Exhibition shows wear and tear on reef

We can’t blame viewers if they’re a bit confused. Having recently observed Earth Day on April twenty-second, we are now asked to celebrate today, June second, as World Environment Day. Hey, it’s an important subject and we’ll go with the flow…and speaking of flow, this year’s theme focuses on the sea. Patrick Jones reports on one educational activity in Belize City.

Patrick Jones

The exhibition is highlighting the impact of human activities on the coastline over the last five years. Information Specialist with the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, Tanya Williams Thompson, says the idea is to let people know how they can help.

Tanya Williams-Thompson, Info. Specialist, C.Z.M.I.A.

?It is saying that the onus is on us as the general public in deciding whether we want a sea that is dead or we want a sea that is alive. A sea that gives us economic benefits, a sea that gives us aesthetical benefits and that is why we decided to hold our day in conjunction with World Environment Day. This Coastal Awareness Day is being held in conjunction with World Environment Day because we believe that the theme really focuses on our key message, which is you are responsible for what happens out there.?

But while environmentalists have been putting the message out there, Williams-Thompson says it appears to have been slow in reaching its target.

Tanya Williams Thompson

“There are major concerns in terms of coral reef impacts from tourism activities. Of course from coastal developments, those are also areas of interest for us. I think there is a lot more that needs to be done for people to get that message. People are still looking at the bread and butter issue, they?re still looking at the financial benefit that you could in the short term and they are not looking at the long term benefits that their children will get if we have sustainable development.”

Research indicates that while things are fairly stable along the coast, offshore, the situation is beginning to deteriorate.

Tanya Williams Thompson

“Well the last report we did was The State of the Coast 2001/2002 and one of the significant things we have noticed is impact to coral reefs, and especially impacts from tourism activities.”

“In terms of coral reefs, coral reefs are important for the fishing industry. It?s also important in terms of the tourism industry. So it impacts us both economically and biologically, in terms of people touching coral reefs, impacts from anchors, people breaking it off to take back as souvenirs.”

The one day exhibition featured photographs and video presentations focusing on the work of the C.Z.M.I.A. Patrick Jones, for News 5.