Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle - Belize "The Conservation Issue"

Ray Caye - An Island Resort

www.raycaye.com

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Vice President, Oceana Belize

Mrs. Janelle Chanona

Welcome to Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle’s conservation issue. It’s in every Belizean’s nature to proudly share our country’s wondrous beauty as well as our unique cultures with you. The diversity of our people, jobs and food are all rooted in our natural resources; it’s why we recognize the importance of doing everything possible to protect our home.

As a conservation organization dedicated to advocacy, Oceana focuses on achieving policies through strategic, directed, science-based campaigns that help to make marine resources more bio diverse and abundant. We don’t need to look too hard to see that our natural ecosystems are in trouble. Destructive fishing practices including overfishing, pollution and unsustainable development projects are wreaking havoc on the natural world. Plastic litter is probably the most “inyour-face example”. (Warning, you’re likely to see it in places you shouldn’t). Other less obvious consequences are things like the sargassum influx that’s overwhelming the entire Caribbean.

Belize is proactively leading on addressing the list of challenges in several ways. In the last two years, the Government and people of Belize have said no to offshore oil through a legislated, indefinite moratorium; mangrove regulations have been strengthened and the law to ban single-use plastic in the food sector is set to be enacted by December 2019. Simultaneously, the NGO community is also advocating for policies that increase protections for rivers and watersheds, food traceability and stopping the use of destructive fishing practices like gillnets.

And that’s where you come in; as a visitor to Belize, you can play a vital role in supporting national efforts at sustainability. As Belize’s single most important economic driver, our tourism brand is big on the integrity of the environment. You’re likely here because you want to immerse yourself in the natural world. Use your voice to call out the ways that the property or sites you are visiting can improve or establish practices to make Belize’s environment healthier and cleaner.

Walk with your water bottle. Say no to single-use plastic utensils when you’re grabbing a snack or a meal. Include a reusable bag(s) in your day pack for souvenirs. Respect closed seasons for popular products like lobster and conch (these dates are published). Don’t be afraid to ask how your favorite fish meal was caught.

As you already know, Belize isn’t just pretty. Together we can all help to safeguard the beauty and bounty of these resources and experiences you’re enjoying today so that generations to come can enjoy them tomorrow.

Janelle Chanona Vice President, Oceana, Belize

ABOUT THE COVER

Moho Caye

About the Cover

Dear Travelers,

Through these pages, we invite you to explore the Conservation Issue, which marks the 7th issue for the Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle brand! In this issue we share all the incredible changes being made towards sustainable tourism, and the steps being taken to make Belize a greener destination.

As a proud supporter of efforts towards environmental sustainability and in aid of reducing ecological footprints, our print magazines are available online as an E-Book version.

In keeping up with the digital world and with the innovative spirit of the brand, the website has also received an uplift. Restructured and redesigned as a hub for travel information on Belize and the beautiful Caribbean region, you can discover all that Belize has to offer. As a travel resource, through the website and social media channels, informative destination information and inspiration are shared daily.

I invite you to venture beyond our print edition and discover Belize with us online at

www.caribbeanlifestyle.com

On behalf of the Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle team, we thank all our advertisers and contributors for joining us in marketing Belize!

Belize is a small country with extreme beauty. We look forward to continuing to leverage digital technologies

to attract visitors and share all that Belize has to offer.

Offshore Placencia, Southern Belize Moho Caye is an idyllic 12-acre, palm-fringed private island, located 12 miles east of Placencia. This haven is located on the fringe of the Laughing Bird Caye National Park and is surrounded by crystal blue waters and incredible natural coral reefs and is on track to be #plasticfree in 2020.

Here’s how they plan to keep Moho Caye Plastic Free!

1. Soft drinks in glass bottles and cans are welcomed on the island but must be taken back when guests leave. Plastic bottles will not be permitted anywhere on the island.

2. Reusable water vessels are encouraged when visiting. If you do not have one, aluminum water bottles will be available for sale when on the island. Water filling stations will be available to refill your reusable water bottles.

3. Bring your paper, bamboo, or aluminum straw with you. Plastic straws are prohibited.

4. When bringing food, guests will be required to use reusable containers. If tour guides need to bring food to BBQ on the grills provided, meat or produce will also have to be placed in reusable containers. Styrofoam containers and trays are not allowed on the island.

5. Island keepers will be provided with reusable bags and crates to bring supplies back and forth from the mainland.

6. Be sure to take away all of your trash when you depart.

Louise Roe Lead Brand Manager Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle, Belize 8

“Be A Part of The Solution, Not A Part of The Pollution”

You can read more about Moho Caye on their website www.mohocayebelize.com

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It’s not difficult to make the switch.

WRITTEN BY TANYA MCNAB

Caribbean countries depend more on coastal and marine environments than any other region on Earth. Its coral reefs, beaches, and fisheries serve as an economic engine. The livelihood of so many of us depends on it, yet we seldom make a conscious effort to take care of it. The scale of plastic pollution in our oceans is truly staggering. An estimated 8 to 11 million tons of plastic enters the oceans every year — the equivalent of emptying a garbage truck filled with plastic into the oceans every minute!

It doesn’t have to be this way. We can make a difference. Globally, we need to work on reversing the effects of the last 30 years of plastic pollution, as well as ensuring that we do better for our oceans in the future. Every individual or business has to decide where to start. It’s actually quite easy to make a switch, and every effort counts.

For example, straws might seem like a trivial place to begin — but they are available just about everywhere a drink is sold. The US alone uses 500 million straws each day. The sad truth is that none of them can be recycled because they’re typically made from single-use plastic and are so flimsy that they can’t endure the recycling process. Most of these straws end up in the world’s oceans, rivers and lakes where they clog shorelines and endanger wildlife. They can easily end up being mistaken for food by marine life, which, when swallowed, can cause injury or even death.

There has been a discussion around Polylactic Acid Plastics (PLA), made from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugar cane, as an alternative source. Even though they are produced in a way that provides less pollution to the environment, they are not a viable option in countries, such as Belize and other Caribbean islands, where composting facilities do not exist. PLA Plastics do biodegrade, however, they do so very slowly, taking about 100 years.

Paper Straws

ALTERNATIVES

As a culture, we have become accustomed to using a straw, but the good news is, there’s no need to give it up, you just have to make a conscious effort to use an appropriate alternative.

Let’s do our part to save our reefs!

TO USING PLASTIC STRAWS

1. Bamboo Straws – Reusable for years and is biodegradable.

2. Metal Straws – Very durable, and a great personal option - and most come with a carrying case so you can always have it on the go.

3. Paper Straws - For a disposable straw, paper is your best bet and an excellent alternative for businesses which need to offer straws. An even better way, is to only offer straws in your establishment upon request!

4. Reusable Cups with built-in straws – A trendy and fashionable alternative for both hot and cold beverages and especially useful at home, travel and work.

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The Family Coppola Hideaways

PHOTO: THE FAMILY COPPOLA HIDEAWAYS

THE FAMILY COPPOLA HIDEAWAYS

A Green Getaway doesn’t Mean Sacrificing Luxury

WRITTEN BY VIVIAN LIZARRAGA

As people become more conscious about going green, many are now wanting to stay in eco-friendly resorts when they travel. Blancaneaux Lodge, located in Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, and Turtle Inn, located in Placencia, are incredible places to do just that in Belize. The resorts are dedicated to sustainable tourism practices, designed to protect endangered species. Owners Francis and Eleanor Coppola see their role as conservators to preserve and strongly support Belize’s “Best Kept Secret”. With that said, the luxurious hideaways were created and designed in a way to blend into the natural environment by using low profile, environmentally sound designs, thatch, hardwoods, pine, bamboo and locally produced tiles. The design for the rooms allows the resorts to not use air conditioning. The windows, screened doors, ceiling fans and high thatch ceilings allows air circulation to enable hot air to escape; therefore, allowing cool breeze to flow in and out.

For nearly twenty years, Blancaneaux Lodge has implemented eco-friendly systems and procedures, including a focus on renewable energy use and waste management. In 1993, a hydroelectric plant was installed at the resort supplying the property with clean and renewable power. Excess energy that is generated is used to heat the hot pool at the hideaway’s Waterfall Spa. Both Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn monitor water usage and apply comprehensive strategies to reduce water consumption, such as using a natural filtration system and controlling the flow of showerheads in the bathrooms at all properties. Guests are also supplied with bulk purchased, locally sourced, and organic handmade toiletries. This helps reduce the hideaways’ carbon footprint by eliminating the need for packaging and transport.

You can also enjoy a beautiful lakeshore setting at La Lancha, located above the shores of Lago Petén Itza in Guatemala. Buried deep within the rainforest, its the ideal destination for being one with nature.

Staying at these resorts gets more interesting as they feature an expansive organic garden offering guests a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs which in turn gives them a tastier meal at the on-site restaurants. The resorts also employed the stainless steel water bottle program, aimed to reduce plastic water bottle usage. Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn have also ditched the plastic straws and are fully onboard with using bamboo straws.

So as you can see, these amazing resorts are proof that a green getaway doesn’t mean sacrificing luxury during your stay. Guests still have the comfort and pleasure of enjoying all the amenities they would expect on any other luxurious vacation.

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