For years, the Belize Coast Guard has worked tirelessly to protect our marine resources, even with limited fuel budgets and growing enforcement demands. And as Belize expands its biodiversity protection zones under the Blue Bond, the challenge only grows.

With support from the Belize Fund, the Belize Coast Guard launched its first-ever Drone Squadron, equipped with four Perimeter 8+ Long-Range Hybrid Military UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). These drones fly up to 5 hours, reach 13,000 ft, cover 110 miles, and use infrared thermal imaging for night surveillance.

The results?
✨ Aerial patrols now strengthen enforcement while reducing the hours required for fuel-intensive boat operations.
✨ In the early part of 2025 alone, the Belize Coast Guard confiscated 17 illegal gillnets, far surpassing the 9 seized in all of 2024.
✨ Gillnets invisible from the water can now be clearly detected from above.
✨ Six officers are fully trained UAV pilots, with support from U.S. Air Force and Mexican Special Forces trainers.

Smarter monitoring is transforming how the Belize Coast Guard protects our waters, making enforcement faster, more targeted, and more effective. With new technical capabilities and strengthened national expertise, this investment marks a major step forward in safeguarding Belize’s marine resources.