Wildlife Conservation Society Belize conducts Rapid Response and Emergency Reef Restoration Course for Reef Brigades

Published by BBNTEAM at January 9, 2024

Tags

Posted: Tuesday, January 9, 2024. 10:17 am CST.

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: On January 8, 2023, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Belize began a Rapid Response and Emergency Reef Restoration Course for Reef Brigades.

Six women and five men are being trained to become first responders to implement the Early Warning and Rapid Response Protocol, a step wise approach to guide in terms of what needs to be done before, during and after a hurricane.

“Coral reefs play an important role in protecting coastlines from the impact of tropical storms and hurricanes, by reducing exposure to strong waves, flooding, and erosion. However, hurricanes can inflict considerable damage to the reef by reducing coral cover and their structural complexity,” WCS Belize noted.

The training will equip the reef brigade trainees with important skills so that they are able to address impacts quickly and effectively.

“It is critical to reduce the risk of subsequent damage to affected corals and for increasing the likelihood that reefs will continue to provide valuable services to local communities in the future,” WCS Belize added.

The one-week session is being held at Glover’s Reef Marine Research Station on Middle Caye, and is being supported by the Fisheries Department – Belize, Mesoamerican Reef Fund -MAR Fund- and WCS Belize.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.