Fisherman in Belize

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) readiness project entitled, “Enhancing adaptation planning and increasing climate resilience in the coastal zone and fisheries sector of Belize” won the Caribbean Broadcast Union (CBU) Caribbean Media Award for Best Climate Change News Item (Television). The news item was among the 355 submissions received which according to the Caribbean Broadcast Union was a record number of entries.

The news item produced by Great Belize Production (Channel 5), featured the project deliverable, “Vulnerability & Livelihood Assessment for Fisheries Sector”. To date, the project has conducted these assessements in Belize City, San Pedro Town and Dangriga Town.

The GCF readiness project aims to set the stage for a more large-scale action to be taken to address climate change adaptation in the fisheries sector and coastal zone areas of Belize. This readiness project seeks to increase the resilience of the coastal zone areas and fisheries sector through improved climate data and information gathering, monitoring and dissemination, assessments of impacts of climate change on select communities, mainstreaming of climate change considerations into the relevant plans and policies, and strengthening of coastal and fisheries communities and organizations communication network for appropriate climate response.

The activities under this readiness project will provide important baseline information to build coastal resilience and improve adaptive capacity for fishing communities. Data gathered through the readiness project will be vital to developing the climate rationale for fisheries and coastal zone projects for the GCF and overall climate change projects. The data gathered will illustrate the high vulnerability of both sectors in Belize and the need to increase resilience to ensure the viability of the fishing industry and the livelihoods, well-being, and safety of the stakeholders in both sectors.