Implementing Partners

World Bank: Enhancing the Health of Belize’s Coasts Through Ecosystem-Based Conservation and Adaptation

The Marine Conservation Climate Adaptation project (MCCAP), is a five-year US$ 6 million coastal zone management project funded by the Adaptation Fund and implemented by the World Bank that has been carried out in Belize since July 2015. The primary objective of the project is to implement priority ecosystem-based marine conservation and climate change adaptation measures to strengthen the climate resilience of the Belize Barrier Reef System.

The health of Belize’s coasts is critical to the local economy, including livelihoods in the fishing and tourism sectors. But it has been impacted by an increase in climate-induced storm surges. The project aims to enhance ecosystem function and climate resilience through recovery, restoration and reducing environmental degradation.

With a focus on improving the protection regime of marine and coastal ecosystems, project activities include the realignment of zones and increasing replenishment zones of three marine protected areas (MPAs): namely Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve and South Water Caye Marine Reserve. MCCAP currently collaborates with the three MPA managers and supports enforcement patrols in these areas. Six coral nursery tables have been planted in two of the MPAs to foster coral reef repopulation.

Supporting Local Communities to Increase Climate Resilience

One of the strengths of the project is working with 12 fishing communities, which are affected users of the three MPAs, on the expansion of their replenishment zones. Users will not only be affected by this expansion but also must adapt to the effects of climate change in relation to their fisheries resources. The fishers that are users of these MPAs are being engaged. They have been invited to apply for grants to engage in sub-project activities related to Tourism, Fisheries and Agriculture. Fishers of these communities have expressed their interest in diversifying into seaweed farming and deep slope fishing. Other fishers are interested in going into agriculture diversification. MCCAP will provide technical assistance for them to farm climate change resilient crops that will not require too much water for growth.

The MCCAP project is also involving four northern communities by providing them with skill set training in Food Preparation, Cosmetology, Computer Service Repairs and Electrical Installation in accredited vocational institutions recognized by the government of Belize. Furthermore, 53% of the trainees are women. Similar trainings will also be conducted in the southern communities of Belize where Garifuna, identified as indigenous peoples, are located.

Chunox St. Viator High school and Agriculture Natural Resources and Institute, which have student enrollment from surrounding fishing villages, are being engaged in climate change adaptation. They were exposed to marine and forest ecology and are given support by developing community projects based on climate change adaptation. MCCAP recognizes that for these communities to build resilience to climate change effects, youths must be engaged on climate change awareness, households involved in skills training activities and fishers in alternative livelihoods sub-projects.

Fishermen at a field trip in Central Farm with agriculture experts giving them ideas on agricultural base projects. Photo: Sandra Grant.

Coral nursery table at Calabash Caye, Turneffe Atoll. Photo: Lisa Carne

Food preparation trainees presenting their buffet style full meal course to MCCAP. Photo: Corozal ITVET