Conservation
Crocodile Encounters in San Pedro and Caye Caulker Prompt Safety Advisory
Recent crocodile encounters in San Pedro and Caye Caulker have prompted wildlife organizations and authorities to raise public awareness, urging residents, businesses, and visitors to avoid feeding or interacting with crocodiles and to report any concerning activity to trained personnel.
Conservation
Forest Department Urges Responsible Behaviour Around Crocodiles
The Belize Forest Department (BFD), in collaboration with ACES Wildlife Rescue and the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC), is reminding residents, visitors, and businesses to exercise caution and refrain from feeding, approaching, or interacting with crocodiles in their natural habitat. The advisory follows recent reports and social media posts involving human-crocodile interactions, including a recent incident in Caye Caulker Village. While no physical contact or injury was observed in that particular incident, it underscores the importance of responsible behaviour in areas where crocodiles are present.
Community and Society
Island instructors join another successful scuba diving summer program in Punta Gorda
San Pedro dive instructors participated in the fifth annual scuba diving summer program held in Punta Gorda Town, the southernmost municipality in the Toledo District, where a new group of young students earned their Open Water Diver certification. The program, which took students on open water dives between July 31st and August 2nd, aims each year to train up to 20 participants, ages 14 to 24, in scuba diving. The newly certified divers were instructed by San Pedro-based PADI professionals Everette Anderson and Enes Ramirez of Belize Diving Adventures, along with Punta Gorda native Ched Cabral and Estrom Aldana of Reef Adventures. Supporting the team were Assistant Instructor Thomas Cal and logistics coordinators Philip Vernon and Gene Lopez.
Community and Society
Residents say stronger enforcement needed to curb illegal dumping
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) is again warning the public against illegal dumping, particularly on vacant lots across the island. The council reminded residents that disposing of garbage on both private and public properties is illegal and that all waste should be taken to the Solid Waste Transfer Station south of San Pedro. While many islanders agree with the council's message, they say stronger enforcement is needed to address the problem.
Community and Society
BTIA San Pedro Hosts Environmental Discussion on Sargassum and Waste Management
On Wednesday, July 22nd, beginning at 6PM at El Fogon Restaurant, the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) San Pedro Chapter hosted an open informational discussion with San Pedro Town Council Environmental Scientist Valentine Rosado, focusing on sargassum, waste management, beach conditions, and the wider environmental pressures affecting the island. The meeting brought together tourism stakeholders, business owners, and council representatives for a frank conversation about the challenges San Pedro faces and the possible solutions being explored.
Conservation
52 Loggerhead Turtle Hatchlings Found Dead Amid Sargassum Buildup
The ongoing sargassum influx affecting San Pedro's coastline has been linked to the deaths of 52 loggerhead turtle hatchlings found on a beach on Monday, July 20th. As the current sea turtle nesting season is ongoing, the incident has raised concerns about the impact of heavy sargassum accumulations on vulnerable marine life.
Conservation
Authorities Urge Public to Respect Belize’s Wildlife – It’s the Law
After a video shared on social media appeared to show tourists chasing and petting a jaguar cub in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in western Belize, the Forest Department has launched an investigation and is working to locate those involved. The incident occurred over the weekend of July 11th. Although the two male tourists have reportedly been identified, authorities have not yet located them.
Environment
Sargassum Continues to Impact Belize’s Coastline
The ongoing influx of sargassum along Belize's Caribbean coastline continues to impact coastal communities, with large quantities of the seaweed now affecting Belize City as well as long-struggling destinations such as San Pedro Town. Municipal authorities, tourism stakeholders, and businesses are intensifying cleanup efforts as the decomposing seaweed threatens public spaces, marine ecosystems, and the country's tourism industry.
Environment
Proposed Caye Caulker Seawall and Dredging Project to Be Reviewed Following Environmental Concerns
A proposed seawall and dredging project in Caye Caulker is set to undergo review after the Caye Caulker Village Council (CCVC) raised concerns about its potential impact on the island's mangroves. On July 1st, the Honorable Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, said the matter will be reviewed in consultation with the Department of the Environment (DOE).
Conservation
Protected Permit Found Skinned Prompting Calls for Stronger Fisheries Enforcement
A skinned permit (Trachinotus falcatus), one of Belize's protected sport fish species, was discovered on June 22nd within a quarter mile of a fish trap in waters off Ambergris Caye, raising concerns about the illegal harvesting of a species considered vital to the country's catch-and-release sport fishing industry. The Belize Flats Fishery Association (BFFA) reported that a fly-fishing guide photographed the remains while on a fishing trip near one of the island's fish shops and alerted both the association and the Belize Fisheries Department.
Conservation
New Fisheries Audit Highlights Concerns from Belize’s Fishing Community
A coalition of 22 fishers' associations from across Belize collaborated to create and publish the country's first-ever Belize Fishers Audit, which was presented in Belize City on June 12th. The document highlights concerns raised by the fishing community and offers recommendations to improve the industry. President of the San Pedro Fishers Association, Jorge Aldana, led the presentation, outlining key issues affecting fishers nationwide.