EJN Awards 9 Journalists Story Grants to Report on Fisheries in Belize
As part of EJN’s Supporting Fisheries Journalism in Belize project, with support from the Summit Foundation, we awarded nine journalists story grants to cover a wide range of fisheries issues in the country.
The grants were awarded following two workshops held this April in Belize City for journalists from Belize, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, which introduced participating journalists to fisheries science, industry terminology, management strategies and data journalism tools, including how to use Belize’s Freedom of Information (FOI) process.
Using the new knowledge and story ideas generated at the workshop, the following journalists proposed story ideas to EJN and were selected for story grants:
- Aaron Humes, Breaking Belize News
- Marion Ali, Channel 5
- Dion Vansen, The San Pedro Sun
- Jose Sanchez, freelance journalist
- Deseree Arzu, freelance journalist
- Alindy Marisol Amaya, XTV/KREM
- André Habet, freelance journalist
- Hipolito Novelo, Channel 5
- Marco Lopez, freelance journalist
Representing many of the country’s primary media outlets, the selected journalists will dig into multiple stories, utilizing FOI requests and exploring discrepancies in fisheries data and the contentious issue of data transparency.
In particular, several will explore specific stocks and their status. This cohort will report on Belize’s Nassau grouper, a local delicacy now under threat despite protective measures; the looming crisis facing the lobster industry; the importance of tuna fishing for both fishers and consumers; ecological, social and economic issues within the sea cucumber industry; and the Belizean staple queen conch, which is experiencing an underreported decline.
Journalists will dive into the impacts of certain management strategies, such as the recent gillnet ban, and the implications of insufficient conservation measures associated with shark-related tourism. They will also explore the impacts of these issues on fishing communities, and the innovative solutions communities are implementing to protect their marine resources.
“Fisheries in the Mesoamerican Reef region are crucial for ecosystem, animal and community health; there is a need for deeper reporting on these issues,” said Belize project manager Hannah Bernstein. “These journalists’ stories will fill a crucial gap in the public understanding of how fish populations are being managed or neglected and how those who rely on fishing for their livelihoods are faring amidst declining fish stocks.”
Stay tuned for the release of their stories later this year on EJN’s website.
Banner image: Belizean fishers heading out in search of the day's catch in Middle Long Caye / Credit: Lucy Calderon Pineda.
