In April 2009, the Environmental Protection Act was amended primarily to provide for greater environmental control and management of the petroleum industry, to make improved provisions for the protection of the Belize Barrier Reef System, to establish an environmental management fund, to provide for out-of-court settlement in appropriate cases, and to provide for the issue of violation tickets for … The Belize Barrier Reef System was first inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996 in recognition of the site's incredible biodiversity and cultural significance. Since declaring independence in 1981, Belize has enacted many environmental protection laws aimed at the preservation of the country's natural and cultural heritage, as well as its wealth of natural resources. These acts have established a number of different types of protected areas,... The Belize Barrier Reef is the centerpiece of one of the world’s largest marine reserves – Encompassing more than 450 islands, three atolls, and seven adjacent marine reserves, the Belize Barrier Reef requires constant government maintenance and intervention to protect this fragile but important ecosystem. They exist to protect important fish species, conserve marine life and preserve Belize’s environment for the future. *The Belize Barrier Reef and its World Heritage site have been at risk of irreversible damage from offshore oil activity. Belize Barrier Reef. This 220-mile formation is a subsection of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef … This is why we work on both sides of the coast and with a holistic vision. Belize has passed legislation to put an end to all oil activity in its waters to protect the largest barrier reef in the Northern hemisphere and boost sustainable tourism. Regional barrier reef system gets insurance. *New laws bring hope Belize’s WHS could be removed from UNESCO’s in danger list. It was designated by UNESCO in 1996 as one of seven protected areas that combine to form the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System – World Heritage Site. Saving one is impossible without the other. Belize is giving its beleaguered parrotfish, Nassau grouper, and other reef fish a chance to recover from years of overfishing. Belize lies within the hurricane belt and most of the eastern portion of the country is slightly above sea level [20]. Most of you will have heard of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, but have you heard of the Belize Barrier Reef? Oceans A symbol of marine beauty and one of the seven wonders of the natural world , the Great Barrier Reef is a haven for wildlife. According to National Geographic public concerns about the reef heightened after 2011. Situated within the Mesoamerican hotspot, Belize has a high level of terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS or just Belize Barrier Reef) is off Belize’s east coast and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Our Goal is to bring awareness and educate our people to be a great steward of our natural resources, especially to our reef … Rising sea levels and sea temperatures also negatively impact the Barrier Reef system that supports a thriving fisheries and tourism industry in Belize. Oil contracts became illegal due to pressure from the people. In an effort to preserve the reef, Belize has just taken a big step to protect the ocean waters from the effects of oil extraction and exploration by banning oil activities. 3:18 pm CST. As the only country in Central America that is English speaking, Belize offers an easy environment for investors to conduct business without having to deal with a language barrier. Photograph: Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images. The new regulations protect sharks as apex predators of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a World Heritage Site. Glover’s Reef Atoll is one of the three atolls of the Belize Barrier Reef system, the second largest barrier reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.Located off the coast of Belize, the entire reef system measures 185 miles long and is known for its vibrant corals and exotic marine life communities. The Belize Barrier Reef System Reserve has been a UNESCO world heritage site for more than two decades. Protecting the Belize Barrier Reef: As a major contributor to the economy, and the biggest draw for our tourism industry, the Belize Barrier Reef now benefits from a law that prevents it from undergoing Offshore Oil Drilling. The Belizean Barrier Reef is the largest section of the Mesoamerican barrier reef, the biggest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and home to some of the most biologically diverse marine ecosystems on the planet. P. 3 Coral Cultivator: Lisa Carne is helping to rebuild the reef via its coral nurseries program Fragments of Hope. This afternoon a forum was held which explained the importance of these regulations. Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve is a part of the Belize Barrier Reef. Belize’s Barrier Reef World Heritage site has been at risk of irreversible damage, but new laws bring hope it could be removed from UNESCO’s World Heritage in danger list. The largest coral reef in the world is severely threatened by climate change, but researchers are developing strategies that could contribute to saving the Great Barrier Reef. It is the bread and butter of … WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE LAWS OF BELIZE, REVISED EDITION 2000, SHOWING THE LAW AS AT 31ST DECEMBER, 2000. Some 6 million fishermen around the world derive livelihoods from the reefs, particularly in the developing world. The News The Mesoamerican Reef, an underwater wonder world whose survival was considered to be at risk for years, may now be removed from UNESCO’s list of threatened World Heritage Sites, thanks to bold steps to save it by activists and the Belizean government. Nearly 200,000 Belizeans are estimated to rely on the reef for survival. “This is the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere. This beautiful but fragile reef had been threatened by overdevelopment and, most ominously, the prospect of offshore oil. Belize’s legal system and rule of law are firmly rooted in the English Common Law and supplemented by local legislation. The new regulations protect sharks as apex predators of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a World Heritage Site. “The reef remains at risk,” maintains Bood. Protection of our land in Belize began in the early 1920’s when … Mangrove ecosystems protect shorelines and cayes and enhance the resiliency of … The measure was enacted to reduce pollution of Belize’s famed barrier reef … Belize is unique in that 26% of our territories are under some type of protected status with up to 60% of our forest cover intact. Shark fishing will be prohibited within a two nautical mile radius around Lighthouse Reef, Glover’s Reef, and Turneffe Atolls, establishing a safe haven measuring 1,500 square miles. Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes were first … Its Belize became the first country in the world to completely ban bottom trawling in December 2010. In December 2015, Belize banned offshore oil drilling within 1 km of the Barrier Reef. Despite these protective measures, the reef remains under threat from oceanic pollution as well as uncontrolled tourism, shipping,... This natural barrier also saves Belize up to $350 million per year in avoided damage from storms and other natural disasters. This type of reliance is not unique to Belize; 11 million people around the world depend on World Heritage sites. These sites belong to all of us, and together we must remove the dangers they face. Why is the Belize Barrier Reef important? But in the last decade, exploration for oil, development along the coast, and a lack of strong regulations have posed increasing threats to the fragile ecosystem. Along with the lagoons and atolls on either side of the main reef, the collection is known as the “Belize Barrier Reef System.” 9:58 Going Underwater For a World Worth Protecting In 2016, the government banned offshore oil drilling in all its waters. The national government and minister of agriculture and fisheries signed a sweeping set of new laws to protect the country’s extensive coral reefs, considered to be the most pristine in the Western Hemisphere. (Robert Landau/Getty Images) No other state has formally banned sunscreen with harmful chemicals, but Key West, Florida, which is home to the only living coral barrier reef in the States (and the third largest reef in the world, after the Great Barrier and Belize Barrier reefs) took action in early 2019. ), LL.B, LL.M(Legislative Drafting), UWI/OAS Certificate in Legislative … The stunning reefs in Belize’s marine protected areas have supported the country’s tourism industry, particularly in high-value areas like diving. Oceana has worked in Belize for years to protect this unique ocean ecosystem, and now Belizean leaders are taking action. Wrong. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve was established as a marine protected area in 1987 under the Fisheries Act (Statutory Instrument # 57) Laws of Belize. OCEANA Belize – Established by a group of leading foundations in 2001, Oceana is the largest international organization working exclusively to protect and restore the oceans on a global scale. Offshore drilling and oil spills would devastate Belize's Barrier Reef System, diverse marine life, and economy. The Belize Barrier Reef is home to more than 1,400 species of marine life and serves as the country’s main tourist attraction. PEOPLE POWER FUELS PROTECTION FOR BELIZE BARRIER REEF. Belize joins Cuba and Japan in adopting sweeping reforms of their foundational fisheries management laws, all completed since December 2018. Belize, with expanses of dense jungle, craggy mountains, and the Belize Barrier Reef—the largest barrier reef system in the Northern Hemisphere—has long been closely connected to its natural endowments. Belize passes law to protect its reefs 05 January 2018 The government of Belize has passed the law that will put an end to all possibility of oil exploration in its waters. ecological services in terms of shoreline protection and serve as nurseries for reef fish. The Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage, made up of more than 40 environmental, industry and social organizations has been fighting for years to protect the Belize Barrier Reef … According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Belize’s waters are home to 1,400 different species, including 500 types of fish and 100 corals. But since 2009, this precious World Heritage site had been on UNESCO’s ‘in danger’ list. When the Belize Barrier Reef was first tapped for World Heritage status in 1996, both the reef itself and its’ beleaguered inhabitants were saved or preserved thanks to stringent laws and policies put into place to grant absolute protection, punishable by fines and possibly jail time. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest reef on the planet. In fact, the Belize Barrier Reef is home to nearly 1,400 species, from endangered hawksbill turtles to West Indian manatees, sting rays, coral, and six threatened species of sharks. June 28, 2018. The Belize reef system, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1996, is the second-largest reef system in the world—second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Its also home to the phenomenal Great Blue Hole, a natural sinkhole thats more than 400 miles deep. We develop innovative financial mechanisms and productive strategies and … P. 5 Signed by Belize’s minister of fisheries, forestry, environment and sustainable development, Omar Figueroa, a new statutory instrument authorizes the expansion of the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve and protects an important reef ecosystem known as the Corona Reef or Cayman Crown, one of the best preserved reefs in the region. This award winning project is focused on conserving the environment and contributing to ongoing marine research in Belize, working alongside the Belizean government to monitor and protect the reef ecosystem in the Sapodilla Cayes at the tip of Belize Barrier Reef. The fate of Belize is linked to its marine ecosystem. The Belize Barrier Reef is the longest in both the Northern and Western Hemisphere, linking the country’s coastline for almost 140 miles, an extensive wall made up of beautiful, live, coral organisms. The Belize Reef is approximately 180 miles long and is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. If enacted, the law will also help Belize remove itself from the Sites In Danger listing of the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organization (UNESCO). The Belize Barrier Reef — the second largest barrier reef in the world — has just been removed from UNESCO’s “List of World Heritage in Danger,” where it has been listed since 2009. Caye Caulker Forest & Marine Reserve The Marine Reserve is focused on the marine areas, and is divided into the three zones of Preservation, Conservation and General Use. “Belize has set a new standard for coral reef and fisheries protection in the Caribbean.” The first of the new laws will protect parrotfish and other grazers, such as doctor and surgeon fish, which WCS studies have shown keep algae growth in check thus encouraging more growth of corals. DIVE SPOTS CAYE CAULKER MARINE RESERVE, GREAT BLUE HOLE, HALFMOON CAYE, LONG CAYE, TURNEFFE ATOLLOYMPUS E-PL1 + IKLITE PRO V8NOVEMBER 2015 Posted: Tuesday, June 15, 2021. The Belize Barrier Reef, one of, if not THE major source of income for the entire country of Belize, has been in the media for quite some time now. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) is of inestimable value to the Belize tourist industry and a healthy reef is vital to the Belize economy, so the recent report that the overall health of the reef has deteriorated 18% in the two year period 2016 to 2018 is major cause for concern to both the tourism and fisheries sector. Those diverse ecosystems are not only home to an array of flora and fauna, but they also help to sustain people and their communities. Considering that in 2019 travel and tourism contributed nearly 45% of Belize’s GDP, preservation of the barrier reef is essential to the sustainability and growth of this industry. And 15 percent of the country’s gross domestic product comes from the reef—including about $15 million from the commercial fishing industry and about $200 million from tourism activities. It’s time to replaced outdated sunscreens. On the Caribbean Sea and bordered by Guatemala and Mexico, Belize is home to the second-longest Barrier Reef in the world, a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site. –PRESS RELEASE– APAMO WELCOMES BAN BY CABINET TO PROTECT THE LONGEST BARRIER REEF IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. Recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1996, it however did not produce a control in the violation of this wonder. At that time, a people’s referendum was held, whereby 96% of the people voted to protect the reef and deject oil drilling practices. In the United States, for example, 14% of the land is protected. Follow Our Laws. The earliest attempts to protect Belize's reefs focused on the establishment of protected areas. Although a very large portion is protected by the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, protecting 7 marine reserves, 450 cays, and 3 atolls, it is still under great threat. A hostile industry campaign hasn’t stopped the passage of laws to protect the Great Barrier Reef from farm runoff. located about 28 miles, east of Placencia. A large proportion of the country’s mangroves are also intimately inter-connected with the Belize Barrier Reef Complex, the largest coral reef system in the Americas, and the second largest in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (UNESCO 1996). For example, after the container ship Westerhaven ran aground on a reef in January 2009, the government decided to sue for damages—something that had not occurred with past groundings. Belize is home to spectacular biodiversity on land and at sea. The principal reason for this is that it lies directly on top of the Belize Barrier Reef. Swim in areas with incredible underwater vistas that are home to a variety of marine life, including turtles, dolphins and tropical reef fish. Reef systems help shield The Belize Barrier Reef is the country’s biggest tourist attraction, contributing up to $237 million a year to its economy. The law was welcomed by local and international NGOs, including the… The second largest coral reef system is the Belize Barrier Reef , which is a 300 kilometres long section of the 900 kilometres long Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. Background Belize, a Central American country, is home to the… One of the most biodiverse systems on the planet, reefs are home to roughly a quarter of all marine species. The reef provides clean air and water, food, jobs, protection and cultural identity to Belizeans. Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef [toc] What Australia is doing to manage the Great Barrier Reef We all have a common goal—protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef for current and future generations. Belize Barrier Reef, coral reef that is second in size after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and is the largest of its kind in the Northern and Western hemispheres. Mission Statement "Green Reef is a non-profit, non-governmental membership organization dedicated to the protection of the environment and for the conservation of the Belize Barrier Reef and the associated marine environment in order to maintain the integrity of the ecosystems for the benefit of all humans." The members of the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage congratulates all members of the National Assembly and the Senate on this historic and rare show of unanimous support. Like most of the rest of the world, The system includes about 370 square miles of protected area. The Belize Barrier Reef is home to 1,400 species, including endangered hawksbill turtles, manatees, rays and six threatened species of shark. Belize Moratorium on offshore oil exploration and the Mesoamerican coral reef conservation On December 29, the government of Belize voted a law to impose an indefinite moratorium on offshore oil drilling and exploration to protect its coral reefs, the biggest in the Western hemisphere. Belize government imposes moratorium to protect world's second largest reef. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is not just coral reef; it is also made up of seven protect areas, three atolls, and those 450 cayes. It incorporates the southernmost marine and coastal areas of Ambergris Caye including the barrier reef, seagrass beds and the mangrove islands of Boca Chica and Cangrejo Shoals. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as the hundreds of thousands of citizens who depend upon the reef for survival will benefit alongside hundreds of millions of denizens of the 200-mile ecosystem, itself a section of the 560-mile Mesoamerican Barrier Reef traversing the eastern coast of Central America. The Minister of Environment signed into law the Environmental Protection (Pollution from Plastics) Resolution, which will phase out single-use plastics, including shopping bags, food utensils, and Styrofoam. Hiring a professional guide with a government license is the best way to ensure you’re following the rules. This initiative would protect 30% of the world ocean by 2030 while helping to protect marine wildlife. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Great Belize has approved a plan to set aside nearly 12 percent of its territorial waters as a protected area, more than doubling the size of existing reserves in the world's second largest barrier reef. The purpose of the evaluation is to get Belize’s Reef System off the World Heritage Site’s endangered category. It is home to more than 150 species of mammals, 540 of birds, 150 of amphibians and reptiles, nearly 600 species of freshwater and marine fish and 3,408 species of vascular plants. Visit for the coral-made islands, more than 500 species of fish, and the “Great Blue Hole,” a famed diving spot that’s nearly 1,000 feet deep” states the article. The Australian and Queensland governments are jointly investing approximately $200 million annually in the reef’s health. You will be happy to know that, unlike many other popular tourism destinations, the tap water in your hotel is pure and delicious. So how did Belize do it? The threat of offshore oil was just one of the factors that landed the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System on the list. *WWF and Oceana welcome the move to Below the waves, there is a fascinating world filled with a huge variety of species – and better still, it is thought that only 10% of that flora and fauna have been discovered. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is one interconnected system comprised of seven marine protected areas located along the length of the barrier reef, the shelf lagoon and offshore atolls. It’s important to follow Belize’s fishing laws. The country contains a vast array of ecosystems, many of which are critical habitats for threatened and endangered species. Here is a video that showcases how beautiful and gorgeous the Belize Barrier Reef is: * Most Belizean hotels, resorts, and private homes obtain water for drinking and washing from cisterns that trap rainwater. Drones Join the Human Effort to Protect the Belize Barrier Reef! Belize is well known for its incredible biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine. June 29, 2018. … Coral reefs are important for many different reasons. Shark fishing will be prohibited within a two nautical mile radius around Lighthouse Reef, Glover’s Reef, and Turneffe Atolls. The reef is 180 miles long with about 980 feet offshore distance in the north to 25 feet in the south. *Tourism brings in around US$182 to $237m a year, so the health of the reef – Belize’s biggest attraction – is vital to the country’s future. The Government of Belize announced its intention to impose a permanent ban on offshore oil exploration along the Belizean Barrier Reef System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Barrier reefs, like fringing reefs, run parallel to the coastline but are separated from land by a deeper, wider body of water. The Belize Barrier Reef is one of four types of coral reefs: fringing, barrier, atolls and patch. Enjoy inviting warm and clear waters around the atoll, where you will often see the bottom of the sandy sea beds. Alegria told us that the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. saving and protecting belize’s barrier reef Paddling to Protect Belize’s Barrier Reef and Marine Ecosystem is a Non-Profit Organization, better known as Paddle to Protect Belize’s Ecosystems. REVISED BY Mr. Elson Kaseke, BL(Hons. December 3, 2015–BELMOPAN–The Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations, APAMO, applauds the decision by Cabinet demonstrating government’s resolve to ensuring the continued protection of the Belize Barrier Reef System and in … Belize becomes a world leader in ocean protection by ending oil activity in its waters. The reef is home to some 1,400 different species of wildlife including manatees, rays, marine turtles, six threatened shark species and the American marine crocodile. A World Heritage Site since 1996, the fragile reef is so much more than the possibility of oil. This week Unesco, the United Nation’s scientific and cultural agency, removed the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, part of the 600-mile long MesoAmerican Reef … Friday, July 22nd, 2016. ... enforcement of environmental protection laws is unfortunately still necessary, and the drones promise a cost effective and efficient way to do this. The Belize Barrier Reef is home to almost 1,400 species, including the endangered hawksbill turtle, manatees and six threatened species of shark. Coastline Protection: the barrier reef and coastal mangroves provide significant protection against the impacts of tropical storms and hurricanes, protecting property and infrastructure, as well as lives. As it comes to Earthly features, Belize appears to be amongst the most fortunate fisheries in the world. The Marine reserve protected area covers approximately 25,980 acres, home to about 24 species of Fish. The Great Blue Hole is on most scuba divers' bucket lists, and was named by Jacques Cousteau as one of the top five diving … Conservation in Belize. A bluehead wrasse in the Belize Barrier Reef, part of the world's second-largest coral reef system. Since declaring independence in 1981, Belize has enacted many environmental protection laws aimed at the preservation of the country's natural and cultural heritage, as well as its wealth of natural resources. Influenced by WRI’s Coastal Capital: Belize — an economic valuation of the nation’s coral reefs - the government of Belize took momentous steps over the past 18 months to protect this unique ecosystem. Protect Habitat. The enactment of this law will put in place a strong foundation for effective fisheries management, including approaches that will work to protect coral reef ecosystems in the face of climate change. They provide a buffer to protect the shoreline from waves, storms, and floods. Belize’s territory is right on the border between the rainforest and the reef. However, dependence on rainwater also means dependence on the weather cycle. Considering the economic contribution of Belize's barrier reef to its economy (US $150 million/year) [20], continued negative impacts can and will have devastating impacts on the Belizean economy. Read more On Thursday, July 7th, various entities dedicated to the important work of preserving and protecting Belize’s natural heritage presented the Belize Barrier Reef scorecard for 2016. Stay on Turneffe Atoll, one of only three atolls inside the Belize Barrier Reef. With the Petroleum Operations (Offshore Zone Moratorium) Bill 2017 passed, the Belize Barrier Reef is off limits to offshore oil drilling, and its people rejoice. The aim of this project is to help protect and conserve marine life along the coast of Belize. Belize Barrier Reef environmental issues may reduce even more as Belize is one of the first countries to join the Global Ocean Alliance 30by30 initiative. Protecting and Preserving the Belize Barrier Reef – it’s law!