For a number of years now, the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) has been hosting their Coastal Awareness Week.
As viewers are aware, the CZMAI is the statutory body that is responsible to oversee the continued balance between economic development and sustainable management of the country's coastal zones. Yesterday, their 7th Annual Coastal Awareness Week began, and it will continue up until Saturday, October 30th. Today they held a Virtual Panel Discussion named, "Towards a Blue Economy for Belize".
In this 87-minute online discussion, the Institute invited panel representatives from their sister organizations in the Blue Economy Ministry. Each panelist chose to provide an update to the general public on what their agency is doing to improve the management of all the natural resources that come under what is referred to as the country's "blue spaces"
7News tuned into that virtual public information event, and here's an excerpt of the presentations made by 2 of the panelists:
Emilie Gomez - Panelist, Ministry of Blue Economy
"The mission for Blue Economy in Belize is to have a productive, resilient and vibrant Blue Economy by the year 2030, contributing substantially to what is the socio-economic well-being of the country and all Belizeans, and our mission is to increase the GDP through this developing pathway of our blue economy. One that is harmonized, innovative, and socially just, supported by what is a robust, science-based management regime of all of our aquatic resources and blue space."
"We have been working diligently to complete our national Blue Economy Strategy and Plans/the Maritime Economy and Plan for Belize, in partnership with the UK Government. And the overall objective is to grow the national economy, such that the country becomes economically resilient and less reliant on financial aid. So, it is intended to reflect the aims of the Commonwealth Charter and has highlighted key sectors for development, such as coastal development, Shipping and Ports, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Mariculture, Tourism, Energy, and Ecosystem Services."
Stacie Swift - Panelist, Belize Port Authority
"So, what the Belize Port Authority would like to see accomplished in the development of a National Ports Policy, and as out relates to the connection with the Blue Economy. So, some of the disadvantages that we see right now at this moment, is that there is the lack of a National Ports Policy. In terms of the Port Development Infrastructure, Port Digitization - as I mentioned previously - in terms of outdated BPA Regulations and Laws. So, all of this has to be in formalities, in terms of the best practices, regional, international, and also the domestication of those international conventions. And we have to look at the risk analysis in terms of the port development. Some of the advantages would be to develop standards in order for Belize to trade efficiently, affordably, and have more vessels arriving in Belize. That will also provide more job opportunities. We look at public consultations, to also balance port development and the environment, Private-Public Partnerships. We also want to see the fostering of community involvement."
The theme for this year's Coast Awareness Week of activities is "Blue Economy for a Sustainable Coast".
