Alternatives for Local Fishermen
SACD is mandated to provide sustainable management of the fishery in Corozal Bay with the full participation of the local fishermen. In 2012, mechanisms were developed and implemented to build collaboration and partnership between SACD and the local fishermen, promoting better communication and more sustainable fishing practices.
These included the implementation of a very successful alternative livelihood project focused on backyard chicken production, the preferred option identified by the fishermen for reducing their dependence on the fishery in the bay.
Contributions: This project was funded by the great support of Community Management of Protected Areas Conservation Programme (COMPACT) under a one year project managed by SACD.
Project title: ” Strengthening stakeholder engagement to promote a positive environment for conservation and sustainable development activities in Sarteneja, a key stakeholder of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System – World Heritage Site.”
This project had a clear objective: to engage local fishermen and assist with reducing dependence on the marine resources of Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
As a group, the fishermen and their wives identified farming of chickens as a possible supplement, and this project sought to implement a pilot project looking at the feasibility of organic poultry production at the household level for local consumption and sale, and with potential for growth and sale to San Pedro.
Costs: Being a partner initiative between local fishers and SACD, the chicken project expenses matched approximately $35,456.00 BZD.
COMPACT=$32,856.00
In-Kind=$2,600.00
Participants/Beneficiaries
- Ms. Juanita Raymundo
- Mr. Nelson Ortega
- Mr. Eliseo Cruz,
- Mr. Romel Blanco
- Mr. Timotheo Cruz
- Mr. Huber Blanco
- Mr. Marcelino Cruz
- Mr. Elgar Gongora
- Mr. Gorge Quintanilla
