Ferguson Advises to Halt Work on Will Bauer Falts  

In early February, the Government of Belize ordered a suspension of the dredging operations being conducted at Angelfish Caye by the company Angelfish Caye LLC. The island, popularly known as the Will Bauer Flats, is located off the coast of Placencia. This suspension order came because of the protest made by the fly fishermen on the island who say that that their livelihood depends on being able to catch bonefish in that area. However, recently, the suspension was lifted, once again, sparking outrage from the fly-fishing community. Area representative Rodwell Ferguson, of Stann Creek West, was asked what is being done about the situation. Here is his response.

 

Rodwell Ferguson, Area Representative, Stann Creek West

“I don’t even know who is Angel Fish, I think, the name of the organization.  And again, the Fishermen, because I’m the area rep, contacted me about two or three years ago and said we are not satisfied with the dredging of the area because they have filled up a shovel with material right from the seabed, which is a fly fishing area. It came up in cabinet yesterday, and I think cabinet will have to enforce and give a notice to the Department of Environment to put a hold into this thing until we can satisfy that what they are doing is the right thing. And the fly fishers are appreciative and accept what they want to accomplish. What was suggested that they can maybe move their material from a further distance to that location if they want to fill to do some development Because at the same time we cannot stop development.”