Category: Invasive Species
We’re supporting coastal communities in Belize to combat the threat of lionfish to local reefs by stimulating new markets for this invasive species.
Building capacity and strengthening networks – a participatory approach to invasive species management in Belize
The Pivot I can clearly remember waking up at the crack of dawn to the view of a breathtaking sunrise and the voices of eager volunteers who couldn’t wait to gear up. The savory aroma from the kitchen lingered like...
Belioness: empowering women and helping the reef, one lionfish at a time
Mindy Cruz had to stop going to school when she was 12, making it difficult for her to find fulfilling work, but now she is the Chairwoman of Belioness – a group of Belizean women who make jewellery from the...
Taming the lionfish: celebrating the contribution of our volunteers in Belize
At the European Coral Reef Symposium in Oxford in December 2017, we shared positive lessons learnt on the benefits that volunteers can bring to marine conservation, using our efforts to address Belize’s lionfish invasion as a case study.
Scaling up the success of lionfish management through practitioner exchange
Four delegates from Colombia recently visited Belize to learn about market-based approaches to invasive lionfish control.
Sarteneja’s kids learn about marine conservation through art
35 kids visited Blue Venture’s office in Sarteneja to create some marine-themed art and learn about conservation efforts in Belize.
4 take home messages from the International Congress for Conservation Biology
Belize Country Coordinator Jennifer Chapman distills her thoughts on why interdisciplinary skills are a must for effective conservation.
Belioness: 15 women, seven communities, four languages, one vision
The Belioness lionfish jewelry group gather from across Belize to develop a shared vision for their social enterprise; United women, empowered communities, and a healthy, beautiful reef.
Counting for conservation: the Belize National Lionfish Survey
Science Interns Julia Rubin and Anna Simmons recall 3 months spent surveying 50 different reef sites across 5 of Belize’s marine reserves.
How many lionfish? Special training to count the cryptic invader
Since its accidental introduction to the Atlantic in the 1980s, the Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans) has become one of the greatest threats to the resilience of Caribbean reef systems.
Belief in the Reef!
[avatar user=”marc” size=”thumbnail” align=”left” link=”http://blog.blueventures.org/author/marc/” target=”_blank” /] by Marc Fruitema, Community Officer, Belize As we squeezed ourselves under the narrow roof of a snack tent, sheltering from the fifth squall to disrupt the fair that day, our spirits and energy were...
The insatiable appetite: Lionfish target the world’s most threatened coral reef fish
The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a beautiful fish. In its native range – which extends from the Pacific Islands through the Coral Triangle and into the Indian Ocean to the eastern coast of Africa – to see a lionfish on...
Spreading the word about lionfish!
By Winnie Courtene-Jones, Field Scientist, Belize Since their arrival in Belize in 2008, lionfish have dramatically increased in numbers and spread throughout the country’s waters, devastating the World Heritage listed Belize Barrier Reef. What better way than to help tackle...
Innovative Tools and Inspired Leaders: My Experience as a Kinship Fellow
By Jen Chapman, Country Coordinator, Belize [quote_left]If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. – John Shores, Kinship Faculty, 2014[/quote_left] It was a busy morning, and I was mildly irritated to hear my phone ring… again!...
Lobster with a side of lionfish
by Silvia Parmeggiani, Community Officer, Belize Despite the early start, the full sun was already beating down on us as we drive down the dusty road from Sarteneja, on our way to Belize City. Belize is a country of many cultures,...
Using the beast to create some beauty: A photo diary
by Silvia Parmeggiani, Community Officer, Belize Lionfish are beautiful but because of their exotic looks they are prized specimens within the aquarium trade, and are exported all over the world. But just like their name certainly suggests, they are also aggressive predators...