For 20 years, the Belize Manatee Conservation Program has rescued and released manatees; now it will be able to rehabilitate them as well with new facility
BELMOPAN CITY, BELIZE (Dec. 17, 2024) – Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) and Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute in partnership with the Belize Ministry of Tourism & Diaspora Relations broke ground on CMA’s second manatee rehabilitation center this year – this one a new Belize Marine Rescue & Educational Center, on Dec. 11.
The Belize Marine Rescue and Educational Center is being established in response to the growing threats facing Belize’s marine ecosystems, including endangered species such as the Greater Caribbean manatees and sea turtles, and the overall health of coastal environments.
The Belize Manatee Conservation Program, spearheaded by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute-Belize (CMARI-BZ) under a MOU with the Belize Fisheries Department and other local organizations, has been active for over two decades. Its primary mission is to conserve and protect the endangered Greater Caribbean manatee population along Belize’s coasts and waterways.
The center will be both a critical and rehabilitation care center and will boast five pools operating above USDA standards, which is exemplary for the region. The pools will have the capacity to hold between 12-15 manatees, depending on their weight and size.
Despite CMARI’s successes in Belize rescuing manatees, challenges such as habitat loss, boat traffic, and environmental changes continue to threaten manatee survival, making ongoing conservation work crucial, according to Jamal A. Galves, MS, Belize Program Coordinator.
The center aims to provide a vital resource for rescuing and rehabilitating marine life, while also offering educational programs that raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation. By combining rescue efforts with community outreach, the center seeks to promote sustainable practices, safeguard Belize’s rich marine biodiversity, and ensure the protection of the country’s natural marine heritage for future generations.
“This marine rescue and educational center will be pivotal in saving the lives and providing necessary care for marine animals in need. Through a partnership with the Ministry of Education and local Universities this center will provide unique hands-on training and educational experiences for national and international students of marine conservation,” said James “Buddy” Powell, PhD., executive director of CMARI and chief zoological officer of Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
“This project not just improves our efforts to save our marine life, but it will mold the next generation of marine conservationists,” said Minister of Tourism and diaspora relations Hon. Anthony Mahler.
“This center fulfills a lifelong dream of creating a dedicated space for marine animal rescue, rehabilitation and public education,” said Joe Handy, CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, FL. “It will not only save countless marine lives but also inspire future generations to prioritize conservation and stewardship of Belize’s natural heritage.”
Over the past 20 years, the program has achieved significant milestones, including:
- Research and Monitoring: BMCP has conducted extensive aerial and waterway surveys to monitor manatee populations, track their movements, and study their behavior and habitat use.
- Rescue and Rehabilitation: In partnership with local entities the program has successfully rescued and rehabilitated injured and orphaned manatees, often caused by boat strikes or entanglement in fishing gear, and released them back into the wild.
- Public Awareness and Education: Raised public awareness about manatee conservation through community outreach, education campaigns, and partnerships with local schools and tourism operators.
- Legislation and Policy Advocacy: The program has worked with the Belizean government to strengthen policies and laws protecting manatees, including speed regulations in critical habitats and the establishment of protected areas.
- Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Has been instrumental in identifying and advocating for MPAs, helping secure the protection of vital manatee habitats such as seagrass beds and coastal zones.
These efforts have contributed to a better understanding of the manatee population in Belize and have strengthened conservation measures in the region.
Funding for the center comes from the Belize government (The Belize Tourism Board & Ministry of Tourism & Diaspora Relations ), Belize fundraising such as Cocktails for the Manatees fundraiser) and Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute which has supported staff and initial costs through grants and donor funding.
###
Belize Media Contact: Jamal A. Galves, MS | jgalves@cmaquarium.org | M: (501) 615-3838
Florida Media Contact: Marsha Strickhouser | mstrickhouser@CMAquarium.org | (727) 242-0770
- About Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working marine rescue center dedicated to inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation and release. With a mission to preserve the environment and its marine life, CMA is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, a nurse shark and more. Through Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, CMA conducts important global research focused on protecting manatees, North Atlantic right whales and sea turtles. Major motion picture Dolphin Tale (2011) and its sequel Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) features the true stories of rescued resident dolphins Winter and Hope, inspiring millions around the world. The mission and potential to change people’s lives differentiates Clearwater Marine Aquarium from any other aquarium in the world.
© 2024 Clearwater Marine Aquarium | 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767 | 727-441-1790 | mission.cmaquarium.org | cmaquarium.org
We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation.
A Florida non-profit 501(c)(3) organization