In 2015, when Belize began to experience the first anomaly influx of sargassum, the Government of Belize (GOB) and the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) convened a Sargassum Task Force (STF) to coordinate a plan to address the algae. However, it was not until 2018, when Belize began to experience record breaking sargassum influx that the Sargassum Task Force began in earnest its work. Since 2018, and leading up to 2020, the STF put in place various strategies and support programs to combat the influx of Sargassum in Belize. These initiatives included the development of destination clean up campaigns, establishment of best practices for cleaning and removal of sargassum, as well as introduction of innovative beach cleaning technology to support the cause. In 2019, the co-chair of the Sargassum Task Force, the Ministry of Tourism began to develop Standard Operating Procedures for sargassum management in Belize, which delineated specific strategies that should be considered. Even though some strategies have been tweaked over the years, most are still relevant to the current situation in Belize and will serve as the foundation upon which this new and updated strategy will build upon. Over the last five years, the Sargassum Task Force has worked in coordinating the management of record quantities of sargassum influx on our beaches in the four designated hotspots of Placencia, Seine Bight, Hopkins, Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker. The task force has also engaged various initiatives relating to Monitoring, Education and Awareness, Destination Clean-Up, and Alternative Uses of sargassum.

The Task Force has the primary function of serving as a national advisory entity to support the research, analysis, planning, mobilization, coordination, and monitoring of sargassum-related matters. As a result, the STF proposes strategies, plans and recommendations for consideration of the Cabinet, and subsequently supports the mobilization of these recommendations. Among these activities includes the encouragement and promotion of research and development of sargassum byproducts to help in building Belize’s blue economy frontier.

The objective of the STF is to develop a National Plan of Action and support the coordination of said plan with the goal of minimizing and/or mitigating the economic, environmental, and social impact of the sargassum influx on Belize’s coastal zone and economy.

1. Research and Data AnalysisSupport and promote research and data analysis of Sargassum related impacts in Belize and provide adequate forecasting and science-based information to the Government of Belize to devise appropriate strategies and mechanisms.
2. National Plan of ActionThe Task force is to develop and periodically update a plan that recommends solutions and mechanisms to address the impacts of Sargassum throughout Belize. The plan must at minimum address the need to Forecast, Contain, Clean, and Dispose of the Sargassum within affected coastal areas, as well as the development of economic uses of the algae.
3. Coordinate Implementation of the National Plan of ActionOnce the action plan is finalized and approved, the Task Force will be charged with coordinating its implementation. This will include conducting site inspections, mobilizing resources, validating information being disseminated and coordinating collaboration of other sectors. This will also require the development of Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines, and the mobilization of special projects and funding opportunities.
4. Monitor and EvaluateMembers of the task force will be responsible for monitoring progress and evaluating the effectiveness of the action plan. The task force will be responsible for modifying the action plan to ensure that the solutions, methods and best practices are up to date and effective.
5. Inform Cabinet on ProgressThe Task Force shall keep the Cabinet informed through the development of Joint Cabinet and Information Papers.
6. Long Term Management of the IssueThe task force shall provide guidance on the long-term management of the sargassum issue across the coast of Belize, including recommendations for funding and institutional framework to support the sustainable management of Sargassum.

The nature of the sargassum issue and its social, economic, and environmental impacts require that there be close collaboration among private, civil, and public sector organizations. Hence, the following organizations will be invited to nominate participants to serve on the Task Force:

1. Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations (Co-Chair)
2. Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation (Co-Chair)
3. Belize Tourism Board (BTB)
4. Fisheries Department (FD)
5. Department of the Environment (DOE)
6. University of Belize (UB)
7. Belize National Meteorological Service
8. Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA)
9. Belize Hotel Association (BHA)
10. NGO Representatives (Belize Network of NGOs)
11. Belize Port Authority (BPA)
12. Department of Local Government
13. Ministry of Infrastructure, Development and Housing (MIDH)

For more information you can check: https://www.belizetourismboard.org/tourism-resources/sargassum-resource/.