Caribbean News
Belize takes ground breaking stand, ‘No’ to oil activity in Barrier Reef
#Belize, January 22, 2018 – Dive tourism gets extra protection in Belize after lawmakers approve a measure to ban oil activity in its barrier reef. One news report says it is hailed as a huge step forward in protecting oceans and marine life. The fragile Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest in the world, behind Australia and it is teeming with life, home to 1,400 species, including endangered Hawksbill turtles, manatees, rays and six threatened species of shark.
Environmentalists are saluting Prime Minister Dean Barrow for the moratorium which also marks the first time a developing country has taken such a major step to protect its oceans from oil exploration and extraction.
Photo credit: Chaa Creek