Concerned Tourism Groups Steadfast Against Cayo Rosario
Cayo Rosario is a development project approved back in 2018 to build a resort extending into the sea. San Pedro residents are upset because they believe that the project will affect the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a protected area. Despite assurances from the Department of the Environment and other agencies that the project will be closely monitored, many tourism-related organizations and companies oppose it. The Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development is leading a meeting with San Pedro residents on Tuesday night. They hope to rally more protests to push the government to revoke the developer’s permit. News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with two group members today and filed this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Despite reassurances from government environmental agencies just a week ago, tour-related groups in San Pedro are firmly against the Cayo Rosario project. Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai stated that the project was approved back in 2018 after meeting all environmental requirements. Last week’s statement also promised close monitoring of the project. However, Phillip Leslie, co-chair of the Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development, argued that it makes no sense to declare a reserve and then allow development within it.
Phillip Leslie
Phillip Leslie, Co-chair, Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Dev.
“In 2015 after years of consultation and deliberation, that whole area was identified as an extension to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve because of the important bajos, which are the shallow banks where bonefish, tarpon, and permit use for habitats. So in 2015, it was declared a protected area. This is the fact that the DOE and other government departments are failing to see. You protect it for a reason. Why change? In the rules and regulations, which are laws, for that protected area, which was an extension to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, it clearly states no structures, no dredging.”
Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai explained that there is a legal process for developers to gain private use of the seabed, which was followed in this case. He emphasized that the approval was based on scientific and technical data. However, Elito Arceo, another member of the association, questioned what other developments might be allowed in the future.
Elito Arceo
Elito Arceo, Concerned San Pedro Resident
“Should we have over-the-water bungalows at Half Moon Caye? Or at the Blue Hole? So where is this gonna stop? It doesn’t belong to them. It belongs to the people of Belize. Those people should be working for us. How in God’s name you gonna sit down there and even consider, much less approve a project that sits in a marine reserve! You protected it for a reason.”
The meeting is set for seven Tuesday night at the San Pedro Lions Den. Marion Ali for News Five.
For more information visit:
https://edition.channel5belize.com/doe-assures-strict-compliance-for-cayo-rosario-project/
https://edition.channel5belize.com/san-pedro-residents-respond-to-doe-official/
https://edition.channel5belize.com/government-to-increase-oversight-of-cayo-rosario-development/
htps://archive.channel5belize.com/archives/186782
https://archive.channel5belize.com/archives/172075
https://archive.channel5belize.com/archives/169849
https://archive.channel5belize.com/archives/168995
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