Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute manages a large amount of spatial data and non-spatial information. Under its Data Management Program, the Coastal and Marine Data Centre (CMDC) functions as an integral arm of the institute and other organizations that manage the coastal and marine areas of Belize by providing a framework for the analysis of resource management data.

Data housed in the Coastal and Marine Data Centre aids to monitor trends and assists in influencing critical decisions in respect of the coastal zone, which is done with the aid of Geographic Information System (GIS.)

In 1995, CZMAI became the second government agency to develop and use a GIS, following the development of the Land Information Centre (LIC) as the first government agency with GIS capacity in 1992.

Graphical Information System is an invaluable tool for data visualization, analysis, and a method of making smart maps by attaching data to every entity on them. GIS allows use to effectively capture, store, update, manipulate, analyse and display all forms of geographically referenced information. CZMAI uses GIS to identify areas along the Coast that are fragile and need protection.

Graphical Information System is an invaluable tool for data visualization, analysis, and a method of making smart maps by attaching data to every entity on them. GIS allows use to effectively capture, store, update, manipulate, analyse and display all forms of geographically referenced information. CZMAI uses GIS to identify areas along the Coast that are fragile and need protection.

GIS allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts.

When the 2016 Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan was being developed, one of the biggest obstacles to creating a robust, science-based plan that would safeguard Belize’s natural assets was a dearth of tools and limited synthesis of existing data.

Therefore, under the Marine Conservation and Climate Adaptation Project (MCCAP), the Data Centre was able carry out an Inventory of Land Use patterns by collecting specific coastal development data within three coastal planning regions: Caye Caulker Region, Central Region, and South Northern Region.

The current mapping efforts will provide guidance to the development of alternative zoning schemes in the future. The results have been used to produce a coastal zone management plan for the entire Belizean Coast that designates areas for preservation, restoration, development, and other uses.

To obtain datasets, a formal data request letter stating the purpose of the project/study, timeline and data layers being requested must be sent to CZMAI Director: Mrs. Arlene Young at director@coastalzonebelize.org. The Data Manager, gismanager@coastalzonebelize.org, can be copied on the email as well.  After the letter has been endorsed by the Director, a data sharing agreement will be prepared and shared for revision and signing. Once both parties have signed the agreement, the data layers requested will be prepared and sent via email.