About 40 years ago, the state of Florida accidentally introduced a voracious predator to the Atlantic Ocean waters: the Lionfish. And so it came to pass that the Caribbean and Belize wound up right in the middle of a Lionfish invasion.

What’s a nation dependent upon aquatic resources to do in light of this scary threat? Apply some good, old-fashioned Belize innovation to the problem: the Belize fishing industry declared war on Lionfish and decided to “repurpose” these prolific intruders by turning the species into both a sporting activity and a food source.

These days, you can come to Belize specifically to participate in Lionfish hunting expeditions that offers the opportunity to use a spear rather than a rod or cages, to snare these creatures. That said, restrictions associated with catching Lionfish are stringent: Both individuals and fisheries must obtain a special license because it’s illegal to use a spear in certain areas off Belize or while scuba diving.

For that reason, if you have an interest in pursuing this exotic sport, you’ll need an experienced tour guide arranged by staff at Chabil Mar, but once you’re set you’re in for the fishing experience of a lifetime. Have fun. Set a catch record. Pat yourself on the back because you will have helped the Belize fishing industry cull the Lionfish population.

LIONFISH – Belize from OCEANAbz on Vimeo.

There’s another benefit to be had if you book a Lionfish expedition: you could also help Belize’s movement to substitute Lionfish for a dwindling Conch catch that has diminished of late. Conch has traditionally been a popular dish, but despite stringent marine laws, supplies are becoming difficult to obtain. When it is caught, Conch flesh must weigh at least three ounces to be used in dishes served by restaurants like Café Mar, the on-site Chabil Mar eatery.

The future of Conch is already a concern for restauranteurs, but if Lionfish can be substituted, the Conch catch might even recover from its current dilemma. That would be great news for the Placencia Producers’ Cooperative Society Ltd. As the nation’s first national fishing cooperative, they have oversight on both catches. Thanks to their efforts, Lionfish is now processed locally and the crustacean has even received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, so it’s being shipped to the U.S., where it’s gaining quite the reputation for flavor and texture.

But nobody cooks Lionfish like Belize resort chefs thrilled to have a new menu item, so whether you visit Belize to catch Lionfish or you’re just interested in tasting the dish Chabil Mar-style, during your Belize vacation, you can’t go wrong by ordering Ceviche made with Lionfish. And if Conch’s also on the menu when you’re here, make the Ceviche your appetizer and follow it up with house specialties like conch fritters.

By the way, if you book a Lionfish outing, you can even catch your own dinner with the “You Catch It, We Cook It” service from the Chefs at Café Mar . . . and they know the ins and outs of preparing a Lionfish! It’s unlike anything you’ve ever tasted.

Belize is much more than a great destination to enjoy beautiful beaches, explore ancient Maya ruins, and scuba dive the rich waters around coral reefs; it is also a superb location to study arthropods. With a large and complex ecosystem of pristine rainforests and jungles, Belize has been attracting biologists and environmental scientists for decades who come to the country to study the varied forms of arthropods which include thousands of species of crustaceans at sea and insects on land.

More than 80% of all non-plant species on the planet are arthropods, including species like butterflies, crabs, lobsters and shrimp. Defined as animals with no interior bones and relying on an exterior hard shell or segmented body (called an exoskeleton), arthropods have over a million known species. Arthropods are sensitive to pollution so scientists from around the world come to Belize to study these important creatures in a setting where they thrive.

Recently, students enrolled at the New Mexico State University College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences visited Belize for a 10-day expedition to study the Central American nation’s ecology. The students came to Belize because of the wide diversity of arthropods found in the local jungles and forests. Thanks to strong conservation efforts by the government of Belize, arthropods are able to flourish in their natural habitats.

If you are traveling to Belize to enjoy more traditional attractions like the Belize Barrier Reef, the miles of gorgeous beaches or the dozens of Mayan ruins, you might also enjoy learning more about the country’s diverse ecology and its abundance of arthropods.

For close access to both the Belize Barrier Reef offshore and pristine rainforests and jungles on the mainland, Chabil Mar features luxury accommodations in a charming and unique setting. A guest exclusive resort located on the Placencia Peninsula in Southern Belize, Chabil Mar offers excursions to see all of the best ancient Mayan cities, as well as snorkeling and diving tours to the reef. The resort can also arrange expeditions to witness nature in the Cockscomb Basin Preserve and along the banks of the Monkey River, two of the best places in the country where you can learn more about Belize’s unique flora and fauna.

For information about visiting Belize, feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at:reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Or perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.

Last year, the world’s attention focused on American actor and presenter Steve Harvey after he unintentionally announced the wrong winner at the Miss Universe pageant. Despite facing a withering storm of outrage on the internet, Steve Harvey maintained strong support from some quarters, including the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) which took the proactive step of inviting Mr. Harvey to come host the country’s 2016 edition of the Costa Maya beauty pageant held in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.

This week, Harvey surprised his radio listeners by stating that he just might take up the BTB’s invitation and host this year’s Costa Maya pageant. Broadcasting from the Cayman Islands, Steve Harvey was in the midst of interviewing Monyque Brooks, currently Miss Cayman, when he stated, “I am hosting the [Costa Maya] pageant this year and it’s going to be in Belize”. Mr. Harvey further added that he looks forward to visiting the country.

The audio clip from Harvey’s show caused a lot of excitement in Belize. In an attempt to confirm that Mr. Harvey will indeed be hosting the 2016 Costa Maya pageant, journalists contacted BTB Director Karen Bevans who stated that she is currently in the United States and that her staff is currently in negotiations with Mr. Harvey’s people for the popular comedian and actor to host the event.

On December 21, 2015, after the world learned of Harvey’s misstep during the Miss Universe pageant, BTB tweeted to Harvey, “We all make mistakes. You handled yours with class. Would you host our next pageant?” and subsequently received a “like” from Mr. Harvey.

After the Pageant

To unwind from all the excitement of hosting the pageant, Steve Harvey is heartily encouraged to enjoy all of the wonderful sights in Belize. One of the most beautiful spots in the country is the Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize. With easy access to a wide variety of mainland adventures and just a few miles from the pristine Barrier Reef, Placencia is an ideal place to experience the best of Belize.

One of the finest resorts in Placencia is Chabil Mar. A luxury destination with its own private beach, Chabil Mar is an oasis of modern amenities with close access to both marine and mainland excursions in southern Belize. After Harvey’s faux pas at the end of 2015, Chabil Mar’s marketing manager Larry France heartily recommended that the celebrity host and presenter come visit Placencia and enjoy a delicious cocktail at the resort.

When a nation has as many exciting and unique natural wonders as does Belize—a world-class barrier reef, untold numbers of ancient Mayan ruins, first-class birding and dive meccas like the Big Blue Hole that astonished even the likes of Jacques Cousteau—you might think that this corner of the Caribbean has revealed all of its wonders. But even skeptics were caught off guard when a recent sighting of a rare humpback whale was reported by tourists sailing off the coast of the Placencia Peninsula.

The humpback whale, once thought to be endangered, is making a healthy comeback. Conservationists agree that populations are increasing. Their distinctive body shape makes this particular type of whale easy to identify thanks to long pectoral fins, a knobby head and the mammal’s unique water breaching style, but it’s not usually found in Belize waters, so visitors were both taken aback by the sighting and thrilled.

Local marine mammal experts believe that the whale, estimated to be about 30-feet in length (the average humpback measures 45-feet), may have become disoriented, causing it to lose its way. Excitement since that first sighting has been palpable, thus everyone on the Placencia Peninsula has been keeping close watch over the deep water channel that leads to the Big Creek Port.

“We saw this magnificent creature inside the reef yesterday,” North American tourists reported, after having observed the whale for 15 to 20 minutes before it disappeared beneath the surface. They declared themselves among the of luckiest Belize visitors to have spotted it and thus far, nobody disagrees!

It’s anybody’s guess how long the whale, found most often in Pacific waters, will stick around. Marine mammal and wildlife experts and organizations currently keeping tabs on sightings are prepared to step in if the whale exhibits signs of trouble and there’s something they can do to get it back into deep ocean.

In the interim, this news has spread across Belize like wildfire, so even if scientists don’t spot the whale first, Belizeans and tourists surely will.

“When we booked our late-winter vacation to Belize, we were excited to have found Placencia Village,” said a guest staying at Chabil Mar Villas. “The staff not only recommended great sites and excursions, but they suggested a sailing outing that could offer us a humpback whale sighting if we’re fortunate. Just in case we are lucky enough to spot the whale ourselves, we’ve already cleared out our camera’s memory card!”

Said another Chabil Mar guest, “We thought it was a rumor—until a YouTube video surfaced on the Internet that began to go viral.

If it turns out that we spot the whale, this could turn our already-awesome vacation into one that’s unforgettable on so many levels!”

For more information about visiting Belize and the Placencia Peninsula, feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at:reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Or perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.

Belize is proud to be the host nation of the 10th annual Central American Cross Country Championship in Athletics. The event will take place on Saturday, February 20, in Roaring Creek Village in Cayo District and is being sponsored by the Central American Track and Field Organization.

Competitors from all of the countries in Central America will converge on Roaring River Golf Course in Belize for the exciting event with more than 125 runners expected to participate.

Belize has previously hosted the Central American Cross Country Championship but 2016 will mark the first time hosting the event under the leadership of a new executive. Belize hopes to make a good showing at this exciting event which is being generously sponsored by the Belizean Ministry of Sports and a number of businesses.

On Saturday, January 30, 2016, the Belize Athletics Association will hold a nationwide competition to select athletes to compete at the Championship on February 20. Any athletes interested in competing at the selection trial on January 30 should register as soon as possible by emailing belizeathleticassociation@gmail.com or making contact via Facebook.

The staff and management of Chabil Mar wish success to all of the participating teams in this year’s Central American Cross Country Championship!