Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Marine Conservation Program in Belize

Close-up showing the hands of a person inspecting a netted ocean fish catch

Project Brief

The Challenge

The Wildlife Conservation Society—an international conservation organization—works at the forefront of marine conservation in Belize. WCS asked Blue Earth Consultants to conduct two independent evaluations over four years to assess the achievements of its marine conservation program in Belize and recommend opportunities to maximize the program’s impact on Belize’s fisheries and no-take zones.


ERG's Solution

Our first evaluation of the Belize program assessed progress, identified lessons learned, and recommended improvements for the remainder of the project. Building on this evaluation, we focused the second assessment on program activities to enhance Belize’s system of marine no-take zones and implement managed access fisheries. We reviewed project reports; visited fishery landing sites; and interviewed WCS staff, the Belize government, the Oak Foundation, and partner organizations, as well as local fishers. Our report evaluated progress to date on each of the program’s objectives, highlighted lessons learned and innovations, assessed the program’s sustainability from both financial and human capacity standpoints, and identified opportunities for maximizing the program’s future impact.


Client

The Wildlife Conservation Society