The Prime Minister’s statements do not appear to be contradictory. Indeed, they are clear pronunciations on the issue, despite attempts to prevaricate on the referendum issue. So, is the Government to be trusted now? The Belize Tourism Industry Association appears to be giving the Prime Minister the benefit of the doubt as to the delay […]
Cabinet was expected to discuss the aborted plans for seismic testing in the deepest of Belize’s waters today. Last week, hastily whipped up public outcry forced Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia Junior to intervene with the Government. While no announcement has been made on the plans going forward as of news time, newly-appointed Minister of Agriculture, […]
Since raising the alarm on a pair of offshore studies, including a proposed seismic survey, the local environmental community has been frank in objecting to government’s approval of such maritime activities. Opposition from Oceana in Belize, the Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations, Healthy Reefs and the World Wildlife Fund, as well as public outcry, […]
Notwithstanding assurances that the survey would not be conducted within areas of the Caribbean Sea, including atolls and lagoons, the Belize Audubon Society maintains that it requires an Environmental Impact Assessment to be done. Amanda Burgos-Acosta, Executive Director, Belize Audubon Society “The reality of it is I think when we saw the first map […]
People’s power – that’s what moved government into action today. For days, environmentalists and other stakeholders have been on high alert. G.O.B. had given the green light for offshore seismic testing to a US company – TGS. They collect geo-scientific data that is sold off to oil and gas l exploration companies. They say this […]
This evening members of the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage held a celebratory press briefing at the Audubon Society’s headquarters. The representatives of the Belize Tourism Industry Association; OCEANA Belize; World Wildlife Fund; Healthy Reefs Initiative; and the Audubon acknowledged, in particular, residents of the islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker and […]
The surveys being conducted before the suspension was announced involved two separate methodologies: multi-beam and seep sea surveys. It is the latter that has the environmental community up in arms because, as Executive Director of the Belize Audubon Society Amanda Acosta explains, the type of survey involved leads in only one direction – to drilling […]
The local fishing and tourism community is keeping an eye on the ship involved in the survey. While it is not clear where it will be berthing tonight, the World Wildlife Fund’s Nadia Bood and the B.T.I.A.’s John Burgos said eyes will be spying on them to ensure they adhere to the decision by Government. […]
Earlier in the newscast, we heard about G.O.B.’s proposed seismic testing that has been put on hold following the tourism industry and conservation community’s uproar. On Wednesday, the Coalition told the media that the proposed seismic testing also means bad business in getting the Belize Barrier Reef System off the World Heritage Endangered list. Back […]
Seismic testing in offshore Belize starts on Thursday. On Tuesday night you heard Chief Environmental Officer Martin Alegria say that the testing is a part of a regional initiative. The project started with a multi-beam survey and is now being followed up with seismic testing. G.O.B. approved the project following the D.O.E.’s recommendation that an […]
But with all the back and forth between D.O.E. and the marine conservation community, seismic testing is a done deal. It is scheduled to start on Thursday. But, not so fast say the watch dogs of this project. They say they are prepared to file an injunction and take it as far as they can […]
For the past two weeks, we have been telling you about the proposed multi- beam and seismic testing that will be taking place in Belize’s offshore. Last week, G.O.B. issued a release that Cabinet has approved the survey that is merely part of a larger regional initiative. Local conservationists were quick to point out major […]
Chief Environmental Officer Alegria gave a little bit of details about the methodology being employed. He explained that it is an acceptable form used across the world. Alegria said it is non-intrusive and doesn’t necessarily require an E.I.A. Here’s how he explained it: Martin Alegria, Chief Environmental Officer “I can’t go into the details […]
In part one of the story of the scandalous land deal at Mile Five on the Philip Goldson Highway, we reported that Andre Vega, the son of the former Deputy Prime and Minister of Natural Resources, Gaspar Vega was compensated four hundred thousand dollars for a one acre parcel of prime land. That portion of […]
Among the demands of good governance that the B.N.T.U. is agitating for involves the fight against corruption in government. Back in October 2013, Prime Minister Dean Barrow publicly admitted that the Ministry of Lands is a hotbed of corruption in light of the sordid and crooked land deals being cut at the department. This is […]
A nineteen-year-old student lost his life on Sunday when he drowned in an area of Belmopan known as Rivera. Gian Bethran, along with several of his friends, went swimming that afternoon. Bethran dove into the river and never resurfaced. Despite all efforts to rescue the teenager, those attempts provide futile. Villagers, as well as Belmopan […]
The Belize National Coast Guard received a huge donation today in the form of a facility, personnel and other equipment valued at almost three million US dollars. With this new facility, the Coast Guard will be able to conduct maintenance on vessels at any time and even treat Coast Guard officers at a medic center […]
OCEANA has two new Ocean Heroes. Since 2012, every year, OCEANA Belize selects Belizeans to honor as Ocean Heroes. The winners are those who accomplish tremendous work in ocean conservation, advocacy and education. This year saw a big number of nominations, but only two were lucky enough to join the ranks of previous winners like […]
The conch season officially opened on Saturday, but even before then, on Friday, a joint patrol of Belize Audubon Society, Fisheries Department and the Belize National Coast Guard officers out at Lighthouse Reef came across a trio of fishermen. All three fishermen are from the village of Cooper Bank in the Corozal District. The incident […]
Last Wednesday, the Ministry of Economic Development and Petroleum sent out a release stating that along with the Geology Department, it will be conducting a multi-beam and sea seep survey to the east of the barrier reef and in the exclusive economic zone excluding all marine protected areas, as well as areas banned from petroleum […]
The National Met Service is asking Belizeans to keep an eye on Hurricane Matthew over the weekend. In an advisory sent late this evening, the Met Service says that they and NEMO are closely monitoring a powerful Category Four Hurricane Matthew. It has winds of one hundred and forty miles per hour and is moving […]
Another initiative was launched this morning at the Radisson Hotel in Belize City. The United Nations Development Programme, with support from the EU and other partners, is financing a Biodiversity Finance Initiative, BIOFIN. A one point six million dollar package over the next two years will be invested on a biodiversity finance strategy to ensure […]
The Belize Territorial Volunteers are organizing a first-of-its-kind competition in which kayakers will paddle from Barranco Village to Sarstoon River, circle once around Sarstoon Island and then return to the coastal community. The eco-challenge is scheduled for this Saturday and an open call has been made for interested persons sign up and take part in […]
While the BTV is not too worried about security issues at the border point, participants are not expected to cross over into Guatemalan territory. As far as fishing and illegal extraction of hardwood, there are serious concerns that residents on the Guatemalan side of the Sarstoon River continue to enter the Sarstoon Temash National Park […]
The “Oliver,” the Port of Belize Limited’s first-ever pilot launch boat, was christened this afternoon at its compound in Belize City. C.E.O. of the Port, Arturo Vasquez, shares details of how the nation’s leading port will make use of the boat. Arturo Vasquez, C.E.O., Port of Belize Limited “If I recall there is two […]
