Oceana

About Oceana


Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one third of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 200 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that one billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. To learn more, please visit www.belize.oceana.org.


Oil Campaign
The biggest reef in Americas says “No!” to offshore oil Belize moratorium on offshore oil activity passes with unanimous support In December 2017, Belizean leaders unanimously supported and passed the Petroleum Operations (Maritime Zone Moratorium) Bill placing an indefinite moratorium on offshore oil in Belize’s marine territory, including territorial seas and Exclusive Economic Zone. This action is historic given Belize’s economic dependence on its natural resources and will safeguard invaluable marine environments including the second longest barrier reef in the world, which runs along Belize’s coast. Just as importantly, this law recognizes and respects the collective leadership and persistent involvement of tens of thousands of Belizeans for more than seven years on the issue of offshore oil.


Oceana has been an unwavering supporter of this call of the Belizean people since it began in the aftermath of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010 and within the reality that Belize’s entire offshore area had already been sold as oil concession licenses. Following the announcement, Oceana’s Vice President for Belize Janelle Chanona said, “This is truly ‘The People’s Law’. Belizeans have remained steadfast in their opposition to offshore oil since they became aware that marine assets were at risk of irreversible damage from the offshore oil industry.”
Belize’s outstanding and invaluable marine assets and biological diversity has made tourism and fishing key economic pillars in the country’s financial landscape. Belize is one of less than 50 places on the planet designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. This law will be a critical step in getting Belize off the Sites In Dangers List as oil was identified as a direct threat to the site’s integrity.

Gillnet Campaign
Blog posts on Oceana website:

Fish Right, Eat Right: A Sustainable Seafood Initiative for Belize
Local Market-Based Certification Program for Responsible Seafood Sourcing
The Fish Right, Eat Right Concept Fishermen, NGOs, and fishery managers recognize the importance that responsible consumption can have on compliance with fisheries regulations. Managed Access, Replenishment Zones, Fish for Life and Restaurant Resort Roadshow are programs that have been contemplating the implementation of a market-based program backed by an education campaign that will provide incentives for fishermen, retailers, restaurants, and consumers to promote and support the harvest, trade and consumption of sustainably- and legally-caught seafood. Fish Right, Eat Right establishes a local brand that will highlight establishments sourcing seafood responsibly. This will help make it easier for consumers to make sustainable choices that ensure the health of our oceans. The brand is being developed via a collaborative process involving all partners including the private sector.


The goal of this certification program is to curb illegal fishing and promote best practices in fisheries by providing marketing incentives throughout the supply chain via the promotion of responsible seafood consumption. Those establishments that demonstrate knowledge of and compliance with the Fisheries Regulations will receive special recognition, and responsible fishermen who comply with the Regulations will have preferential access to these reliable markets. Fish Right, Eat Right is initially targeting restaurants and hotels, and possibly expanding to include cooperatives, fish markets, supermarkets and other seafood purveyors in the future. An advertising campaign for tourists and the general public to support these compliant, recognized establishments will be planned and launched. For restaurants, this program will help match consumer demand for sustainable, healthy products with a supply chain that will deliver. The program will also help restaurants identify alternative seafood options for consumption that can help reduce fishing pressure on species that are overexploited, threatened, or endangered.


What is Responsibly Sourced Seafood?
The Fish Right, Eat Right symbol on a menu is Belize’s assurance that your seafood has been responsibly
sourced – that is, caught legally, following best management practices, and fully traceable.
Initial Requirements for Receiving Recognition through the Fish Right, Eat Right Certification

  • Education: knowledge of Belize fisheries regulations and sustainable fisheries management
  • Compliance & Transparency: compliance with the Fisheries Regulations and participation with the data collection program of the Fisheries Department
  • Promotion & Awareness: promotion on menu of sustainable seafood options and display of educational material that highlights the Fisheries Regulations and other sustainable fisheries management initiatives
  • Purchase of responsibly-sourced seafood

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the goal of the program?


To have seafood purveyors become part of the solution to managing and protecting Belize’s natural resources – by agreeing to purchase only seafood that is legally-caught, follows best management practices and is fully traceable, they reduce the market for juvenile fish and other
unsustainable practices.


Who is running the program?

  • Implementing agencies: Belize Tourism Board (BTB), Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), Belize Fisheries Department (BFD)
  • Supporting Organizations: Oceana, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

Who can join?

  • Any restaurant/hotel in Belize whose seafood is primarily sourced locally (from Belize). At the outset this program will be limited to restaurants/hotels, but may be expanded to supermarkets, fish markets and other seafood purveyors in the future.
  • Support of local fishermen that are committed to sustainable use of Belize’s natural resources. How does this fit in with other sustainable seafood programs?
  • Fish Right, Eat Right compliments international sustainable seafood certifications and rating programs by ensuring that chefs are committed to buying legally caught local seafood. In this way we can work with other globally recognized certifications and ratings that certify seafood products themselves (e.g., MSC, Fair Trade, Seafood Watch).

Let Love Roam Freely Through Belize…

As cool as the sprinkling of a dense jungle waterfall or the extra bliss that the sunrays radiate on a picturesque island, let your love wander freely through Belize. As cool as the sprinkling of a dense jungle waterfall or the extra bliss that the sunrays radiate on a picturesque island, let your love wander freely through Belize. Here is the reason: NO need to travel far distant routes to enjoy the country’s top sites or activities, each district is accessible by small crafts. NO repetition here, every destination offers something new to discover: culture, food, views and ancient miracles. NO is no common word, YES, YOU CAN enjoy a romantic time in a top destination without the crowds! Extend your vows on the Mayan area, and be enchanted by their magic. Discover the authenticity of nature and explore the worlds of Thousand Foot Falls, the great Belize Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System or the vast underworld “Xibalba” cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal “ATM”) or more. Here is the perfect setting to congratulate the passion of love, in an underworld, ancient Mayan temple or Blue Hole View awayJ. Step into the ultimate playground.

Create your own romantic memories in Belize, a destination that suits you … Let us help you plan your dream vacation. Please call 1-800-624-0686 or send an email to: info@travelbelize.org Here is the reason: NO need to travel distant routes to the country’s top locations or activities each district is accessible through small crafts. NO repetition here, every destination offers something new to discover: culture, food, views and ancient miracles. NO is no common word, YES, YOU CAN enjoy a romantic time in a top destination without the crowds! Extend your vows on the Mayan area, and be enchanted by their magic. Discover the authenticity of nature and explore the worlds of Thousand Foot Falls, the great Belize Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System or the vast underworld “Xibalba” cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal “ATM”) or more. Here is the perfect setting to congratulate the passion of love, in an underworld, ancient Mayan temple or Blue Hole View awayJ. Step into the ultimate playground. Create your own romantic memories in Belize, a destination that suits you … 

How Belize Inherited Steelpan Music

In the heart of Belize’s melodious fusion is the metallic resonance of the Steelpan. This Caribbean instrument was founded in 1964 by the musically savvy Dr. The Honorable Lennox A. Pike 1964 in more than two decades before the independence of the country from its British colony 1981 into the Belize’s culture introduced. Later he was in the “2012 Pan Yaad steel band concert” for his contribution of Steelpan music to Belize, by the President of the National Institute of Culture and History, Mrs. Diane Haylock. In the country’s national September festivals, steelpan music continues to be an anticipated feature, especially at the annual Pan Yaad Steel Band Concert at 7:00, September 9, 2016 at the Marion Jones Sports Complex in Belize City.

This great entertainment of musical perfection offers an electric genre of different local and regional sounds in a warm patriotic ambience. That’s what Steelpan Music is EVERYTHING! From its origins in Trinidad & Tobago, the steelpan was used during the enthusiastic showcases of the celebration; later added to the carnival road marches. It was the fate that introduced the young Mr. Lennox Pike to Steelpan music during his studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Jamaica. His passion as a musician brought him to master his now 19th musical instrument. Mr. Pike’s interest in getting to know all aspects of the Steelpan was a factor for him, who later became a member of the university’s steel band.

Here, other musicians assisted in his search and supplied him with the craftsmanship of the instrument. Later he became the leader of the band and even presented his good friend Colville Young (today’s Governor-General of Belize, His Excellency Sir Colville Norbert Young). After several years and a failed attempt to import the instruments, Dr. Pike here the craft of the pebbles in Belize and was soon at the head of avid musicians and a very receptive local community! As a diverse population that continues to evolve, the love of the Belizians to the Steelpan melodies remains concrete, while the vibrating performances are all bound to hearing! Download the full list of activities taking place throughout September. 

Christmas Traditions in Belize

Belize is a diverse destination with a wealth of cultural influence and the Christmas holiday is a perfect time to explore! Having a little over 365,000 in population (within 8,867 square miles of pristine environment) you’ll discover the destination’s true vibrancy, its people.

Christmas Times…

There’s a celebration for almost every season in Belize and Christmas time is no exception!

The Creole culture

Now done mostly only in Gales Point Manatee, Belize District, the Creole “Bram and Brokdong” and “Sambai” are two such examples of Belize Creole Christmas traditions.

“Bramming” is the Creole cultural form of dancing done in collaboration with the “Brokdong” music which entails the towns’ participation and is dependent on a lively music created with numerous musical instruments. These musical range from a fork and grater, a shaker (maraca), gombay (two-sided) drum, harmonica (“mouth organ”) and an accordion to list a few. It starts from one end of the town/village with residents offering the dancing crowd food, drinks in large amounts, throughout this feasts the dancing continues and the celebration mood is enjoyed by ALL. 

This usually ends with the crowd extremely full with the numerous food and drinks consumed! Offerings the traditional Belize Christmas items: black & white cake, sodas, local wines, locally made rum, rice and beans, ham and more!

“Sambai” the fertility dance has African roots.  Done during Christmas, the Creole culture also involves the participation of a man and a woman in a courtship.  The music is created particularly with the traditional African fertility musical instrument Goombay (gumbeh). This is a celebration dance also which involves older members of the community but no children.  The Fertility aspect of this coincides with both the full moon and the harvesting of crops.

The Garifuna culture

This lively culture is rich in celebrations and during the Christmas season the “Cha-Ri-Ka-Na-Ri” (Two-Foot-Cow) dance is a prime example of this!

The CHARIKANARI “Two Foot Cow” is a fun dance involving a man dressed in a cow shaped face with a larger-than-life rare end added on to emphasize the dancing movements. It is a mocking dance of the past slave owners’ attire and mannerisms as they dance throughout the streets. The movements follow a story format where the cow first enters the scene declaring his presence followed by dancing. He periodically intimidates the audience by aggressively approaching them then retreating back into dance.  This group affair features the traditional drumming of the Garifuna and can be seen throughout the country. If you see a group of dancers call upon them to perform for you; you can then offer water or other nourishments as they continue their journey.

Cultures that harmonize…

This little part of the world packs a BIG cultural contribution which includes the ancient Maya descendants, the Garifuna settlers, the Creole “Kriol” and the unique Mestizo, Mennonite, East Indian and Chinese communities.  It is a peaceful blend which not only contributes to each’s traditions, but celebrates and absorbs it too!