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Protection of Special Areas around Turneffe Flats
The Turneffe Islands Coastal Advisory Committee has identified a number of particularly sensitive areas and their immediate protection is essential. These areas include the Caribbean’s largest nesting area for the American Crocodile, the small cayes closely adjacent to the reef, the back reef flats on which the sport fishing industry depends, nesting areas for the endangered Roseate Tern and prime lobster breeding areas.
Protection of special areas-Completed Actions:
- The Turneffe Islands Coastal Advisory Committee has completed a title search and developed a comprehensive list of land leased and land owned on the Turneffe Atoll. We estimate that this list is at least 90% accurate.
- Key spawning aggregation sites for Grouper and Snappers have been identified and mapped.
- A few dive moorings are in place.
Protection of special areas-Actions in Process:
- Ralph and Lisa Cutter have been retained to produce a documentary film on the Turneffe Atoll. Filming has been completed and editing is in process. This will be a 23-minute film suitable for television. Estimates are that the Documentary will be complete in mid April at an estimated cost is $15,000.
- A brochure and other related printed materials, to be used for increasing public awareness, are in the early stages of development. Estimated cost is $10,000.
- A Web Site must be developed for informational and fund raising purposes. Estimated cost $5,000.
- Many additional dive moorings need to be placed to protect the reef. Estimated cost $20,000.
Protection of special areas-Future Actions:
- Armed with information obtained through the above research, the Government of Belize and the key permitting agencies must be educated about the specific requirements for sustainable development and protection of the fragile ecosystem. Estimated cost undetermined.
- The Government has leased many of the above-mentioned special areas to individuals speculating that these areas may be developed. The most definitive approach to ensuring that these areas are not developed is to purchase the leases (and, in some cases, the titles) and to place them in a conservation land trust. Estimated cost $1,000,000.