The Belize Women's Seaweed Farmers Association today announced the launch of a new project being funded by the Uk Government's Sustainable Blue Economies Programme, Blue Social Challenge Fund. The project titled "Empowering the BWSFA: strengthening sustainable, seaweed, mariculture through capacity building, marketing and innovation" Seeks to advance and develop the industry in Belize. The project is valued at a total of $25,000 BZ. The BWSFA members gave us more details on the project's implementation.
Jamila Gold, President, BWSFA
"These women's seaweed farmers association is driving sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity support through seaweed mariculture, creating an equitable industry model for Belize and the Caribbean. Our goal is to grow a seaweed industry that supports local communities year round, provides affordable nutrition and boosts the economy as well as helping the environment by providing habitats to juvenile fish species."
"To work towards this, some of the activities within our project include training our members in skills like advanced boat navigation and making seaweed based products. We are expanding our farms, setting up a mobile facility to process seaweed and launching a brand that will focus on Belizean seaweed."
"This brand will include affordable seaweed based products to the national market. In addition to these activities, we are also creating the first of its kind seaweed farm tour."
Maximiliano Caal, Project Manager Consultant, BWSFA
"The needs are many in developing a seaweed mariculture industry in Belize, but with ongoing support from numerous partners and donors such as the Blue Social Challenge Fund, Belize can indeed become a model for sustainable marine economies in the Caribbean."
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