Country and Community
Belize – operating in Placencia and surrounding coastal communities

What the business does

The Belize Women’s Seaweed Farmers Association (BWSFA) is a women-led collective advancing a sustainable, community-centered seaweed mariculture industry in Belize. BWSFA promotes equitable benefits, environmental regeneration, and economic opportunity for coastal communities.

Products or services offered

BWSFA members cultivate red seaweed species and produce a range of value-added products including dried seaweed, seaweed gel, cosmetics, food-grade products, nutraceuticals, and beauty care lines. The association also engages in training, boat captain certification, and seaweed farming capacity-building.

Raw materials used

Primarily red seaweed species: Kappaphycus alvarezii and Eucheumatopsis isiformis – sustainably farmed on submerged lines in the Caribbean Sea.

Technologies applied

• Low-input, submerged farm systems for seaweed cultivation
• Manual and semi-mechanized (seaweed grinding) processing techniques
• Traceability systems under development
• Small-scale R&D into seaweed strains and climate resilience
• Branding and sustainable packaging for value-added products

Current stage of development

BWSFA is in a growth and consolidation phase. With 31 members, the association has trained 8 female boat captains, supported 9 entrepreneurs in developing seaweed-based products, and processed over 17,000 wet pounds of seaweed. The group participates in national legislation dialogues, international conferences, and is investing in processing infrastructure, branding, and market expansion.

Importantly, BWSFA is also building a collective, umbrella brand to unify and promote Belizean seaweed products under a single, trusted identity, aimed at increasing visibility, value, and market reach both locally and internationally.

Contact Information

Jalima Gold
Placencia Village, Stann Creek District, Belize
Telephone: +501-671-2212
Email: bwsfa2019@gmail.com