Attainment of Intended Results
Objective #1: Institutional Strengthening of Fishermen Associations
Leadership and Governance Workshops: From March 21 to 23, 2016, a three day workshop was implemented by Mr. Reinaldo Guerrero, Belize Institute of Management (BIM) at the Chunox Fishermen Association Office, Chunox Village. The workshop saw the participation of 6 executive members each from the Chunox Fishermen Association (CFA) and the Copper Bank Fishermen Association (CBFA). Participants engaged in activities that promote leadership qualities including: framing of ideas, networking skills that build social capital, and the identification of resources that would require mobilization. Participants were exposed to various team building activities that enhanced and strengthened their natural leadership qualities. This included role playing tasks to find solutions to everyday challenges. Topics discussed during the team building sessions included: brainstorming ideas for a grant proposal, ideas to get infrastructure in place for the CBFA as well as engaging its membership in a supplementary livelihood project, and ideas for tourism development in the Chunox and Copper Bank. Participants were introduced to various governance principles and issues which they could implement and apply as members of an association. Participants identified issues such as hostile takeovers, membership responses once an organization owns physical property, and issues of ethical concerns/responses.
On May 1 and 2, 2017, eleven (11) members from the Chunox Fishermen Association (CFA) including family members from fisher folks participated in the two-day work shop. The purpose of the workshop being for CFA to review the goals and strategies of the association, revise CFA's vision/mission statements and strategic plan, highlight organizational challenges and concerns and develop a short term action plan based on the association's current needs.
Strategic Communications Plan Workshop for CBFA. Seven (7) participants from the Copper Bank Fishermen Association participated in the two-day communications strategy workshop for the Copper Bank Fishermen Association that was held on May 28-29, 2016. The workshop focused on the usefulness and benefits of different channels of communication. Participants identified their key resources and key obstacles that would either assist them in the execution of their communication strategy work plan or would prevent them in the execution of their communications strategy work plan. Key resources highlighted by the participants included: community support, 31-members association, good attendance to meetings, good external communication, good collaborating partners, acquisition of physical resources. Obstacles identified included: lack of financial resources, lack of coordination to implement meetings, discouragement of members, and lack of capacity building of the membership of the association. Based on the discussions of day one of the training, CBFA created a time frame that outlined actions/activities, key resources envisaged and those who will take responsibility to execute their communications plan in order to achieve the expected goals of the association during a 3 - 5 year period. A time-line was created by the participants with assistance of the BAS staff.
Objective #2: Income Diversification
Preliminary Assessment for the Entrepreneurial Development Capacity Building. Eleven (11) members from the Copper Bank Fishermen Association and nine (9) from the Chunox Fishermen Association including fishermen and wives and/or relatives from fishing families attended a preliminary workshop on May 24, 2016. The objectives were for: (a) participants to better understand the concept of entrepreneurship and determining the factors of an entrepreneur through a self analysis; (b) acquire information about tools that generate innovative ideas for a business; and (c) acquire some of the skills and knowledge to develop their own business model. Topics covered during the workshop include the characteristics and definition of an entrepreneur; filling out the entrepreneurial pyramid where participants highlighted their personal qualities, characteristics, adaptive skills, and specific knowledge of an entrepreneur; the importance of roles in creating networks for a small business; and introduction to the SCAMPER tool where participants had to prioritize on small feasible businesses that can work in their communities. With the guidance of SBDC Belize a department of BELTRAIDE training advisor, Ms Vicky Heredia, participants drafted a business model plan for a business idea. The draft business model plan were based on the following nine components of the business model: key partners, key activities, value proposition, customer relationships, customer segments, key resources, channels, cost structure and revenue streams. On another visit on June 4, 2016, the BELTRAIDE training advisor revised each participant's business model in preparation for a three-day workshop in entrepreneurial development where the (business models) will be finally approved.
Entrepreneurial Development Workshop. A total of twelve (12) out of the twenty (20) participants participated in the entrepreneurial development workshop held at the Copper Bank Inn from June 6th-8th, 2016. The objectives of the training sessions were to: (1) develop competent participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively assess themselves and utilize the tools to develop innovative business ideas, marketing strategies and a business model that will allow their venture to be unique, structured and focused; leading to profitability and (2) equip participants with book keeping skills and capabilities that will enable them to implement a basic book keeping system in their small business for everyday use. Each participant outlined a summary of their business model including their small business name, date of establishment, need of problem, type of business, business location and form of business. Participants learned about the principles of marketing their business through the four P's of the Marketing Mix - Products, Pricing, Promotion and Place they are going to sell their products. Participants were introduced to the concepts of sales skills and customer service. Approaches and techniques included: the instant buddy, the guru, the hard seller, handling objections and closing the sale. Participants were introduced to basic record keeping skills that enabled them to promote transparency and accountability of their small businesses. Through different situational experiences, participants were able to calculate expenditures and profits by filling out a simple cash log. The workshop ended with each participant presenting their business models and business investment plan for their proposed small businesses. The 12 participants received certificates of completion. Ten (10) of the 12 business models and investment plans met eligibility for a small grant/loan funding under the GEF/OAK project.
Small Grants/Loan Scheme. Six (6) community stakeholders from the Copper Bank Fishermen Association and four (4) community stakeholders from Chunox were the beneficiaries of the small grants loan program. The ten (10) beneficiaries received cheques of BZ $2000 each - $1000 grant and $1000 loan from either the Copper Community Enterprise or the St. Francis Xavier Credit Union. Beneficiaries used the grant/loan funds to initiate and/or expand on existing small business ideas. The beneficiaries were: Leonardo Awayo (snack shop), Romeo Gorosica (rental of tables and chairs), Reynaldo Gorosica (restaurant), Edney Cobb (stationary shop), Alberto Teck (sheep rearing), Fonciano Copo (meat shop), Telma Montalvo (chicken), Simon Cassanova (red recado seeds), Lorenzo Cassanova (plantain chips), and Estellita Santoya (tacos stall).
Monitoring of Grant Recipients. BAS and SBDC Belize implemented two visits to monitor the progress of each of the ten small businesses promoted under the small grants/loan scheme on February 4-5, 2017 and on July 13-14, 2017. The progress of the businesses showed mixed results at the time. Up to July 201, six (6) businesses were fully functioning and two (2) were getting started. Two (2) businesses had not made an attempt to start. The repayment of the loans also showed mixed results. At the time of the end of project evaluation workshop (i.e. October, 2017) six (6) businesses continued to operate at with different levels of success: Lorenzo Cassanova, Edney Cobb, Telma Montalvo, Romeo Gorosica, Simon Cassanova, and Estelita Santoya. The six (6) loans made from St. Francis Xavier Credit Union have been paid in full whilst two loans have been partially repaid to the Copper Bank Credit Enterprise and two (2) remain in default with no payment made.
Objective #3: Biodiversity Monitoring
Procurement of Vessel. In September, 2016, BAS sent out three bids with three boat companies to get quotations for the procurement of thirty four (34) feet vessel. After careful consideration and advice from the donor, Mr. Alfonso Young, owner of Young's Boat Yard, was the successful bidder. A contract and a TOR were signed for the commencement of the construction of the vessel. Three site inspections to monitor the construction of the vessel were conducted by the BAS. The vessel was completed in March of 2017, but due to a setback from accessing an engine for it, it was launched on July 5, 2017. The launching of "Booby Bird" was held at the Old Belize Pier with the blessing of the boat and in the presence of BAS staff, the boat builder and representatives of the donor agency.
Biodiversity Monitoring Activities at LHRA. All monitoring activities were done using the new vessel with the exception of the Nassau Grouper spawning aggregation as the boat was not ready at the time. Nonetheless, the spawning aggregation monitoring was conducted using a chartered vessel. In addition to commercially important fin-fish species, coral bleaching, sea grass health, and conducting conch and lobster density surveys, a pelagic bird survey was conducted using the new vessel.
Sharing of results of marine biodiversity monitoring program. The BAS marine biologist enters data on Environmental Research Institute of the University of Belize (ERI/UB) national database (networks). A TOR exists for use of data by members of the networks. Data is also shared by BAS directly with the Fisheries Department. The Fisheries Department also accesses data from Networks. The data is owned by the Fisheries Department and network partners. Information from monitoring is also shared through the SPAGS newsletter. Sharing of information with the fishermen and communities was done via the education and outreach component of this project.

Objective #4: Environmental Education and Community Outreach
Boat to boat engagement sessions at LHRA. Originally 4 visits were intended, however, the budget allowed for 5 visits to be undertaken. The first boat to boat strategy was done on June 17 and 18, 2016. Approximately eighty-four (84) fishermen from Chunox, Copper Bank, Libertad, Sarteneja, San Estevan and Belize City participated in a joint community outreach and enforcement operations at Half moon Caye (HMCNM) and Blue Hole Natural Monuments (BHNM). The objectives of the joint effort was to promote awareness of BAS' community work under the current GEF funded project, sensitize fisher folks on fishing regulations, and provide valuable information and feedback on the status of the national roll-out of Managed Access.
The second joint boat to boat community outreach strategy, June 14 and 15, 2017, reached seventy one (71) fishermen from Chunox, Copper Bank, Libertad, Sarteneja, and Belize City. The components addressed during this second round of the boat to boat strategy were enforcement/compliance with fisheries regulations specifically related to the opening of the conch fisheries, strengthening relationship/collaboration with BAS/ and community stakeholders through its community program, enhancing and strengthening collaborative efforts among Fisheries Department, Coast Guard, BAS and fisher folks for sustainable resource use, direct approach/timing while fishers are on their sailboats, clarification of Managed Access and importance of the fishers using specific fishing areas, traditional access rights and use of catch data log books.
A third and fourth visit were conducted on July 22, 2017 and October 14-15, 2017 respectively with the similar objectives as before. An additional visit was done on November 1-2, 2017 in which enforcement/compliance with fisheries regulations specifically related the lobster/conch fisheries, strengthening relationship/collaboration with BAS/ and community stakeholders through its community program, enhancing and strengthening collaborative efforts among, Coast Guard, Fisheries Department BAS and fisher folks for sustainable resource use, direct approach/timing while fishers are on their sailboats, and information sharing of Managed Access and importance of the fishers using specific fishing areas, traditional access rights and use of catch data log books were addressed. There were a total of 315 encounters with individual fishermen in the 5 boat to boat outreach strategies that were undertaken.
Community sharing nights. One Hundred twenty (120) community stakeholders from Copper Bank and Chunox including fishermen, women and youth participated in the community awareness nights that were held in March 11-12, 2017. The purpose of the community awareness nights in both buffer communities was to strengthen the collaboration between BAS and the communities in promoting the sustainability of the marine resources at LHRA. In addition, the community awareness nights were organized by BAS as one of the activities to commemorate reef week which commenced from March 12-17, 2017. It highlighted and raised awareness of the importance of protecting the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS-WHS) that also includes Half-moon Caye and Blue Hole Natural Monuments (HMCNM and BHNM). Both communities experienced a fun-filled community sharing time with presentations that highlighted the importance of the reef and the preservation /sustainable use of the myriad of biodiversity (fish species, marine turtles, best practices in lobster and conch harvesting). The community sharing time culminated with the movie, "Finding Dori " and sharing of snacks and raffles.
School Presentations and Science Conference. Three Primary schools (Chunox R.C., Chunox Adventist, and Copper Bank R.C.) participated in the school presentations. The presentations engaged 94 students from the Std 1, 2 and 3 levels. The presentations were designed to raise awareness about the importance of BAS' marine protected areas. Students were engaged through interactive presentations entitled: A Talk with the Marine Biologist. The students simulated the life of a marine biologist and took a video tour of Half-moon Caye and Blue Hole Natural Monuments. During the presentations, quick facts and results about BAS marine research program were shared with the students.
The Marine Science Conference was held on March 29, 2017 at the Chunox St. Viator Vocational High School with participation of students from the Sarteneja Baptist High School and the Chunox St. Viator Vocational High School. Presentations were conducted by a number of NGO's including Blue Ventures, ECOSUR Chetumal, SACD, TASA, WildTracks and BAS. Presentations highlighted information about each organization's science programs, and the importance of such programs to the surrounding communities of Chunox, Copper Bank and Sarteneja and the entire country as well. In addition, students were encouraged to get involved in programs related to Science and Conservation. A total of seventy (70) students (34 males and 36 females) from both high schools participated in the science conference.

Objective #5: Scholarship Program
A total of 18 applications were received. The selection committee of 3 comprised of members from GEF/BAS applied the following criteria: must be the child of a fisherman, a citizen of Belize, show financial need, have academic proficiency from standards 4,5, 6 (80%), and submit complete application forms. Based on these criteria, two partial four year high school scholarships were awarded to Yahir Teck (Copper Bank) and Eljair Santoya (Chunox). The sum awarded is $800 per year - $600 for school fees and $200 book allowance. Originally, 1 high school and 1 vocational school scholarship were offered, however since no applications were received for vocational school two high school scholarships were awarded. The recipients and their parents attended an orientation session with BAS. Both recipients are currently in their second year at Chunox St, Viator H.S.