By Zoila Palma: The Department of the Environment (DOE), under the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, has hosted a closing workshop on the “Economic Assessment of Sargassum Impacts in Belize.”
The assessment was conducted by Rapid Environmental Assessment (2003) Ltd. (REAL), under the auspices of the DOE and the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD).
The study aims to establish baseline data on the economic and social effects of Sargassum influxes on Belize’s coastal communities, marine resources, and economic activities. Stakeholders in Placencia, Seine Bight, Hopkins, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker were engaged to assess the impacts on tourism, fisheries, and local livelihoods.
The assessment examined changes in hotel occupancy, bookings, and tourist spending, as well as variations in fish catches, income losses, and increased operating costs for fishers. It also considered disruptions to coastal livelihoods, the costs of adaptation measures, government preparedness, policy gaps, and public spending on Sargassum management.
Representatives from the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, the DOE, CCAD, the Taiwan Cooperation, and the Belize Sargassum Task Force participated in the workshop to review the findings and discuss strategies to strengthen Belize’s response.
The DOE emphasized that collaboration among government agencies, coastal communities, and private-sector stakeholders is essential to protecting coastal and marine resources while supporting affected livelihoods.
The post Department of the Environment assesses Economic impact of Sargassum on Coastal Communities appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The Department of the Environment (DOE), under the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, has hosted a closing workshop on the “Economic Assessment of Sargassum Impacts in Belize.” The assessment was conducted by Rapid Environmental Assessment (2003) Ltd. (REAL), under the auspices of the DOE and the Central American Commission on
The post Department of the Environment assesses Economic impact of Sargassum on Coastal Communities appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
