分类： society

During a joint cultural initiative in Belize, Miss Universe representatives from Belize and Côte d’Ivoire have addressed a racially charged incident involving a local tour guide. Isabella Zabaneh, Miss Universe Belize, and Olivia Yacé, fourth runner-up from Côte d’Ivoire, are collaborating on social projects when a derogatory Facebook comment from tour guide Alex Mes surfaced.

Zabaneh expressed profound disappointment rather than anger, emphasizing the particular irony that the remark came from someone in the hospitality industry. ‘Belize is a melting pot, and in my final answer on the Miss Universe Belize stage, I literally said we need to let that pot melt,’ Zabaneh stated. She noted that while the comment targeted Yacé specifically, it represented a broader racial prejudice affecting both women differently.

The incident gained attention after being flagged on social media, prompting Mes to issue an apology via direct message. He claimed the remark was intended humorously and not meant to cause harm, expressing concern about potential impact on his livelihood.

Yacé responded with notable grace, acknowledging that public figures frequently face criticism but using the moment to advocate for resilience. ‘Despite what life throws at you, you have to keep going. You always have to see the positive side of things,’ she advised young women watching. She emphasized that the incident wouldn’t overshadow her positive experiences in Belize, praising the warmth and hospitality she’s received from most citizens.

Both beauty ambassadors are continuing their collaborative work, turning an unfortunate event into an opportunity for dialogue about racial tolerance and cultural understanding in the diverse Caribbean nation.

BELIZE CITY – In a landmark event that blended professional recognition with celebratory spirit, the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) crowned Maclovio Ack as its first-ever “Mr. BNTU” champion during the union’s national convention on Saturday, March 30, 2026. The 28-year-old educator from Punta Gorda emerged victorious from a field of nine male teachers representing regions across Belize.

The pioneering competition formed a central component of the BNTU’s four-day national convention and teachers’ celebration, evaluating contestants across multiple criteria including professional excellence, creative expression, talent demonstration, and community engagement. The event was designed to highlight the multifaceted contributions of male educators within Belize’s educational landscape.

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Area Representative for Toledo East, commended Ack’s comprehensive victory, noting the educator “topped every single segment to be crowned champion” in what he described as “a very historical Mr. BNTU competition showcasing talent, composure, knowledge, and creativity.”

The Punta Gorda Town Council issued an official congratulatory statement celebrating their local educator’s achievement: “We proudly celebrate your outstanding achievement. Your hard work, dedication, and talent truly set you apart.”

While Ack claimed the inaugural title, the BNTU Orange Walk branch emphasized the participatory spirit of the event, praising their contestant Daniel Flores for “embodying what it means to be a great teacher role model in Belize” despite not securing the championship.

The successful establishment of this competition introduces a potential new tradition within the teachers’ union, combining professional recognition with inspirational entertainment during their annual gatherings.

The Bahamas Fisheries Department has announced the imminent closure of the Queen Conch fishery effective April 6, 2026, marking the conclusion of the 2025–2026 harvesting season. This regulatory action comes as the annual production quota has been entirely exhausted, triggering automatic protective measures under national fisheries legislation.

Authorities have issued a formal directive requiring all commercial fishers, recreational harvesters, and seafood establishments to immediately cease conch extraction activities. The moratorium will remain in effect for nearly six months, with fisheries scheduled to reopen on October 1, 2026, coinciding with the beginning of the next authorized harvesting period.

The Department has implemented stringent possession regulations mandating that all existing conch inventories—whether held by private individuals, restaurants, or distributors—must be responsibly consumed or disposed of prior to the April 6 deadline. Post-closure possession of Queen Conch meat will constitute a criminal offense prosecutable under Bahamian fisheries law, with violations carrying potential legal penalties.

This seasonal management strategy represents a critical conservation effort to ensure population sustainability for this culturally significant marine species. Fisheries officials emphasize that the cyclical closure allows conch populations to replenish naturally through their reproductive cycles. The Department has established a dedicated reporting channel (telephone: 224-4552) for citizens to confidentially report suspected illegal harvesting or possession activities during the closed season.

Belizean authorities have uncovered a significant environmental violation within the protected waters of Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve, discovering multiple banned gillnets containing endangered marine life. The joint operation conducted on March 26, 2026, by the Belize Fisheries Department and Coast Guard revealed five illegal fishing nets strategically placed near the reserve’s lighthouse.

Three of the confiscated nets were found submerged and intricately entangled within coral formations, containing concerning evidence of recent aquatic casualties and entrapments. Department officials confirmed the discovery of multiple conch shells, live lobsters, three deceased sharks, and two surviving sharks within the prohibited devices.

Following the initial discovery, local fishermen voluntarily surrendered two additional gillnets they had encountered drifting in the vicinity. All confiscated nets were transported to Middle Caye for proper disposal procedures.

This environmental infraction marks the second such incident within a week, following similar findings at Corona Reef during the nation’s recent Reef Week celebrations. Gillnet usage has been prohibited throughout Belize since 2020 under national legislation designed to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems and maintain sustainable fishing practices.

The Fisheries Department has intensified its appeal for public vigilance, encouraging citizens to report any observations of illegal fishing activities as authorities work to combat this persistent threat to marine conservation efforts.