course material

1. Livelihoods of fishing villages in Belize.
Livelihoods of fishing villages in Belize.Belize Context• Increased population puts pressure
to the coast:The 2010 population census, conducted by Statistical Institute of Belize shows a
national population size of 322,453, an increase of 29.5 percent over the year 2000. The
population grows at an average annual rate around 2.5 percent. Population growth is
mainly due to immigration from neighbouring countries as a result of civil war and poverty.
Other population trends shown are a slow switch to rural areas, particularly to coastal
communities, increased number of households and declined average household size.
Migrants have been re-drawing the map of the country. The rural population grows by 31.3
percent as immigrants have set up border towns or influx into coastal villages.Furthermore,
over 40% of Belizean population live and work in the coastal zone and primarily depend on
natural resources – agriculture, fisheries and tourism, which lead to extend burden on
coastal resources. The issue is compounded by natural hazards, global warming, sea level
rise, and the vulnerability of sensitive ecological systems to climate change.• Marine
products remain an important foreign exchange earner:Belize is a small open economy
which depends heavily on its natural resource base. Despite of 23 percent growth in GDP
duringthe year period 2004 to 2013, Belize remains one of the less developed of the
Caribbean countries (GDP per capita: USD $4,893 in 2014, World Bank). Marine products
are big foreign exchange earners, contributing nearly 20% of domestic export in value,
andan important income source for over 2000 families. Marine resources are also the
primary attractions to Belize, luring international tourists, making the tourism the number-
one industry, employing one out of every four Belizeans.• Belize perceived as politically
stable:Belize is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary, its democracy is based on the
Westminster model. Belize is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The National
assembly is a bicameral legislature with an elected House of Representative and an
appointed Senate. According to the survey results of “ Political Values and Attitudes in Latin
America” , conducted by Americas Barometer, Belizeans show high support for democracy,
and high levelof political tolerance compared to its neighbouring Caribbean countries.•
More Belizean households living in poverty:On the other hand, Belize Household
Povertyrate goes up from 25% to 31% and extreme poverty household increase from 8% to
10% during the 2002-2009 periods according to the statistics from the Caribbean
Development Bank. This has reaffirmed that political stability and the growth of economic
does not guaranteereduction of poverty.Rising poverty has affected almost all districts. In
urban areas, the population in poverty status tend to be diversified in terms of industrial

2. sector, such as construction, retails, and cleaning drains, just to name a few. In rural areas,
including most coastal villages, over 40% of the poor population are dependent on the
agriculture and fishing sector for their livelihoods.Reasons for the increase of poverty have
linked to disparities in distribution of income, high unemployment, insecure livelihoods and
deficiencies in assets. Furthermore, the severe flooding in 2007 and 2008 accompanied by
hurricane and tropical storm during the survey periods have badly hit several areas of the
country, highlighting the population’ s vulnerability to natural hazards. The household
poverty rates have gone up more than doubled in the Corozal District (see Figure 3) mainly
due to the decline in sugar cane sector and the big lossfrom 2008 floods as well as hurricane
Dean in 2007.• Stann Creek suffer the highest unemployment and Toledo, the highest
poverty :Belize has the unemployment rate of 11.7 percent in 2013. Females experience an
unemployment rate of 20.2 percent, which more than triples than that of males, 6.1 percent.
At the district level, the Stann Creek district records the highest unemployment rate
(15.0%) while Toledo has the lowest at 8.0 percent. However, Toledo has the lowest labour
force participation rate at 56.8 percent, below the country average, 64.6 percent, indicating
Toledo has the highest population who are not economically active. Toledo has the most
population under age (52%) , nearly 20% higher than the country average, 33.3
percent.Poverty has gradually decreased in the Toledo District. Toledo is home to
indigenous Maya (who comprise about 65% of the district’ s 27,000 plus residents), Mopan,
Garifuna, Creole, Mestizo, and East Indian populations. Levels of education, health, literacy,
infrastructure and income in this district are consistently at the bottom of national
averages. Nevertheless, the increase in agriculture sector, particularly in cocoa production,
and various programmes from government and NGOs have improved employment situation
in towns.Figure 1: Unemployment Rates (%) by District, April, 2013Source: Statistical
Institute of BelizeFigure 2: Labour Force Participation Rates (%) by District, April,
2013Source: Statistical Institute of BelizeFigure 3: Labour Force Participation Rates (%) by
District, April, 2013Source: Caribbean Development Bank• Education and Violence:In
Belize, primary education for all children 5-14 is compulsory but the situation in secondary
education remains unimpressive. The enrollment ratio in secondary education has
improved very slowlyover the years from 60.5% of2001 to 65.1% of 2010. Household
poverty would keep youngers away from schools due to financial concern.Reports also
reveal young males have much lower enrollment ratio than young females in several
districts. How to encourage young males enroll and keep them stay in school is an
important issue now the government is tackling. Gangs have fuelled high levels of violence
in Belize, particularly in the southern part of Belize city, turning the country into one of the
most violent in the world. According to the Ministry of Health, “ Homicide and injury
purposely inflicted by other persons” ranks the second leading cause of Deaths in Belize
and the percentage continuesgrowing over the years (Table 2). Much of the violent crime in
Belize occurs on the south side of Belize City, home to several street gangs.The Strategy
2011-2016 of educational sector seeks to address this situation by focusing on improving
access, quality and governance of education in Belize.Table 1: Secondary Enrollment Ratio
in Belize, 2010Source: Statistical Institute of Belize• NCDs become the main causes of death
in Belize:Belize is undergoing the epidemiological transition from communicable diseases

3. (CDs) such as malaria to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as now more than 60% of the
main causes of death in Belize are associated with NCDs. Life expectancy has improved;
work needs to be done on decreasing in some preventable causes of death and illness (Table
2).HIV/AIDS has remained as a major national health challenge. According to UNAIDS 2013
estimates, there were 3300 persons living with HIV in Belize. 90% of them were adults with
aged 15 or above; women accounted for 47%. 241 new HIV cases were reported in 2013,
with most of them being males and living in the Belize and Stann Creek Districts. According
to the National AIDS Commission, sexual contact remains the most common mode of
transmission whether between males and females or males and males.Women are more
likely to get tested and receive treatment, especially if they are pregnant. That leaves a gap
for men that need to be addressed. Social stigma and discrimination often deter males to go
to testing or any doctor.In that regard, several national programs initiative by the Ministry
of Health are focusing on males, such as increased HIV testing for men, the provision of
condoms and also the creation of more treatment options for Belize.Table 2: Leading causes
of Deaths in Belize, 2012Access to safe drinking water is an indicator used internationally to
assess the capacity of the population to prevent water-borne diseases. In Belize, the water
supply has improved over the years. Government reportsnearly 94.1% of Belizean
households have accessed to safe water in 2011, 96.6% of urban dweller with access to safe
drinking water, and 91.1% in rural areas. This puts Belize well on track to achieve their
2015 target of 100%. The figure of the Todelo district remainsthe country’ s lowest,
83.1%.Basic sanitation has also looked up. The census 2010 shows that in the Toledo
district, less than 40% of households have flush toilet either linked to a sewer system or to a
septic tank. 56.8% of households in this district use a pit latrine.Sustainable pit latrines
have slowly been introduced by NGOs or church groups into the communities. These
sustainable pit latrines would keep the village creek clean (where they bathe, wash clothes,
etc.), but also keep the village grounds clean, lessening the health risk particularly for
children. 15% of households in Toledo still have no access with any type of toilet facility,
much higher than national average, 2.9%.• High vulnerability to natural risks: (need to
further explore)With most of the north of the country and the entire coastal area consists of
low-lying plains, Belize is particularly vulnerable tothe effects of extreme weather events.
Between 2000 and 2014, Belize had been affected by at least elevenmajor meteorological
events. The exposure to severe hazard events,which have the possibility of increased
frequency and intensity, are critical challenges faced by policy makers as well as general
public in Belize.Although natural disasters are becoming less deadly in Belize, they are
becoming more costly in terms of total damages.The global warming widespread across the
globe has made the matter worse.The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
has estimated that the global average sea level has risen 10 to 25 cm in the past century and
will rise 20 to 86 cm by the year 2100. In other words, sea level rise will continue into the
next century, at an accelerated rate. Rising sea level puts both human development as well
as natural habitats at risk. Low-lying coastal zone will likely face more frequent flooding as
well as salt-water intrusion.Table 3: List of historical storms 2000-2014NAME DATE
CATEGORY AT NEARESTPOINT TO BELIZE1 KEITH 2000-10-01 Hurricane, Category 32
CHANTAL 2001-08-21 Tropical Storm3 IRIS 2001-10-09 Hurricane, Category 44 DEAN

4. 2007-08-21 Hurricane, Category 55 ARTHUR 2008-05-31 Tropical Storm6 ALEX 2010-06-
26 Tropical Storm7 KARL 2010-10-15 Tropical Storm8 MATTHEW 2010-10-25 Tropical
Storm9 RICHARD 2010-10-25 Hurricane, Category 10 HARVEY 2011-08-21 Tropical
Storm11 ERNESTO 2012-08-07 Hurricane, Category 1Source; Belize National
Meteorological ServiceFigure 4: Seasonal Historical Occurrences of Tropical Storms and
Hurricane of Belize (1900-2014)Source; Belize National Meteorological Service•
Conservation of coral reef and sustainable livelihoodHealthy coral reefs can provide coastal
protection from currents, waves and storms by having their rough surfaces and complex
structures dissipating much of the force of incoming waves. Coral reef supplies a habitat for
many commercially valuable species, and opportunities for tourism and recreation.
Belize’ s coral reef is a world-wide renowned and valuable resource. Its beauty and
biodiversity attract tourists internationally. At home, it is an important feature of the
national economy, livelihoods and cultural traditions. The World Resources Institute
estimates that in 2008, the total value of coral-reef based recreation, tourism as well as
fisheries contributed US$395-559 million annually to Belize economy. As a reference point,
Belize Gross Domestic Product stands at US$1.29 billion in 2007 (World Bank).To protect
this natural treasure and barrier from hazards, conservation NGOs hasintroduced
“ Protected Area” to Belize in 1980s. A “ Protected Area” is defined by the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “ An area of land and/or sea especially
dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and
associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means” . Marine
protected area (MPA) is wildly perceived as an effective marine conservation as well as
fisheries management tool. These conservation and fisheries benefits are believed
particularly evident in “ no-take” zone.In Belize, there is a growing focus and appreciation
of the need for more marine protected areas and for better management of coastal and
marine environments. Most of coral reefs managing and monitoring effort is focusing within
the marine protected areas, which most of them are co-managed by the Fisheries
Department and several conservation NGOs and community-based organizations
(CBOs).20% of Belize’ s marine area is protected, but less than 4% of these are zoned as
‘ no take’ as most marine protected areas are zoned for general use (Gordon & Green
2011). Belize government targets of 20% of its marine territory under full protection. With
the expansion of MPAs, it will need effective governance and management to achieve its
conservation potential.• Background and ApproachMarine protected area iswidely
perceived as an effective conservation and fisheries management tool. However, MPA can
also have abroad array of positive and negative impacts on social, economic, cultural, and
political dimensions of local communities. Drawing on results from several studies of MPAs
on the coastal communities, the followings state the perceptions of fishers on MPA impacts
towards livelihood assets and outcomes of fishing communities as well as MPA governance
and management. Their perceived impacts on livelihoods result from MPAs, which have
undermined or supported for development of natural, social, human, physical and financial
assets.The paper is based on available data and historical maps and gives a basic
understanding of the impact of MPA. It also helps to make s site visit more specific and be
able to make out what are the gaps and deficiencies and what additional information needs

5. to be collected.• Management and governance of MPAsThe Legislative authority to declare
MPAs in Belize falls under two ministries: the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and
Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Tourism, depending on what category an area
will be classified under. The legislation used to declare MPAs is an extension of Forestry
laws, Fishery laws, and the integration of new multiple-use concepts for marine
reserves.Besides above actors, Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute
(CZMAI) was established by the Government, and has responsibility for implementing and
monitoring policies that govern the use and development of the coastal zone in Belize. The
major functions of CZMAI are to advise the Government on matters related to the coastal
zone, assist in the development of coastal programmes and projects, and plan policies as
well as development guidelines.For a long time, conservation efforts in Belize have been
primarily led by civil society and grass root movements. Belize government has encouraged
a co-management approach with conservation NGOs and community-based organizations,
majorly due to lack of human and financial resources. Certain NGOs have strong links to
financial source or funding; they have made strong commitment to local NGOs or
community groups. In addition to providing financial support, they offer training and long-
term mentoring. Programme for Belize has started this way since 1980s with the
Massachusetts Audubon Society and later with The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Toledo
Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) has benefited greatly through their
association with TNC. The community-based organization – Friends of Nature attracted
support from Conservation International, TNC and the Oak Foundation. Friends of Nature
later merged with the Toledo Association for Sustainable Tourism and Empowerment
(TASTE) in 2008 and renamed as Southern Environmental Association (SEA).NGOs and
CBOs have contributed by introducing the participatory approach on managing MPA by
involving stakeholder, collecting data and promoting awareness, as well as increasing
access to international funding sources. A recent assessment study on the management
effectiveness of protected areas in Belize, conducted by the Association of Protected Areas
Management Organizations (APAMO), reveals that marine protected areas being co-
managing with NGOs or CBOs are generally perceived more effective than those managed by
government alone.In 2014, the data sharing agreement has been signed between and
among government sectors, academics and NGOs/CBOs to manage MPAs more
properly.(note: Belize Audubon Society, Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute,
Fisheries Department, Friends of Nature, Green Reef, The Nature Conservancy, Toledo
Institute for the Development and Environment, University of Belize, Wildlife Conservation
Society, and World Wildlife Fund have joined together to share spawning aggregation
data.)• Challenges of fishing villages in BelizeThere are roughly 22 communities dotted
along the coast based on the population census 2010, with the highest concentration in the
Stann Creek and Toledo districts. The Stann Creek district contains more coastal
communities than the Toledo district, for its population is larger.According to the Belize
Fisheries Department, no. of licensed fishermen, increased by 88% from 1369 in 1997 to
2,582 in 2011. On the other hand, no. of licensed fishing vessels decreased by 23%, from
1977 in 2007 to 752 in 2011, indicating commercial fishers employ larger vessels in fishing
operations at present. In addition, up to 1000 Belizean workers may be employed in the

6. value chain, doing in the processing, marketing, and service industry.Spiny lobster fishery is
the most important fishery in Belize. Total catch landings of spiny lobster had declined from
1990s. Although the landings have shown rather stable since 2006, the fishing effort has
gone up due to increased no. of fishers, cost of fuel and cost of fishing gear. Fisheries
department has advised no additional fishing effort to avoid over-exploitation. Queen conch
is the second most important marine product. The landings of queen conch have shown a
growing trend mainly due to increase fish effort. The same recommended has been made by
Fisheries department.In recent years, development of deep slope fishery for Finfish is a
priority of the Fisheries Department, particularly in the southern districts of Belize, to
diversify the industry,create employment and reduce pressure ontraditional fisheries
(lobster and conch).There are also many fishermen unlicensed in Belize, particularly in
southern districts.They are subsistence fishers and use their catch primarily to supply their
family members and close friends as food intake, a small portion goes to local markets. Most
of subsistence fishers use small dugout canoes, also referred to as dories, for fishing trips.
Fisheries has been a male-dominated industry; only few women fish with subsistence
purpose. Dories are particular important to the older fishermen and by those women who
engage in fishing activities.There’ s no surprise that two main fishing seasons in Belize are
the lobster season and the conch season. The lives of the commercial fishermen particularly
in Sartenejarevolve very much around these seasons.The lobster season is closed from
February 15 to June 14. The conch season is closed from July 1 to September
30.Characteristics of fishing village between the north and the south can be diverse.
Sarteneja, a fish community located in the North, is a fishing-centred and most developed
fishing villagewhich has the most commercial fishers and involves the most in migratory
fishing all along the coast of Belize. Tourism in this village is underdeveloped compared to
Placencia due to its remoteness. On the other hand, the Southern village – Placencia today is
a famous tourist destination which mostly transits from subsistence and commercial fishing
to the tourism-centred economy. Seine Bight, a fish village in Stann Creekis more
involvement with subsistence fishing. Hopkins liessomewhere in between. As for the
Monkey River Village in Toledo, it’ s small village with population around 180 people,
mostly of Creole ethnicity. The economic activities are mainly subsistence fishing and
tourism.Although there is no research specifically on poverty focusing on coastal or fishing
communities, the issue arises in several of studies undertaken by NGOs and international
agencies. Fishers are often identified by stakeholders as the most vulnerable group in
general. The county poverty assessment of 2010 shows that 55.3% of the rural population
and 27.9% of the urban population are living below the poverty line. The fishing villages,
particularly in the southern Belize generally fit this description.Table 2: Stann Creek Coastal
Population, 2010Source: Statistical Institute of BelizeTable 3: Toledo Coastal Population,
2010Source: Statistical Institute of BelizeFishers Cooperatives and Associations• According
to the Belize Fisheries Department, No. of licensed fishermen increased by 88%, from 1369
in 1997 to 2,582 in 2011. In addition, up to 1000 Belizean workers may be employed in the
processing, marketing, service industry and other sectors. The secondary sector, fishermen
cooperatives, employs over 100 workers. The primary role of cooperatives in Belize is the
commercialization and export of the catch from members. The cooperatives also have a key

7. role in advising the government on fisheries policy. More than 50% of all licensed fishermen
are members of one of the four cooperatives in Belize. However, many fishermen,
particularly in southern Belize, are unlicensed. Furthermore, the local, community-based
fishermen’ s associations have emerged in the recent years. These associations are
generally funded and supported by NGOs. Both the cooperatives and associations are
important actors in the fisheries sector.• Cooperatives are established under the Belize
Cooperatives Act and they generally focus their attention on the purchase, production and
marketing of a product, and distribution and management of profits. Associations are
established under Belize Companies Act and have limited liability. Their main role is to
engage with government for improved management of fishing industry on behalf of fishers,
which cooperatives share that role too.• Sarteneja Fishermen Association (SFA) is a
community-based membership organization and wasformed in 2007. Its main purposes are
tolook for a way to pursue alternative livelihoods for its members either bya part-time or
full-time substitute for fishing, andto seekto reduce the dependence of both fishersand the
community on the reef.Its members has grown fast and reached to 120 in the second year of
its establishment. Some of the initial livelihood ideas that they explored include Tilapia
farming, pig rearing, deep sea fishing, crab trap fishing, and bee keeping. Those projects are
seldom linked with tourism industry that is because most of the its members have low
educational level or illiterate. In contrast, the SartenejaTourguide’ s Association was
formed by fishermen who are literate, English-speaking, and who have better change to
succeed in the tourism industry.• Studies revealthe tension and conflict between
associations and co-operatives. The co-operatives often see associations as rivals who are
competing for grant money and funding. The co-operatives also fear that associations have
become large enough to possibly form a rival co-operative. Politics, fear of membership loss,
and fear of loss of funding have combined to cause tension between associations and co-
operatives.Challenges of governance and management of MPAs• Attitudes of fishers toward
MPAs serve as one of the key elements of success of MPAs, as well as important reference
for future implementation and adaptation of MPAs. On the positive note, most fishers are
aware of MPAs and often associated the benefits of MPAs with increased tourism
opportunities, coral reef protection, ways to deter of illegal foreign fishers.• Fishers are
most concerned about selective and inadequate enforcement, particularly related to
enforcement, which can lead to feelings of unfairness and general negative attitudes toward
MPAs. Others such as illegal fishing by foreign fishermen or Belizean fishermen selling to
the foreign black market, corrupt politicians having endorsing applications for fishing
permits, corrupt enforcement officer (or “ rangers” ) accepting bribes and turning a blind
eye to illegal poaching, recreational fishing and tourist-related marine activities often
having privileges or exceptions areall the factors that frustrate fishers.Moreover,
boundaries of some of the MPAs are not properly marked also can create conflicts.Fishers
also complain that they waste their time with unproductive meetings which doesnot
respond to their needs, or only provideinsignificant small projects that makes no difference
to their living conditions.• Several studies suggest a greater community participation in
decision making, better enforcement of regulations, improved dissemination of information
(on-going and updated), and clearer demarcation of boundariesare important aspects of

8. effective management.• NGOs have served as effective mentors to strengthen community-
based organizations through training and empowering these community groups capability
of managing their respective protected areas.Here will be a potential win-win situation in
maximizing the conservation success of NGOs while at the same time strengthening
communities groups to take over co-management of the protected areas adjacent to their
communities in order to make sure a long-term development (exit strategy).Source: Walker
& Walker 2011Fishers perceptions towards MPAs• Natural Asset:Overall, most fishers
think MPA is successful. They say that MPA has positive outcomes on conservation of coral
reef, the booming of tourism industry (at least for some villages) and providing alternative
job opportunities. Fishers also believe that MPA deters of illegal foreign fishers from
Honduras and Guatemala because they would need licenses to fish in those areas. However,
fisheries have mixed reactions regarding the impact of MPA on increasing of fish catch.
Some say they need scientific evidence and prove MPAs can increase fish catch through
spillover of fish into local fisheries.They are worried the increases in the number and size of
reserves will have negative impact on livelihood strategies and outcomes. Complaints
arealso made about “ the most productive areas” being chosen as sites for MPAs. This
brings about the issue of how the MPA sites are chosen to begin with, and some fishermen
complain that they are not involved in the processes to establish sites, which lead to lack of
support in those areas.Fishers also worry that coastal development would attract more and
more wealth foreign investors or retirees, and those localswho want to gain instant wealth
would sell property to foreigner hands. They sayMPA could accelerate the sale and
privatization of the land, beach and caye, soon they won’ t afford to buy land or access to
beach. Few fishers see themselves are the cause of coastal degradation and over-
exploitation of resources. They blame it on the tourism industry for
overexploitation.Fishers put natural disasters and overexploitation as the main threats to
their livelihood in MPAs.It’ s no surprise because Belize continues to be vulnerable to
natural risks in combination with land degradation and the effects of climate change.
Government’ s efforts in preparedness for natural disasters present additional benefits, but
it is apparent that particular vulnerabilities to such disasters are greater for more
dependent and excluded populations. A solid locallybased designs need to be in
place.(Opportunities: improved sanitation, solid waste management and vulnerability
reduction).• Social Asset:Fishers feel MPA creates inter-community conflicts. They feels
unequal distribution of benefits between fishers and tour guide and dive operation. Tourists
are allowed diving or recreational fishing in some preserved areas but fishers are not
allowed to fish or forced to use certain gear. Tour guides or dive operators are often retired
fishers who have high school degree or have access to micro finance. Tensions are also
found between fisher’ s co-operatives and associations, competing for members and
funds.Conflictual relationship can also be found between fishers with governors and
managers for fishers not always feel the MPA establishing process are participatory. Some
fishers complainmeetings are held only when the decisions were made. The meetings are to
inform fishers and have agreement paper signed by fishers. The information about the
meetings are not always reached to fishers. Mistrust between fishers and enforcement
officials (or rangers) presents an issue too. Rangers are trained as Fisheries Officers and

9. thus have authority to enforce relevant sections under the Belize Fisheries Act.
Nevertheless, fishers often complain about the unfairness and corruption of rangers.The
influx of immigrants not only impact the cultural dynamics of most coastal villages but
viewed as a threat to job security and job opportunities by some villagers. Garifuna fishers
complain being denied from tourist-related employment opportunities due to
discrimination. Immigrants willingness to work for low wages have also worsened the
situation.Undermining relationships between communities reveal in studies.Some
communities feel left out compared to the community with more fishermen, more money,
better boats and more equipment.• Human Asset:All the conservation NGOs have carried
out community education and outreach projects. This has resulted in increase of
environmental activism in Belize. Most fishers are aware of the importance of
environmental protection and some become activists. There are vocational training or
alternative livelihood programs initiated by NGOs or CBOs, though its effects can be varied.
Some NGOs and organizations are encouraging the youth to get good educations and
provide scholarships for children of fishermen. The alternative livelihoods strategies
emanating from the creation of MPAs are often related to tourism and MPA management.
MPA can provide the management jobs to the locals as rangers, as managers, as contractors
or as maintenance staff. Women are empowered and benefited by the job creation.Tourism
development is often cited by fishers as the main factor to environmental degradation.
Some worry MPA will undermine the traditional livelihoods and use of traditional
knowledge. Their cultural heritage will face the threat of fading away gradually.There are
many cultures in Belize: Mestizo/Spanish/Latino(52.9%), Creole(25.9%), Maya(11.3%),
Garifuna(6.1%), Mennonite(3.6%), East Indian(3.9%) and small portion of Asian (Japanese,
Chinese, Taiwanese), Hindu as well as Lebanon. Different cultures may have different
religions, and ways of doing things, including dealing with natural disasters and other big
events.Languages should also be take into account seriously when doing advocacy and
communications. One lesson coming from the experience of one conservation NGO shows
the language barriers existing between the Spanish-only speaking fishermen particularly in
Sarteneja, Corozal and the non-Spanish speaking government/NGO employees.• Physical
Asset(in process):Most of subsistence fishers use small dugout canoes for fishing trips and
often equip with bait, hooks and lines, and fish near the shore within close distance