Oceana lobbies against offshore drilling

audrey matura shepherd

In addition to APAMO, the Belize Audubon Society also made known its concern today.  Audubon believes that terrestrial drilling can be done feasibly but it is also concerned about drilling on the sea. OCEANA has also come out with a strong viewpoint on offshore drilling.  According to Vice President of OCEANA, Audrey Matura Shepherd, after their research team reviewed the map along with extensive research in the area of offshore drilling throughout international counterparts, the organization will also lobby to prevent any drilling in our waters.

Audrey Matura Shepherd, VP, Oceana

“The position of Oceana is that absolutely no offshore drilling in Belize.  We don’t even want the government to contemplate it.  Our position is strongly and emphatically no offshore drilling in this country.  It is something that we will advocate and rally against.  We will lobby against, we will rally people against because I think the people of Belize need to understand the magnitude of the disaster offshore drilling can bring to our country.  Right now, if you see, if people are keeping track of he news as it unfolds in the United States, you will see that the great USA cannot contain their oil spill.  BP, a big multibillion dollar corporation doesn’t have the resources to contain that disaster.  Not even the US government, with six thousand members of the Coastguard that they’ve sent out to try and alleviate the situation can even remedy it.  Superimpose that on Belize, physically, geographically, we would be wiped out.  Now superimpose their capabilities, their money, their wealth, their technology with us and let us be honest with ourselves, we don’t even have what it takes to try and control such a disaster so it’s an emphatic no to offshore drilling.  This map is very revealing and I’m glad it came out at a timely time so that we understand what is happening and I’m sure this government is a sensible government.  We’ve always had a Prime Minister who has listened to the outcry of the people and I’m sure we can reach the negotiating table for him to see the reason offshore drilling is a no for Belize.”

Jose Sanchez

“The concessions granted are not only for land.  It’s also in the sea.  Is the barrier reef a part of the concession area?”

Amanda Burgos Acosta, Advocacy Manager, Belize Audubon Society

amanda burgos acosta

“From a protected areas manager point of view, from a concerned citizen’s point of view, offshore concessions are of huge concern, in particular because there is so much risk associated with our natural resources and the potential damage.  We have what is called an emergent reef, that means when you go there and it’s low tide you can see the little crests of the reef.  It’s very shallow water, we have sea grasses, we have mangroves, patch reefs, and so in terms of any incidence or even the way that the exploration process is carried out, there are huge concerns.  We have to also consider the conflicts between the fishing industry and the whole oil exploration process. We have to also consider tourism is a visual industry.  We‘re talking about the industry based on aesthetics, right.”

Jose Sanchez

“But even the reef itself, it’s a barrier.  We’re below sea level.”

Amanda Burgos Acosta

“Yes, so we’re talking if there is any incidents we have a huge potential to just lose out in terms of what are our natural resources.”

News Five will have more on the offshore drilling situation as it develops over the coming weeks. We will also follow the paper trail of shell companies to find out who are the investors.