EXPORTBelize, a unit of the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), held an all women Seaweed Cultivation Training from November 21^st– November 23rd at Little Water Caye. This training provided both a theory session along with hands on experience to fisher women in seaweed farming and cultivation. This initiative was one of many activities under a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) signed in November 2016 between BELTRAIDE and TNC. A key objective of this MOC is to support fisheries diversification through the development of a sustainable seaweed industry in Belize.

This three day training was facilitated by the Placencia Producers Cooperative Society Limited, whose members have previously received intensive training and certification in seaweed cultivation. Nine women participants from the peninsula were trained and received certificates.  The training included seaweed cultivation techniques, farm building and designing, planting and maintenance, harvesting techniques, and the drying process.