OCEANA questions integrity of oil concessions in World Heritage Site
audrey matura shephard
On Thursday News Five spoke to Marc Patry, a programme specialist in UNESCO’s Special Project’s Unit of the World Heritage Center in Paris. Patry indicated that a de-listing of the Barrier Reef from the World Heritage Site is possible because of the licenses given for oil exploration. He gave an example of the country of Oman, where he personally inspected a World Heritage Site. The authorities in Oman decided that they preferred to drill for oil rather than protect the site, so it was removed as a World Heritage Site. Patry said he would contact the Belize government to see what its intentions are since the entire reef system and surrounding sea have been parceled off in concession blocks for oil exploration. Audrey Matura Shepherd, OCEANA’s Vice President in Belize, says that a delisting of the site could make it easier for oil prospectors and the government to do as they please in our waters.
Audrey Matura Shepherd, Vice President, OCEANA Belize
“I’m not surprised of the response from UNESCO. I think that is the response that anyone would expect from a responsible institution like UNESCO. And sadly indeed there is always that possibility that we can be de-listed. My fear is that if we are de-listed, that just removes one more barrier that will allow the government to more freely decide that they will do whatever they want. We have safety mechanisms in place I would believe; our NGO’s being one, our people themselves being one, our international partners being one, UNESCO being one of those international partners. If UNESCO throws its hands up in the air and say “well we’re going to delist them”, that’s just one less battle for the government. So we wouldn’t want us to be delisted.”
Jose Sanchez
“If commercial quantities are found there are other issues that fishermen aren’t aware of that will impact them on the seas.”
Audrey Matura Shepherd
“I think before it even comes to the commercial quantities, the exploration process itself, people like to say—those who propose—that offshore is a good thing, they like to say that the exploration is not dangerous, that we’re exaggerating. But it actually has its negative impact on the marine resources. First of all, the process that is used affects the marine mammals and the technology that is used can also cause some physical damage and can also affect the habitat of our fishes. So I think those people who are saying that are not being fair and open. And then once we reach that stage where they have found oil in commercial quantities, it doesn’t mean that area will be accessible to everyone because each person that owns a portion and has to set up an oil rig or whatever platform they decide to set up out there is entitled to put some limit and restrict totally access to certain areas as a safety mechanism because you wouldn’t want to be putting a rig out and then people can come and interfere or there could be an accident, others would get hurt. So I think our fishermen haven’t really been sensitized to it. They will be giving up a lot again. Already they make a lot of sacrifice by recognizing or accepting that certain areas are protected areas. But once an oil rig is set up they will not be allowed to go into these areas. There’s a certain mileage that is delimited and ensure that it is off limits to everyone except those authorized personnel to deal with the company.”
This issue is a real sensitive one that requires in-depth study and rationalization; the pros and cons. One cannot just jump and say no drilling, period; What are the present benefits of being listed as a World Heritage site? What pisses me off is that some foreign organization will tell a Sovereign Government/people what to do or how to run your assets. They are doing this after exploiting their own resources and getting to First World status but the poor countries have to stick to their rules and play by their game.
Sad to say that our present government is not using / managing our oil resource properly; look at the present crude price for today ($67.00 ) and gas @ less than two dollars yet Belizeans are paying $10.00 on average at the pump. The present prices are what we used to pay when the price of crude reached $147.00 then under the PUP.
It is a risk already to drill on land besides to the fact that I know Audrey what she is saying is exactly right, once a rig is set in our sea the same thing that happened in the gulf of mexico can happen to our barrier reef if it happens it kills our economy. How fish die becoming oily, no fish to eat no tourism cos they dont wanna bathe in oil, plus it contaminates the rivers which provides water for our plant life and if it reach beaches no sea side fu bathe no more…the price to pay for the risk is too high we have little land and less people so it would affect us even more intensely than the present oil spill in the States. ANd no more barrier reef the only thriving industry would be sale of guns and drugs if we become another Haiti, we deal with brain drain, gangs and devaluation, unemployement and higher crimes. Please, think about it. NO matter how careful you say you will be in drilling in the ocean it is more risky than inland I hope govt reads this little ten cents we are contributing. And if the govt does listen/heed our observation may God bless them for doing what is best for our people. I hope everyone has a good day.