SEINE BIGHT DAY! CELEBRATE GARIFUNA CULTURE ON THE PLACENCIA PENINSULA! AUGUST 15-16-17, 2014
Placencia Lobsterfest 2014, an Epic Summer Beach Party for Everyone
It’s Turtle Time! By Dr. Annelise Hagan SEA Science Director annelisehagan@hotmail.com
Although it may not be high season for tourists right now, Placencia beach is attracting a different and very welcome visitor. For the next four months, turtles will be coming ashore to lay their precious clutches of eggs. But Placencia beach is not what it used to be and turtles now have to contend with a maze of beach chairs, buildings, cement walkways and bright lights. Three species of sea turtle nest on Belize’s beaches – Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Green (Chelonia mydas) all of which are endangered, with the Hawksbill being listed as ‘critically endangered’ on the Redlist of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). So far in 2014, Cozy Corner and Miramar in Placencia and Lost Reef in Riversdale have already been the lucky recipients of turtle tracks and possible nesting sites.
The Benque Viejo Marching Band’s beach performance, which started with a Bob Marley cover and spanned many other musical genres, was the highlight of the weekend. (MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY)
University of Belize student intern Ruth Gutierrez was excited to accompany Southern Environmental Continued on page 24.
The 16 annual Placencia Lobsterfest was another great time full of delicious food and great entertainment for friends and family from Belize and abroad. The event organized by the Placencia Village Council and the Placencia Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association, and held on the properties of Tipsy Tuna and the Godfrey Family, was another success for the community raising funds for both organizations and generating income for businesses across the Peninsula. th
Weather was on the event’s side throughout the entire weekend, and volunteers were busy popping out the ice cold Belikin beers at the Placencia Village Council Belikin Bar.
Continued on page 12
Robert’s Grove Rolls Out Red Carpet for 9th Belize International Film Festival Organizers of the Belize International Film Festival made a smart move this year to celebrate its notable glitzy opening at Robert’s Grove Resort. The usual spaces used at previous openings were no match for gorgeous beach under a beautiful night sky at one of the country’s leading hotels. Glammed up with red Continued on page 22. Michael Kramer of Robert’s Grove enjoys star treatment with special guests. (ALEJANDRO A. TOVAR)
Turtle protects eggs on Placencia Beach. (SEA)