Research station at Hunting Caye handed to U.B.
The island and its neighbours are perhaps best known for their political significance, as they have more than once figured prominently in various proposals to the Guatemalan claim to Belize. But anyone who has ever had the privilege to visit Hunting Caye knows it’s a special place … and not because of politics. Kendra Griffith, with the help of the Press Office, reports.
Kendra Griffith, Reporting
With its white sandy beaches, swaying coconut trees and steady breezes off the Caribbean Sea, Hunting Caye looks like the perfect vacation spot.
But the two-storey building which was officially inaugurated Saturday on the island is no resort. Instead, the Living Reef Centre, as it is called, is a research facility to be manned by the University of Belize.
Dr. Edwin Martinez, Field Director, Earthwatch Institute Belize
“This facility will help assist scientists from the University of Belize and other institutions such as TASTE,TIDE and international researchers to come to Belize and to conduct research that will generate data or information that will assist the policy makers in making decisions that will assist in a sustainable management for the reef systems here in the Sapodilla Cayes.”
Santos Mahung, President, University of Belize
“And what is good is that that research benefits us directly. We know more, we know how to protect, we know how to better utilise, so all of that is very important.”
The centre cost over half a million dollars to build and furnish. Funding was provided by international N.G.O., the Earthwatch Institute, U.S. environmentalist Todd Robinson, and the Oak Foundation.
Dr. Edwin Martinez
“It was constructed as a green facility, meaning, trying to use sustainable energy source, it would be finally powered by a hybrid wind/solar energy system, reducing the need for any fuel power to power the power system. So we’ll have solar panels, we’ll have a back-up generator to charge those solar panels, we have waste treatment system for the toilet that is especially designed to prevent distribution of the waste into the aquifer system of the island.”
The importance of being green applies to more than just the buildings. According to the environmentalists, Hunting Caye’s status as one of the major islands in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve and its location at the southern tip of the Belize Barrier Reef make it a strategic place for research.
Dr. Mark Chandler, Dir. Of Science Progs., Earthwatch Institute
“The Sapodilla Cayes are the anchor of the Meso American Barrier Reef System, which is the second largest Barrier Reef System in the world. This is a critical global resource that we have here and the Sapodilla Cayes are a key part of that that is generally underrepresented.”
Dr. Edwin Martinez
“The presence of this facility here brings recognition that efforts are being made to address the management of the reef here in southern Belize which has been traditionally neglected.”
It has been twelve years since the range of cayes was established as a marine reserve, but like many protected areas, the lack of resources has meant sporadic enforcement of environmental laws. But according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Gaspar Vega, government is taking steps to become proactive rather than reactive.
Gaspar Vega, Minister of Natural Resources & Environment
“In my own ministry I have directed the regrouping of the policy level technical team comprising the departments of environment, forest, lands and geology to review technical reports and various recommendations that have been received in defining a roadmap for action. We are working closely with the United Nations Development Program to finalise arrangements for a project that will strengthen the policy coordination and planning mechanism with the ministry of natural resources and environment. The project also has an output; improvement in the consultation process with the N.G.O.s, community based organisations and the private sector.”
And with our cayes, reef and coastline under steady assault from man and nature, those policy improvements cannot come a moment too soon. Kendra Griffith reporting for News Five.
The Living Reef Centre can accommodate thirty-four students and faculty, and comes completed with a computer lab, kitchen, and dining room. It will complement U.B.’s other research facility on Calabash Caye. In related news, Minister Vega has announced a nine month ban on dredging on cayes in the Southwater Caye Marine Reserve. During that time technical personnel will evaluate the effects of various projects in which mangrove cayes in the reserve have been filled by developers, in many cases negatively affecting the surrounding underwater environment. That area, particularly the Pelican Range, is believed to be one of the most unique and pristine marine habitats in the entire Caribbean.
