Celebrating 15 Years of Empowering Belizean Voices

Oceana is proud to celebrate our 15th anniversary in Belize, a significant milestone in support of empowered Belizean stewardship of our unique national assets and cultural identity. Since 2009, Oceana has amplified national calls for safeguarding livelihoods and bolstering marine conservation through habitat protection and best practices in fisheries management. We remain resolute in our commitment to empowering communities, safeguarding marine ecosystems, and creating a future where people and special places thrive together.

Voices from the Sea

We spoke to Belizean fishers to hear their recommendations for restoring Belize’s marine life.

#THRIVETOGETHER

We all envision a thriving Belize, a country where our marine environment is healthy, abundant, and capable of sustaining all of us.

EARTH DAY 2023 – WHAT DOES YOUR VOICE SAY ABOUT  BELIZE’S FUTURE?

#AskBelizeFirst SIGNATURE DRIVE

The 2022 petition moved to strengthen the existing moratorium on offshore oil exploration or extraction by implementing a ban on offshore oil unless Belizean voters approve petroleum operations in the marine environment via an official referendum. By signing the petition, Belizeans unequivocally made their stance, urging the government to prioritize their voice and #AskBelizeFirst before contemplating any actions to lift the offshore oil moratorium.

WORLD OCEANS DAY 2022

FISHERMEN TESTIMONIALS

Following a multiyear process, on November 5, 2020, the Government of Belize banned gillnets. Oceana and the Coalition of Sustainable Fisheries disbursed BZ$2 million to licensed gillnet users to assist in their transition from using gillnets. A few of those beneficiaries talk about why they support the ban on gillnets.

ELECTION DAY MESSAGE

Oceana’s Vice President in Belize encourages Belizeans to be active citizens and exercise their democratic right to vote.

HAVE A MERRY AND PLASTIC-FREE CHRISTMAS

Say no to single-use plastics this Christmas.

WORLD OCEANS DAY 2019

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT GILLNETS?

We hit the streets of Belize City with a gillnet and test Belizeans’ knowledge of gillnets. Do they support the ban to #stopthenets?

LORETTA ANDERSON SAYS #StopTheNets

Loretta Anderson is a fisherwoman from the coastal town of Dangriga. She embodies the essence of her community’s reliance on fishing for sustenance and livelihood. Loretta tells us her reasons for advocating for the ban on gillnets.

BELIZE SAID NO

Belize made history placing an indefinite moratorium on offshore oil in the country’s marine territory, including territorial seas and Exclusive Economic Zone.

JOYJAH WANTS BELIZE TO STOP THE USE OF GILLNETS

Oceana partnered with Belizean influencer and model Joyjah Estrada for a unique experience.

CHANONA: SPEAK UP FOR OUR COLLECTIVE FUTURE

Oceana’s Vice President in Belize Janelle Chanona encourages Belizeans to add their voices of support in telling parliamentarians to enact a law binding ban on gillnets.

CHANONA: WE’RE COUNTING DOWN

Oceana joins Belizeans in counting down to when the government delivers on its promise to enshrine an indefinite moratorium on offshore oil activity in Belizean waters.

REBECCA: SAY NO TO OFFSHORE OIL IN BELIZE

Rebecca Rath, Miss Universe Belize 2017, encourages Belizeans to join in saying no to offshore oil activities in Belize.

REEF WEEK 2017 – “TURN THE TIDE, RESPECT THE REEF”

SAY NO TO OFFSHORE OIL

Every day thousands of Belizeans depend on the Belize Barrier Reef System, every day visitors travel from all over the world to explore and enjoy our home, but every day our resources are being threatened. We cannot add offshore oil as another threat to our precious natural resources.

GUADALUPE LAMPELLA: CHANGING TIDES, MAKING STRIDES!

As a veteran of the sea, Guadalupe encourages all fisherfolk to do their part in preserving our natural resources for the future.

LIONFISH: TO BEAT THEM, WE HAVE TO EAT THEM!

Oceana talks to a local tour guide and chef on how to catch, clean and cook lionfish. The fisheries administrator says to do it for the health of our reef.

NET LOSS: ARE WE DROWNING OUR FUTURE?

Fishers and scientists agree that the use of gillnets in Belizean waters is jeopardizing every other type of fishing. There must be a ban on gillnets. Sustainable management of our marine resources will ensure that we can fish forever.

DEAR BELIZEAN LEADERS…

Belizean citizens urge their governmental leaders to safeguard Belize’s future by saying no to offshore oil exploration and extraction.

WHY SHOULD WE PROTECT BELIZE’S MARINE RESOURCES?

Our Wavemakers speak out on why Belize’s marine resources should be protected.

MEET A FISHERMAN

Belizean fishermen talk about the challenges they face in securing their livelihood.