Posted: Friday, May 2, 2025. 2:47 pm CST.
By Zoila Palma: The Department of the Environment (DOE), Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management, in collaboration with the National Sargassum Task Force, provided needed support to coastal communities to strengthen their efforts in managing the growing issue that sargassum poses to these communities. This support has been possible through the implementation of a regional project spearheaded by the Organization for the Fishing and Aquaculture Sector of the Central American Isthmus (OSPESCA) and the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD) of the Central American Integration System (SICA), entitled “SICA AZUL – Protection of the Marine Environment through an Intersectoral Management Approach” and funded by the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Belize as a beneficiary of the regional project seeks to implement actions towards the sustainable management of sargassum and the reduction of pollution on the marine environment from plastics and other solid waste. These actions will help the country achieve national development plans, strategic environmental objectives, and overall sustainable development goals.
Five coastal communities severely impacted by sargassum — San Pedro, Placencia, Seine Bight, Hopkins, and Caye Caulker — were beneficiaries of this support. These communities received wheelbarrows, rakes, forks, PPEs, and other materials to support their beach clean-up activities. In strengthening partnership and collaboration, these communities have also committed to collecting much-needed data, using a tool developed by the Department, to support decision making. In moving towards sustainable sargassum management, the DOE hopes to promote science-based decision-making, build technical capacity, and assist communities with clean beaches from sargassum.
Lastly, the DOE wishes to express its gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports & Diaspora Relations, the Ministry of Blue Economy & Marine Conservation, and the Regional International Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA) for the support provided in the implementation of the project activities.
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The post Department of the Environment and National Sargassum Task Force provide support to coastal communities appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Friday, May 2, 2025. 2:47 pm CST. By Zoila Palma: The Department of the Environment (DOE), Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management,
The post Department of the Environment and National Sargassum Task Force provide support to coastal communities appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
