“The Impacts of Climate Change on the Marine Sector in Belizean”
Climate change is impacting marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of fisherfolks in Belize.
Some of the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems are: Coral bleaching, an increase in tropical storms and heavier rainfall. These result in physical damage to coral reefs, seagrass beds, and coastal mangroves which are major habitats for important fisheries resources. Rising temperatures directly affect the metabolism, life cycle, and behavior of marine species.
The fishing industry in Belize provides thousands of jobs for fishers to sustain their livelihoods. Our reefs are important not only from the perspective of tourism, but also from the perspective of the livelihoods of Belizean fishers. Climate-smart fisheries require improving efficiency in the use of natural resources to produce fish, while maintaining the resilience of marine ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.
Signs that climate change is affecting our vital fisheries sector are the recent unprecedented washing up of sargassum algae along the coast of Belize, and the increased frequency of coral bleaching events.
In Belize the GEF Small Grants Programme Implemented by UNDP is working with fisherfolks and local coastal communities to enhance resiliency to the impacts of climate on marine resources and to provide alternative livelihood opportunities for fishers.
