Bio-diversity

Planning grant to develop a proposal that proposes to train fifteen (15) fishermen from the five communities to becoming Dive Masters. Surveys have shown consistent erosion in take home income of fishermen as the fishery resource continues to deplete. As traditional fishery is decreasing, there is a vital need to seek out other economic alternatives that will help to alleviate the stress placed on income earners as their income lessens. Given their knowledge of boat handling and good dive sites, it is felt that local fishermen will more easily accept activities that can make use of these already earned qualification. In consultation with the local communities it was decided that a project that would develop dive masters in all the different communities would be of more urgent benefit both for the above mentioned reasons and because the high cost of attaining this certification effectively puts it out of reach of most locals. It should also be noted that this project will allow individuals and communities to take advantage of the growing tourism industry, tourism development being one of the principal if not the principal developmental initiatives of the Belizean Government. At present only Placencia village has divers who have reached this capacity. With this developed capacity in this area, diving could be promoted and marketed to the tourist population as a prime destination. This should result in tourists spending longer periods and leaving more money in these communities.

Belize