The Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation hosted its Blue Economy Climate Resilience Forum in Belize City today. The event brought together environmental experts, policymakers, and key stakeholders to address the growing threats of climate change on Belize’s coastal and marine ecosystems.
“In essence, it’s just to put our hands together, because climate change is real; it’s happening,” said Minister of Blue Economy Andre Perez. “I’m hoping that by the end of the day, this panel discussion will come out with one comprehensive plan.”
One of the clearest examples of climate impacts being felt in Belize these days is the overwhelming invasion of sargassum along the caye shorelines. It’s an issue that Perez described as a “relentless” issue this year compared to previous years.
“Sometimes it extends across the shorelines, sometimes as much as 40-50 feet and it’s horrible,” Perez said. “San Pedro doesn’t have a beach; it’s full of sargassum.”
The buildup has led to an increase in the use of sargassum harvesters to help manage the situation. Perez defended the approach after he was questioned about concerns of its effectiveness.
He stated that the excess of sargassum and the public complaints of its foul smell have proven a need to even hire more sargassum harvesters and increase clean-up partnerships with resorts in the islands.
Meanwhile, other residents have voiced concerns that the sargassum being harvested is used as landfill, affecting specific parts of the island. Perez defended this approach as well, stating, “The area where the San Pedro Town Council is covering is part of a street that should have been like a boulevard, and they’re filling it up, and I’m more than sure that they will be filling it up with sand.”
He added, “It has to be gotten rid of, and that area that they’re using, I agree with it.”