard work and contribution to Belize’s fisheries sector!

We are officially inviting nominations for the Fisher of the Year 2026. This award celebrates outstanding fishers who exemplify leadership, commitment, resilience, and stewardship of our marine environment.

DEADLINE: June 17, 2026

HOW TO ENTER
🎥 OPTION 1 — VIDEO SUBMISSION
Submit a 2-minute video explaining why your nominee deserves the 2026 Fisher of the Year title.
Include: • Your name and contact information
• Nominee’s name and contact information
• Copy of valid fisher’s license

📝 OPTION 2 — ESSAY SUBMISSION
Request a nomination form and submit a 250-word essay explaining why your nominee should be the Fisher of the Year 2026.

📄 Nomination forms can be requested from: [email protected]
[email protected]

📧 SEND NOMINATIONS TO:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Help us recognize outstanding contributions to Belize’s fishing sector through sustainable fishing practices, community involvement, knowledge sharing, and marine resource protection.

WCS Belize

On May 14, 2026, the Fisheries Department, through the Capture Fisheries Unit, successfully hosted a specialized SMART Training Workshop, marking a step forward in the modernization of Belize’s national fisheries data management systems. Through a continued strategic partnership with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the Department is transitioning from traditional paper-based logs to a modern digital data collection platform designed to improve efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of fisheries information nationwide.

The session was facilitated by Mr. Julio Maaz, from WCS, whose expertise and commitment continue to play a vital role in advancing this digital transformation initiative.

Through immediate data availability, the new system enables near real-time uploading of catch and effort statistics, significantly enhancing timely access to fisheries information. This supports the use of fisheries data for management decisions, ensuring that fisheries management actions are guided by reliable, accurate, and current data.

Additionally, the transition to a digital framework greatly improves data integrity by minimizing transcription errors and streamlining reporting processes. It also supports strengthening institutional capacity, modernizing operational systems, and enhancing the technical capabilities of Department personnel.

The Fisheries Department remains committed to advancing toward the full automation of national fisheries data collection processes. This initiative represents a significant investment in strengthening national fisheries governance, enhancing evidence-based management, and supporting the sustainable development of Belize’s Blue Economy through innovative and technology-driven solutions.

Your voice matters for Belize’s seagrass future. 🌱🌊

Upcoming socialization sessions for the development of Belize’s National Seagrass Policy will provide an opportunity for communities, fishers, tourism stakeholders, policymakers, and the wider public to contribute to shaping a stronger, more effective policy for the sustainable management and protection of our seagrass ecosystems.

These inclusive stakeholder consultations are designed to ensure that the knowledge, priorities, and needs of Belizeans are reflected throughout the policy development process.

📍More information regarding venues and details for each location will be shared soon!

MBEMC and WCS Explore Continued Collaboration to Advance Key Conservation Initiatives! 🇧🇿🌊

The Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation (MBEMC) was pleased to meet with representatives from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to discuss ongoing collaboration and future opportunities for partnership in advancing Belize’s Blue Economy.

The Ministry’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Beverly Wade, met with WCS Country Director, Ms. Nicole Auil Gomez, and Regional Director, Dr. Jeremy Radachowsky, where discussions focused on updates and progress across several key areas currently supported by WCS. These areas include Marine Protected Area (MPA) management, fisheries enforcement, gender in fisheries, and freshwater ecosystem management and protection. The meeting also explored additional avenues for collaboration aimed at strengthening sustainable resource management and community resilience throughout Belize.

During the engagement, WCS also presented the Ministry with a copy of the Gender-Transformative Chalupa Card Game, an innovative community engagement tool designed to facilitate discussions surrounding Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI). The activity was developed following a gender-transformative community engagement training facilitated by POWA in 2024 under the Climate Adaptation and Protected Areas Initiative (CAPA).

The Chalupa card game is intended to encourage meaningful dialogue among men and women of varying age groups, helping communities reflect on social norms and beliefs while promoting greater equity and inclusion within conservation and climate resilience initiatives. 👏🍃

The Ministry values its continued partnership with WCS and remains committed to fostering collaborative, people-centered approaches that support sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and inclusive participation across Belize’s blue space.

Learn more at www.iisd.org/capa