PUBLIC NOTICE: PROCESS TO IDENTIFY AND DESIGNATE BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION ZONE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY

11 July 2024

The Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI), in collaboration with the Belize Fisheries Department (BFD), hereby informs the public that the process to identify and designate new areas of protection referred to as Biodiversity Protection Zones (BPZ) for the delivery of Milestone 4 is currently underway.

The Government of Belize and The Nature Conservancy signed the Blue Loan Agreement and the Conservation Funding Agreement, known collectively as the Belize Blue Bonds, on November 4^th, 2021. The Belize Blue Bonds has eight time-bound conservation milestones, of which three have already been met with the obligation to meet the 4^th Milestone by November 4^th 2024.

Milestone 4 of the Conservation Funding Agreement states, “No later than three (3) years after signing the Agreement, the National Assembly shall approve, and the Government shall formally sign into law and Gazette Biodiversity Protection Zones covering a total of 25% of its Ocean.” Belize has 20.3% of its total ocean space under protection as Biodiversity Protection Zones (BPZ). To meet milestone 4, the identification and designation of an additional 4.7% of Belize’s ocean space as BPZs is required.

The designation of the additional 4.7% BPZs to deliver Milestone 4 is being guided through a science and stakeholder-driven process known as the Belize Sustainable Ocean Plan (BSOP) development process led by Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI), in collaboration with other key government agencies and partners. The proposed areas identified thus far through this process are Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Glovers Reef Atoll, and East of Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve to the Maritime Boundary. In reference to these areas, it is important to note that:

1. The classification of new proposed areas for Milestone 4 will be categorized as Medium Biodiversity Protection Zones commonly referred to as “General Use Zones”.
2. Biodiversity Protection Zone boundaries will be defined through a transparent inclusive, and equitable consultative process with all the relevant stakeholders for the areas under consideration.

Targeted consultations are currently being held with key stakeholders and in all relevant communities to consult on the identified proposed BPZ boundaries. Following these stakeholder engagements, the Belize Fisheries Department, the agency with the mandate to legally designate areas as marine reserves, will host public meetings in all relevant communities. These sessions will be crucial for gathering input and feedback from various stakeholders necessary to finalize the proposed BPZs and to ensure users can provide their input and concerns for these new proposed designations.

CZMAI and the Belize Fisheries Department encourage all interested parties to visit the BSOP website at bsop.coastzonebelize.org to learn more about the process, keep up to date with upcoming meetings and activities, and provide input on the proposed areas via our online forum. Comments can be submitted via the link on the homepage, “SeaSketch Public Forum: Areas Under Consideration for Biodiversity Protection Zones.” Your participation is essential in helping us achieve our conservation goals and safeguard Belize’s resources for the benefit of our Belizean people.

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For more information, please contact:

Samir Rosado (Mr.)

MSP Process Lead

Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI)

(501) 223-0719 or 223-5739

bsop@coastlzonebelize.org

Adriel Castaneda (Mr.)

Sr. Fisheries Officer

Belize Fisheries Department

(501) 224-4552

adriel.castaneda@fisheries.gov.bz