Cisco Backs Ocean Conservation Initiative in Belize

Cisco Foundation has partnered with ocean conservation nonprofit Blue Ventures to support coastal communities in Belize rebuild fisheries and restore ocean life. Breanna Mossiah-Conorquie, Belize Country Director at Blue Ventures, emphasizes that conservation efforts are not just about the environment, but also about people.

Fishermen Ron Escobar and Paula Jacobs Williams, members of the San Esteban Fisherman Association and Southern Grassroots Fishers Association respectively, have seen the effects of a changing climate on their livelihoods. They struggle to make ends meet due to unpredictable fishing conditions and lack of data to inform management decisions.

Blue Ventures is addressing this challenge by developing a Community Fisheries Data system, which allows fishers to collect and visualize their own fisheries data. This empowers them to make informed decisions that improve ocean health and local resilience.