WCS Belize

Congratulations to the recipients of the Fisher of the Year Awards 2026, a national recognition celebrating the outstanding achievements of Belize's fishers and their commitment to sustainable fisheries. This year's Fisher of the Year award was presented to Carlos Ramirez of Punta Gorda Town, while Paula Jacobs of Punta Negra Village and Lorenzo Cassanova of Chunox Village received Outstanding Fisher Awards in recognition of their dedication to responsible fishing practices and stewardship of Belize's marine resources. The awards, organized by the Wildlife Conservation Society in partnership with the Fisheries Department - Belize, The Nature Conservancy - TNC in BelizeThe Nature Conservancy, the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, the Healthy Reefs Initiative, and the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organizations, recognize fishers who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and a strong commitment to sustainable fisheries management. The initiative also highlights the essential role that Belize's fishing communities play in supporting livelihoods, food security, marine conservation, and the long-term health of the country's fisheries. By celebrating these achievements, we honor the men and women whose dedication helps ensure that Belize's marine resources continue to support coastal communities for generations to come. Congratulations to all of this year's awardees! #FisherOfTheYear #Belize #SustainableFisheries #MarineStewardship #FishingCommunities

Fishers are at the heart of Belize's coastal communities, and this year's Fisher Fair in Dangriga Town celebrated their invaluable contributions to the country's fisheries, food security, culture, and economy. The event brought together fishers, families, students, and community members for a day of learning and celebration, featuring information booths on fisheries management and marine conservation, interactive games, and opportunities to engage with organizations working to support Belize's marine resources. Events like the Fisher Fair help strengthen the connection between communities and the importance of protecting our oceans while recognizing the people whose livelihoods depend on healthy fisheries. Thank you to everyone who participated in making this celebration a success. #FisherFair #Belize #MarineConservation #SustainableFisheries #FishingCommunities 

Protecting wildlife from New World #screwworm means looking beyond livestock. As governments respond to the re-emergence of New World screwworm in North America, a new WCS-led study finds that long-term success will require expanding surveillance beyond legal cattle production systems to include #wildlife, protected areas, and illegal cattle movement corridors. The study highlights an important blind spot: while livestock are routinely monitored, wildlife infections can go undetected in remote landscapes, limiting our understanding of how the parasite spreads and what impacts it may have on biodiversity. Strengthening wildlife surveillance can improve early detection while supporting both #conservation and animal health. "The risk is not that wildlife are driving the outbreak," said Dr. Christian Walzer, Executive Director of WCS's Health Program and a co-author of the paper. "The risk is that we lack sufficient information on where infestations are occurring, how long they persist, and what impacts they may be having in wildlife populations. Stopping illegal cattle movement remains essential, but a serious #OneHealth response must also include wildlife-health surveillance, protected-area monitoring, and information sharing across sectors and borders." Learn more about why protecting wildlife should be part of the global response to New World screwworm and read the study: https://bit.ly/4w1oaND

As Belize welcomes the opening of the lobster season, fishing communities across the country continue a cherished tradition that marks the beginning of the season with faith, hope, and unity. Ahead of the season's opening, Father Scott Giuliani and his assistant, Joe, led the annual Blessing of the Boats at the Northern Fishermen Cooperative and National Fishermen Cooperative, while also blessing vessels moored along the Belize City waterfront. The annual ceremony offers prayers for the safety of fishers, calm seas, and a successful lobster season. It is a meaningful reminder of the deep connection between Belize's fishing communities, their livelihoods, and the marine resources that sustain them. As the season begins, WCS joins partners in wishing all fishers safe journeys, productive harvests, and a commitment to sustainable fishing practices that will help protect Belize's fisheries for generations to come. #LobsterSeason #Belize #FishingCommunities #SustainableFisheries #MarineConservation 

🌊 Women who lead. Women who innovate. Women who are transforming the blue economy. The 9th Women in Fisheries Forum (WIFF) brings together women fishers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, government representatives, and conservation organizations to celebrate and strengthen the vital role of women in Belize’s fisheries and marine sectors. Under the theme “Celebrating Women in Belize’s Blue Economy: Leadership, Innovation, and Opportunity,” the forum fosters knowledge exchange, meaningful connections, and new opportunities that support sustainable livelihoods and resilient coastal communities. As highlighted by Paula Jacobs, Chairwoman of the Belize National Women in Fisheries Association, during her opening remarks:  “Women continue to play an important role in the community, from fishing, seafood processing, to small businesses, tourism, conservation, and leadership. Today is the opportunity to recognize the hard work that women do in our country and to appreciate each other.” Her words reflect the spirit of WIFF: recognizing the contributions of women across Belize’s blue economy while creating space for collaboration, innovation, and leadership. Together, women continue to drive change, strengthen communities, and create new opportunities for a more sustainable and inclusive future. #WIFF2026 #WomenInFisheries #BlueEconomy #WomenLeadingChange #Belize #WomenInLeadership #SustainableFisheries 

WCS is proud to support the Fisheries Department in bringing digital innovation to fisheries management in Belize. By helping officers collect and upload catch and effort data more efficiently, this system can improve reporting, reduce errors, and strengthen sustainable management of Belize’s fisheries👇 https://lnkd.in/e8kAjkcG

This Earth Day, under the global theme “𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫, 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐭,” we recognize the role of collective action in driving environmental solutions. Our work spans marine research, fire management, environmental monitoring, training, education, and community outreach—all grounded in the belief that protecting wildlife and natural ecosystems requires shared responsibility and leadership.

𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠! | 𝐖𝐂𝐒 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 – 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐫 (𝐌𝐅𝐂) WCS Belize is seeking an Assistant Site Manager to support the day-to-day management of WCS-managed lands within the Maya Forest Corridor, including oversight of field operations, ranger coordination, and support for patrol, monitoring, and compliance activities. Location: Maya Forest Corridor / Belize City Type: Full-time Key Qualifications & Requirements • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Wildlife Management, or a related field • Minimum 3 years of relevant field experience; supervisory experience preferred • Strong understanding of forest and wildlife protection regulations in Belize • Experience with SMART or similar spatial monitoring tools an asset • Fit and able to work in remote field conditions • Valid driver’s license (manual transmission required) • Clean police record • Strong working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, email) • Spanish language proficiency is an advantage • How to Apply Download the full job description here: https://bit.ly/WCS-MFC-TDR Please complete the application Form here: https://lnkd.in/eHNxUKei And email your documents to: wcsbelize@wcs.org Include: • Cover letter • CV/Resume (must list three (3) references) Application deadline: January 9, 2026 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

The International Institute for Sustainable Development and WCS Belize collaborating on this exciting Photo Storytelling initiative, with support from Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada.