Enhancing marine conservation in Belize with the participation of local stakeholders, for wider regional benefit
The Belize Marine Fund (BMF) is an initiative and financial mechanism established within the Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MAR Fund). The BMF, launched in November 2016 at the 18th RedLAC Annual Assembly in Brasilia, Brazil, was created through a US$ 10 million endowment challenge grant from the Oak Foundation, owing to the transition of the Foundation’s own Mesoamerican Reef Programme from the region. MAR Fund must raise US$ 15 million as a match to mobilize the Oak Foundation commitment. The vision of the BMF is to provide long-term financial sustainability for addressing high-priority marine resources management and conservation issues in Belize for greater impact throughout the Mesoamerican Reef Eco-region.
Investment Impact Report: 2017 – 2023
The Mesoamerican Reef remains the largest trans-boundary reef ecosystem. It is recognized for its biodiversity and the source of livelihoods for 1.5 million people living along the Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. The Mesoamerican Reef region is internationally known for being at the forefront of cutting edge and innovative reef management efforts. The region has made significant advancements in marine resources management and conservation over the years. However, there is still much more that needs to be accomplished.
Continued efforts are essential to ensure the protection of fish replenishment zones, spawning aggregation sites across the region, among other strategic conservation needs. Therefore, we must maintain our collective regional and global quest for sustained and vibrant marine resources and oceans. The effort of the BMF in working to sustain some of the most globally important marine resources is a vital step towards realizing our collective goal.
Sustainable Tourism that Benefits All – Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development
Restoring Coral Reefs – Fragments of Hope
The Reef Protectors Program – Belize Audubon Society
BMF 1st Biennial Conference – October 2019
Agenda
Proceedings of the Belize Marine Fund 1st biennial conference
Presentation – BMF 1 Wildtracks Management Effectiveness
Presentation – BMF 2 SEA Effective Resource Management
Presentation – BMF 3 MAR Monitoring Megafauna
Presentation – BMF 4 FoH Reef Restoration
Presentation – BMF 5 WWF Coastal Resilience
Presentation – BMF 6 BAS LHRA Managed Access
Presentation – BMF 7 WCS Sustainable Fisheries
Presentation – BMF 8 TNC Seaweed Production
Presentation – BMF 9 BAS Reef Protectors
Presentation – BMF 10 Engaging Youths
Presentation – BMF 11 S2S Manatees in Belize
Presentation – BMF 12 OCEANA The Belizean Voice
Presentation – BMF 13 FUNDAECO Financial Sustainability
Presentation – BMF 14 TASA Blue Carbon
Presentation – BMF 15 TNC Impact Investment
BMF 2nd Biennial Conference – May 2022
Agenda – Belize Marine Fund 2nd Biennial Conference
BMF 2nd Biennial Conference Proceedings
Theme 1 – Resilience Analysis of Belize’s MPAs System to Climate Change-Nadia Bood-WWF
Theme 1 – Expanding Belize’s Network of MPAs-Ralna Lewis-WCS
Theme 1 – Contributing to Resilient Fishereies by
Strengthening MA Committees – Nicanor Requena-EDF
Theme 2 – Rebuilding Abundance-Janelle Chanona-Oceana
Theme 2 – Building Capacity for Effective Lionfish Management in Belize’s FRZs-Fabian Kyne-Blue Ventures
Theme 2 – Building Knowledge of FSAs at Cayman Crown Through Monitoring and Protection-Cecilia Guerrero-TIDE
Theme 3 Ongoing Reef Replenishment in Southern Belize-Lisa Carne-Fragments of Hope
Theme 3 Efforts to Safeguard Belize’s Endangered Antillean Manatees -Jamal Galves-CMARI
Theme 4 – Creating the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders Reef Protectors – Dareece – BAS
Theme 4 – The Importance of Belize’s Marine Resources to Our Tourism Product –
Linette Canto – BTIA
Theme 4 – Branding for Change – Enhancing National and International Awareness of the
BBRRS WHS-Nadia Bood-WWF
Theme 5 – Developing Belize’s Blue Economy Policy and Strategy – Maxine Monsanto – MBECA
Theme 5 – Investing in a Resilient Coastal Economy – Project Finance for Permanence for Belize –
Osmany Salas – WWF
Theme 5 – Game Changing Finance Solutions – Finding a Way to Making MPAs Work –
Valdemar Andrade – TASA
Theme 5 – Blue Economy Regional Protocol–An Opportunity to Enhance Regional,
National and Local Coordination – Carlos Rodriguez-MAR2R
Theme 6 – Belize Marine Fund (BMF) Investments – Angeline Valentine – MAR Fund – BMF