Shagg Bluff Caye up for sale
The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest in the world. Because of its beauty and abundance of life that is found nowhere else, UNESCO gave it a ‘Wonder of the World’ status when it dubbed the reef, a World Heritage Site. But despite the recognition that a part of our environment is something to be cherished for the entire planet to see, the government has continued to allow development in areas that threatens to destroy the fragile ecosystem. In 2009, UNESCO placed the barrier reef on the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger. While the future of Belize on the list is uncertain, what is certain is the continued damage to the environment. There is a distressing report that Clark, also known as Shagg Bluff Caye, which is located off the coast of the Belize District is up for sale and development. It is dangerously close to a wildlife sanctuary in the area. Wildlife sanctuaries can only be used for research and are barred from commercial activity. The survey was requested by Carlos Alexander Burns of Orange Walk Town and the commissioner of lands granted permission to survey two point six-two-nine acres of national land, remaining portion Shagg Bluff. That development is not the only one that is sure to be questioned over the coming days. Businessman David Gegg is applying for a license for an underwater walk and dive tour in the Ambergris Caye area. Environmentalists are monitoring this development.
Continuing on the environmental front, there is an update to the situation of the Jamaican Fishermen who came to fish in Belize. The fishermen did not have a license to operate in our waters, however, they had an agreement with the Rio Grande Cooperation of Punta Gorda. The boats and those particular fishermen are gone; however the Jamaicans are trying to receive support for their venture. Representatives are lobbying Belize’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to catch fish which are not normally sought by local fishermen. News Five will monitor all these threats to the environment.
National Land should not be for sale…
We certainly need NEW legislations that addresses this issues directly…
There should be a LAW that can automatically and without compensation reacquire NATIONAL PROTECTED LAND…if it is sold!!!
Belize needs of the ONLINE Land Management System so that all lands transactions processed are tracked and recorded in this system. This online system NEEDS to be open and free so that ALL Belizeans are aware of land being sold by government and the PRICE being paid….
This will help reduce fraud and violation of protected areas because if the land transaction is not available on the online system, then the land title automatically becomes VOID….this will ensure that the buyer ensures that the land purchased is on the system or else the land can be taken away if it is not registered in the system…..this will ensure also that we Belizeans can monitor that the right price is being paid
Moreover, CAYES should not be sold but only given as lease or concessions for certain period of time, like 15 years or so!!!
There is also the need of NEW legislation to address the issue of UNDERVALUATION of lands sold by government. IF lands were sold for a low price, then the next government can see the price paid for lands sold by the previous government…
therefore, a LAND would be taken away if it was not registered in the system when the title was issued or if the land was undervalued..
I will soon begin to study LAW so that I can draft some possible legislations to address some major issues that affects Belize…It looks like the lawyers of today in Belize will not help the country if they are not paid….what a shame on educated people that are of self- interest and do not want to contribute to address the issues of Belize..
“ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU-ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY” John F. Kennedy
And I thought the UDP were the party for the people, we need a new party, this is utter stupidity and a slap to the face of all Belizeans. It’s unfortunate that ignorant people still see blue and red, open your eyes and take back your country.
This comes as no shock to me, really.
While Belize is still half way a great place to be, I hope the Belizeans still living there are at least enjoying the remains of it, because in the end it will all be gone.
The reef should have been Belize most important child, well taken care of and preserved, instead it is being torn apart by idiots without a clue.
All that is left for the government to sell is its people when selling parcels of land.
Whoever BetterBelize is ,you should be in Belize running for Politics, your comment is one of the most sensible and best I’ve read in a long time. You need to write more comments about our country and maybe some politician will read it and follow your suggestions. Congratulations
Anything/everything that has to do with NATURAL RESOURSES should not be SOLD/LEASED. These property belong to the PEOPLE OF BELIZE. Do you see US, UK, MEX, etc selling their LAND, MINERALS, OIL RESERVE TO OTHER COUNTRIES?. The stupidity of the PEOPLE REPRESENTING GOV’T is unimaginable.
really this gov. is a shame to internationaly media. gov. taking the peoples land and selling the only existing pride that we have as reserves and national lands. damn. who’s really the person that give the land for sale. i mean shouldn’t they ask the country first or they just decide on their own what to sale and what to take away from us with no remorse.
UDP -PUP all the same, with their noses in the trough. greed has no bounds with these people, and yet another piece of the Belizean peoples property will be sold off at a low price to a cronie, who will sell it to a foreign “Developer” for millions. Ministers and PM will get a slice of this pie, and the land will be destroyed, along with the reef close by. It’ll probably end up undeveloped, apart from a landing strip, and used as a drop-off poiint for drugs. Police & Coast Guard will be told from on high to turn a bling eye to this, and again, a few will get their cut at the expense of the people.
Governments should stop and desist from selling or leasing the natural wonders of our beautiful country. They should be reminded of the story of killing the goose that laid the golden egg.
If only more people could read this.