The Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GAOP) at The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, in collaboration with the Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute (CZMAI) of Belize, organized a three-day Ocean Accounting Training Workshop. This workshop was designed to enrich the understanding and application of ocean accounting principles among stakeholders in Belize, offering a comprehensive overview of these principles, concepts, and tools. The focus was on their practical application in both the blue economy and marine spatial planning. The workshop’s objectives were multi-faceted:
1. **Enhancing Stakeholder Capacity**: The primary goal was to enhance the capacity of key stakeholders to effectively apply ocean accounting principles and methods in the management of Belize’s ocean-based resources.
2. **Supporting Existing Ocean Activities**: The workshop aimed to demonstrate how ocean accounting could bolster ongoing ocean-related activities in Belize. This includes supporting the fulfillment of requirements set by The Nature Conservancy and Blue Bond initiatives. Additionally, it showcased how ocean accounting can facilitate marine spatial planning and the realization of the blue economy development plan.
3. **Global Best Practices**: Participants were provided with an overview of global best practices in ocean accounting and their applicability to Belize’s ocean-based resources. Learning from international standards and experiences can contribute to the formulation of effective ocean accounting strategies and frameworks.
4. **Promoting Collaboration**: A crucial aspect of the workshop was fostering collaboration and coordination among key stakeholders. This collaborative approach ensures a unified effort in implementing ocean accounting principles.
Throughout the workshop, various presentations were made on the status of sustainable ocean development in Belize by Beverly Wade, Director of the Blue Bond & Finance Permanence Unit; Andria Rosado-Grinage, Senior Blue Economy Officer of the Blue Economy Unit; Chelsea Perera, Coastal Planner; and Samir Rosado, Marine Spatial Plan Process Lead, both from CZMAI, were among the presenters. Charles Colgan, Director of the Center for the Blue Economy at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, as well as Maria Alarcon, Ibukun Adewumi, and Arlette Sharamm from GAOP, conducted the workshop training with various topics of the foundation of ocean accounts, measurement in ocean accounts, spatial foundations of ocean accounts with links to marine spatial planning and case studies from various countries.
Ocean accounting serves as a valuable framework for tracking and evaluating the economic and environmental impacts of ocean-related activities. By establishing standardized metrics and data collection methods, ocean accounts enable policymakers and stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding the sustainable use and management of Belize’s ocean resources. This includes monitoring the environmental effects of industries such as fishing, tourism, and offshore energy on marine ecosystems and their economic value. The data collected can facilitate the development of policies and management strategies that strike a balance between economic growth and the preservation of marine biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Furthermore, ocean accounting provides a means to monitor progress in achieving the objectives of key programs such as the Belize Marine Spatial Planning Process, the Belize Blue Economy Plan, and the Belize Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan. By tracking key indicators related to ocean sustainability, policymakers gain evidence-based insights to allocate resources and prioritize actions that support both sustainable ocean management and economic development in Belize.
