The World Wildlife Fund Mesoamerica is increasing its efforts to secure protected area status for the Placencia Lagoon. On Saturday, residents of Independence Village gathered at Malacate Beach to create a community mural depicting the many ways generations of Belizeans have interacted with the lagoon. Marine Conservation Officer Abigail Parham-Garbutt explained that the mural is intended to reflect the community's own relationship with the lagoon and serve as a visual reminder of why residents believe the ecosystem deserves stronger protection:
Abigail Parham-Garbutt, Marine Conservation Officer - WWF Mesoamerica
"On 1st August, which was Saturday, we had a community mural painting in Independence Village at Malacate Beach, which is right alongside the Placencia Lagoon. The mural painting was one that highlights the community's feel about the Placencia Lagoon, their interaction with the lagoon itself, and experiences that they had in the past from the lagoon itself. We had a little boy climbing a mango tree, a man casting his cast net to catch bait in a lagoon or to catch fish, somebody in the boat looking at birds, and a manatee in the water, of course, because those were all things that came up from public meetings that we had in Independence, where people suggested these were the uses that they had in the Placencia Lagoon."
"Out of this, at the end of the day, we want to look at getting the Placencia Lagoon a protected area. And so, through community efforts, we want to highlight and elevate the concerns coming from communities to the Government of Belize to showcase why they believe the Placencia Lagoon should be protected."
Reporter
"What are some challenges that you all have seen at the Placencia Lagoon?"
Abigail Parham-Garbutt:
"Some of the challenges, threats that we've seen are specific to mangrove clearance, specifically dredging as well in the lagoon, boat collisions with manatees. These are only some of the things. And the major things like dredging and mangrove clearance that we've seen are due to development. And while we're advocating for the Placencia Lagoon to become a protected area, it's not to say that we're saying no to development. It's just looking at what kinds of green infrastructures can we put in place to ensure that we're developing, but we're developing with nature, not against nature."
Inspector Esther Cal Honored for Academic Excellence at Guyana Police Academy
And, in other news, the Belize Police Department has given special recognition to Inspector Esther Cal, deputy commander of the Mobile Interdiction Unit, for her outstanding academic performance in graduating from the Guyana Police Force Academy. ASP Smith gave us more details on Inspector Cal's accomplishment:
ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"The Belize Police Department and the Ministry of Home Affairs congratulate Inspector Esther Cal, deputy commander of the Mobile Interdiction Unit, on graduating as valedictorian of the Junior Officers Course Number One of 2026, which was held in Guyana at the Guyana Police Force Academy. Inspector Cal also received the Best Academic Paper award, which she shared with Assistant Superintendent Chachram of the Guyana Police Force. The intensive two-month program brought together police officers and security personnel from ten Caribbean countries to strengthen leadership, professional competence, and regional cooperation. The department commends Inspector Cal for her outstanding achievement, which reflects her professionalism, dedication, and her commitment to excellence while bringing pride to Belize on the regional stage."
Police Department Celebrates Completion of Dangriga Cadet Camp
And on another positive note, the department also recognized the completion of its cadet camp in Dangriga, with over 250 cadets completing the program. ASP Smith shared more details with us on that as well:
