TNC Says Relevant Stakeholders Provided Input for Blue Bonds

As you heard, the Prime Minister is calling the Blue Bond agreement a win-win for Belize and the globe.  In terms of details, eighty million dollars will be invested annually in marine conservation. With approximately sixteen percent of Belize’s marine territory currently protected, under the Blue Bond agreement the Government of Belize has committed to increase marine protected areas up to thirty percent. Julie Robinson, Program Director at the TNC, said today at a press briefing that the planning process includes the input of all relevant stakeholders.

Julie Robinson

Julie Robinson, Program Director, TNC

“The marine spatial plan is another commitment that the government has made to The Nature Conservancy. They will initiate that marine within the first year. We call that MSP. The MSP is a participatory process. It will be led by government, facilitated by TNC, but it will be stakeholder driven. So, that process is a lengthy process. We are planning it to be a five year process. And, it will involve all the various users of the seas. So, it will include the fisheries industry. It will include the tourism industry, navigation, recreation, and not only the current uses. It will also take into consideration, future uses. So for example, if maybe in the future Belize decides we want to put in some wind forms to create sustainable energy, if that is what government wants to do, that will get incorporated into the planning as well. So, just imagine the plans that will kind of map out the entire ocean space, all the way out to the ECC, to say this is how we are going to this, this is what is allowed here, this is allowed in the other area, to ensure there is no conflict between users.”