AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums About Belize Nature UK Hydrographic Office Presents Seabed Mapping

On 29 April 2022, the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) officially handed over seabed mapping data to the Belize Government which will support safe maritime trade and the development of a sustainable blue economy.

Almost all activity in our oceans, from shipping to monitoring delicate marine environments, depend on accurate seabed mapping data that illustrates the shape and movement of natural underwater features. For Small Island Developing States such as Belize, the collection of hydrographic data is vital to supporting sustainable economic growth, protection of the environment and mitigating the impact of climate change.

As part of the UK government's Commonwealth Marine Economies (CME) Programme, the UKHO managed the collection of Satellite Derived Bathymetry data across Belize's southern waters and offshore reef's in early 2022, covering an area of around 7,200km2. The data has now been handed over to the government through a workshop which was designed to key stakeholders on the data collected and its use across government.

The data will also be used to assess and where necessary update nautical charts of Belize's waters by UKHO, thereby supporting safe and efficient navigation for ships navigating in Belize's coastal waters.

Commenting on work undertaken by UKHO for Belize Claire Evans, High Commissioner to Belize said, "Helping vulnerable SIDS access scientific data remains a strong tenet of the UK's CME Programme. I am really pleased the Programme has been so successful and hope the data delivered to the Government of Belize will be used to develop Belize's blue economy, whilst protecting the marine environment."

The area surveyed was developed through discussion with local government representatives. The data handover was attended by officials from Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, Belize Port Authority, Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute, Fisheries Department - Belize, Belize Coast Guard.

Through the CME Programme UKHO has also completed a series of projects undertaking seabed mapping of Belize's ports by boat and the northern waters by aircraft providing valuable information on the waters of Belize. Officials have also taken part in training in the United Kingdom in Hydrographic Governance to help in building knowledge of how seabed mapping is a foundation dataset that underpins all activities and research along with management of the marine environment.

Is this data available? Is a high resolution version of the first map available?