Fisheries Emergency Response Training Aims to Boost Coastal Resilience

The Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation (MBEMC), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), launched the Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Response to Emergency (FARE) Training this week. The training brought together representatives from government agencies, fisherfolk associations, and disaster response planners to enhance preparedness and emergency response capabilities in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The initiative forms part of a wider project aimed at building climate change adaptation and disaster risk management capacity in Belize’s coastal and fishing communities. The three-day training focused on disaster needs assessments, emergency planning, humanitarian standards, and post-disaster livelihood restoration using FAO guidance and best practices. A highlight of the training included a field visit to Long Caye, Lopez Fishing Camp, where participants carried out a real-time disaster impact assessment and developed targeted response strategies. Led by FAO experts, the sessions combined interactive discussions, case studies, and group exercises to equip attendees with the tools needed to respond effectively to emergencies affecting food security, livelihoods, and the marine ecosystem.