In collaboration with the Belize Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and its research institute, broke ground on the Belize Marine Rescue and Educational Center. The facility will serve as a manatee rehabilitation center focusing on marine conservation efforts.
The center is a response to increasing threats to Belize’s marine ecosystems including the endangered Greater Caribbean manatee and sea turtles, as well as the overall health of coastal environments. It will feature five pools capable of holding up to 15 manatees, depending on their size, and will operate above USDA standards, according to a statement.
The initiative builds on over two decades of work, by the Belize Manatee Conservation Program, led by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute-Belize, under an agreement with the Belize Fisheries Department and local organizations.
“The threats to manatees remain critical, and this center will be an essential resource for their survival,” said Jamal A. Galves, Belize program coordinator.
The facility will also include educational programs to raise awareness about marine conservation and promote sustainable practices. By partnering with local universities and the Ministry of Education, the center aims to provide hands-on training for students in marine conservation.
