How do you protect the ocean while supporting livelihoods and economic growth?

Belize is doing it through the Belize Sustainable Ocean Plan (BSOP)—a national roadmap (formally known as a marine spatial plan) guiding how our ocean is used, protected, and managed for the future.

Led by the Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute, the BSOP brings communities, science, and policy together. This ensures that conservation, traditional livelihoods, and sustainable development move forward side by side.

More than 1,500 Belizeans have already shared their voices through meetings and surveys, shaping decisions about our ocean space.

Over 25% of Belize’s ocean is now under protection, with a target of 30%—supporting biodiversity while strengthening a resilient blue economy.

“The BSOP process has given us a voice in decisions affecting our coastal environment,” shares a community leader from Punta Negra.

As the plan moves toward completion in 2026, it is laying the foundation for smarter ocean governance, stronger institutions, and a future where people and nature thrive together.

This initiative is funded under the Belize Fund’s Government Strategic Allocation, with coordination oversight through the Blue Bond & Finance Permanence (BBFP) Unit.