The Belize Barrier Reef Has Beef

Belize Tourism Board Launches a Catchy Social Media Campaign for World Oceans Day 2023

BELIZE CITY, Belize, June 8, 2023 – As a bold yet playful call to action for World Oceans Day 2023, the Belize Tourism Board today launched a social media campaign entitled “Reef With A Beef.” The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of ocean sustainability through humor.

This tongue-in-cheek initiative was born from the reality that while Belize is doing a great deal to protect its oceans, there are others around the world who simply aren’t doing enough. As a 10,000-year resident of the ocean, the Belize Barrier Reef is a natural spokesperson to represent the frustrations of those who see what’s happening. The Reef With A Beef (RWAB) will be active on its “personal” Twitter and Instagram accounts – both @ReefWithABeef – and will engage with followers in “trash talk” to bring awareness to the alarming levels of worldwide ocean pollution. The reef will call out anything and anyone who may be harming its habitat on a global scale.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second-largest barrier reef in the world. It extends 185 miles along the full length of the Belizean coast and is home to hundreds of species of coral and fish. It is also a hot spot for divers, snorkelers, and biologists from all over the world.

“Conservation has always been part of Belize’s DNA,” said Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations. “Through intensive efforts spanning decades, nearly half of the entire nation has been protected as either a nature preserve/reserve, wildlife sanctuary, or national park. Our Belize Barrier Reef is the greatest illustration of our drive and passion for conservation, being a UNESCO World Heritage Site it is the premier natural landscape that serves as one of our most visited eco-tourism attractions that draws thousands of snorkeling and diving enthusiasts to our nation every year.”

Minister Mahler continued: “The goal of this campaign is not only to promote the Reef’s brand on an international scale but also to provide a platform to learn about the value of this incredibly beautiful yet very fragile marine ecosystem and to encourage positive actions that will not only preserve, but also allow the Belize Barrier Reef to thrive for thousands more years to come.”

In the last few years, Belize has made huge strides in improving the country’s sustainability initiatives, including designating no-take marine protected areas, banning off-shore drilling, establishing the Fish Right Eat Right program, and more, and is now considered one of the most biodiverse and environmentally conscious destinations in the Caribbean and Central America. To learn more, visit travelbelize.org.

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