Belize | Good News For Humankind

Endangered Caribbean reef sharks rebound in Belize

Peter Schulte / March 13, 2025

Endangered Caribbean reef sharks and other shark species are making a striking recovery in Belize after plummeting due to overfishing between 2009 and 2019, according to recent observations. Experts say the establishment of no-shark-fishing zones around Belize’s three atolls in 2021 is what enabled the population boom. These shark-safe havens were made possible by remarkable cooperation and synergy among shark fishers, marine scientists, and management authorities.

Belize certified malaria-free by WHO

Peter Schulte / June 21, 2023

Over the last 3 decades, Belize has achieved a dramatic reduction in its malaria burden – from a peak of about 10 000 cases in 1994 to zero indigenous cases in 2019.

Germany to return Mayan ancient artifacts to Guatemala and Mexico

Peter Schulte / November 3, 2021

The historic objects were discovered last year in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The owner says he bought them at a flea market in Leipzig in 2003 not knowing where they came from.

Community coral planting restores Belize’s expansive reefs

Peter Schulte / May 18, 2021

So far, 85,000 corals have been planted in the area and the coral cover of the seafloor in the park increased from 6% to 50% between 2010 to 2017.

230,000 acres of tropical rainforest in Belize protected as biodiversity hotspot

Peter Schulte / April 27, 2021

This new protected area is contiguous with and nearly doubles the size of the adjacent Rio Bravo Conservation Management Area. Combined, it represents 9% of the landmass of Belize and secures a vital wildlife corridor.

Underwater looking up at sun|milos prelevic unsplash

The Belize Barrier Reef – the world’s second largest coral reef – is removed from endangered list

Peter Schulte / July 10, 2018

The World Heritage Committee credited Belize’s safeguarding measures as the cause for the historic conservational victory.

Belize ends oil operations in its ocean waters

Peter Schulte / January 8, 2018

The legislation marks the first time that a developing country has taken such a major step to protect its oceansand all the from oil exploration and extraction.

Belize officially gains independence

Peter Schulte / September 21, 1981

Between 1975 and 1981, Belizean leaders stated their case for self-determination at a meeting of the heads of Commonwealth of Nations governments, the conference of ministers of the Nonaligned Movement, and at meetings of the United Nations (UN).

English lumber harvesters found Belize Town

Peter Schulte / April 2, 1638

Belize Town eventually became Belize City which now is the largest city in Belize and was once the capital of the former British Honduras.

The Maya civilization thrives in modern-day Belize

Peter Schulte / March 1, 1003

In the late classic period of the Maya civilization, it is estimated that between 400,000 and 1,000,000 people inhabited the area that is now Belize.