Act now or forever lose our reef!
Capstone Project by Marleni Cuellar, May 2017
Marleni Cuellar is a news anchor and reporter with News 5 Live in Belize. In this photo essay, she takes on the role of an advocate for the Belize Barrier Reef system, curating images and information that covers threats to the system as well as efforts to keep these threats at bay.
While Belize has never held the distinction of hosting THE GREAT Barrier Reef, you certainly cannot tell any Belizean that our Barrier Reef is not THE GREATEST.
Jump out of a plane? Why not, with this view off the coast of Ambergris Caye. It is perhaps the second best way to view the magnificent Barrier Reef. (Photo: Marleni Cuellar)
The view from above has to come second when an underwater perspective offers an up-close encounter with colorful fish like these. (Photo: Henry Brown)
The Belize Barrier Reef System lies about 300 yards off the shore of the mainland. It spans the entire length of the country: about 180 miles long.
This outstanding ecosystem was formed over hundreds of years and is the longest living reef in the world.
It’s a natural haven for marine life including threatened species.
In 1996, it earned the distinction as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
But this distinction is at risk. Since 2009, the Belize Barrier Reef System is listed as a World Heritage Site in Danger. Knowing all the benefits that the reef provides us, we should all be very concerned.
The Benefits of the Belize Barrier Reef
Tourists from all over the world travel to Belize for our many attractions. In 2016 alone, there were over a million cruise ship passengers and the overnight tourist count increased by nineteen thousand visitors.
The industry been steadily growing, attracting more and more cruise as well as overnight tourists each passing year.
One of the biggest attractions for people who visit the country is, of course, the reef. Eco-tours--specifically snorkeling and diving--are two of the top activities that tourists seek when traveling to Belize.
Sharing this submerged gem is crucial to our economy, as tourism is the top income generator for the country and also the top foreign exchange earner.
The tourism industry contributes a whopping 29% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P.).
The Barrier Reef creates a protective haven for over 500 species of fish, and is home to a number of threatened marine species.
Belize proudly boasts the largest population of West Indian Manatees: a population of just about a thousand.
When it comes to seafood, there is a lucrative export market for lobster and other fisheries products which are important to our economy.
Did you know that Belize actually exports lobster that you may consume at the very popular Red Lobster?
By its name alone, we are reminded of one of the lesser recognized blessings of our reef: That it serves as a protective barrier.
The Belize Barrier Reef is located offshore and, along with the mangrove cayes, it protects our shorelines, our infrastructure and people from erosion and from even more devastating effects of tropical storms and hurricanes.
RELATED: Mangrove reforestation and preservation in Belize coastal areas
Visiting surfers may not be so happy, but I'd say it’s fair trade off. Our coast is not completely spared of erosion as these pics of Monkey River and other southern coastline communities still battle to minimize erosion.
The Belize Barrier Reef is inextricably linked to Belizeans’ perception of heritage and culture. Even in our multicultural society, we all share a great pride in the ecosystem, showcasing its rich beauty in just about any way we can. It’s not uncommon for carnival costumes and event pageant costumes to depict the beauty of the reef.
Now, one would think that with all the blessings that the Barrier Reef provides, we would do all we can to protect it. Sadly, that is not the case. Threats to this delicate ecosystem are real and persistent.
Why? Unfortunately, the answer is very simple: money. While at this point, there is an ongoing campaign to persuade the Belizean government to ban offshore oil exploration, it still remains one of the major threats to this magnificent reef system.
The “Say NO to Offshore Oil Drilling Campaign” was initiated in 2012 after it was revealed that there were concessions (contracts) blocking off the entire reef for possible oil exploration.
There have been some gains in the battle because the message is unchanged. Belizeans do not want to sacrifice our reef for short term gains from an oil discovery.
In 2012, as a part of the “Say NO to Offshore Drilling Campaign,” environmentalists created the map above to show what a spill the size of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico would look like over Belize.
As a nation, we are not entirely blameless when it comes to the threats to our reef. Specific marine resources in Belize are regulated. Despite continuous education on seasonal fishing and size requirements, there will still be those who completely ignore the rules.
This (above) is the seizure of undersized conch and out-of-season lobster. The fishermen – who were not first time offenders – were ordered by the court to pay a fine or face jail time.
Like a whitewash over once vibrant pink purple and blue coral; bleaching is caused by rising sea temperatures and has been a problem affecting the reef for some time.
While it is not a problem exclusive to Belize, the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and warmer waters, do adversely affect the health of the coral systems in the reef.
Coral bleaching has been well documented across the expanse of the reef and continues to warn us that climate change is real.
The environmental community in Belize has long called for a sustainable approach to development within protected areas. Whereas there has been a moderate attempt to protect the riches we hold in natural resources, it doesn’t necessarily limit the requests from investors to maximize the beauty of Belize with developments that either out-rightly jeopardize the reef system of indirectly cause harm to the reef.
Gladly, a project to build a private airstrip on a reef system has suffered a natural death, but the reef is still severely affected by waste water from agricultural developments and irresponsible seamen.
So what have we been doing about it?
Over the years, environmentalists have been able to garner much support from individual interest groups and the wider public to join in their different causes.
In November 2016, environmental organizations along with the tourism sector successfully advocated for the halt of an already scheduled offshore seismic survey by TGS in Belizean waters.
Advocacy, coupled with grassroots community educational outreach and a sustained media sensitization campaign, has been effective in keeping all Belizeans in the loop.
Innovative plans and partnerships
Belize has established environmental agencies and policies to better manage the protection of our natural resources, especially the barrier reef.
Co-management agreements as well as non-governmental and government agencies collectively work to protect this magnificent resource.
In February 2016, Belize adopted the Innovative Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan. But, as reported by Channel 5, Belize Audubon Society’s Amanda Burgos stated, “we have mentioned the Integrated Coastal Zone management Plan and the fact that that policy is now Cabinet endorsed, but it’s difficult to enforce it, so it needs some kind of legal teeth. So the work continues.”
When it comes to over-fishing resources, no one knows better about the effects than the traditional fishers. That's why, when attempting to get fishers on board with sustainable fishing practices, they were the most obvious and willing partners.
The managed access program helps fishers not only practice sustainable fishing, but also oversee themselves to ensure that the right fishing practices are being utilized in their specific communities.
Another great initiative that has become an essential tool in monitoring progress of the protection and preservation of the reef is the Reef Report Card conducted by the Healthy Reef for Healthy People Initiative.
It allows for an in-depth analysis of the progress and challenges found within the reef system produced two years.
The data is not only collected but shared with the public so we can all know how effective we are in maintaining this resource.
The 2015 Reef Report Card highlighted Belize’s effectiveness in research and policy, but indicated that there needs to be better management of agricultural runoff, wastewater and pollution.
You can find the past three report cards here.
What can we do? (If you read nothing else on this photo essay, read this)!
In 2012, Belizeans proved they could show up and speak up when over thirty thousand registered voters participated in the People’s Referendum. An overwhelming number, 96% of participants, voted against offshore oil exploration.
Even with the resounding “NO” to offshore drilling, the Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage is still advocating for a total ban on offshore exploration.
This is why Belizeans must stay involved and up to date with the decisions of leaders and ensure that we keep up the pressure.
Volunteering with environmental groups can go a long way. You can even start your own community environmental group to keep education and advocacy efforts on the front burner.
It’s unbelievable that so many Belizeans who hold so much pride for our reef system have never even been close to it.
If you can make it out to Caye Caulker or one of the closer cayes, go the added distance and book a snorkeling tour at the reef. This year alone, there are eight trips being organized through a group of environmental agencies to encourage Belizeans to Explore Belize’s World Heritage Sites.
Here’s a list of on Facebook with the dates. Find the time and GO!
Last year I took my mother on a Belize Audubon Society Trip to Half Moon Caye and the Blue Hole: in her early 70s it was her first time there!
When you’ve seen the true beauty that we possess in our own country, will you be driven to share in its protection? The threats are real, and we all need a firsthand experience of what’s really at stake.
Curb those bad behaviors and develop even better ones.
Yes, we’d all love to enjoy our favorite seafood whenever we like. I mean, it could be considered a God-given right as natives of the tropics; but, closed seasons serve a purpose.
These regulations, are put in place to ensure that we can have grouper, lobster and our beloved conch in the future. Otherwise, we risk wiping out entire species of foods we love.
So, do not fish out of season and do not purchase or consume undersized catch when you know the season is closed.
Know the seasons and do your part!
Conch Season closes July 1st to September 30th
Lobster Season closes February 15th to June 14th
Nassau Grouper closes December 1st to March 31st
Ambergriscaye.com has a full list of seasons & fisheries regulations; here’s a helpful poster.
Lionfish (Photo: Sean Kuylen)
Cooking lionfish (Photo: Sean Kuylen)
You can also develop a new favorite seafood for the off-season, like lionfish! This invasive species is the real enemy of the reef and one that has been hard to contain.
The only way to beat it is to eat it! Maybe you can even be lucky enough to have Belize’s top chef Sean Kuylen prepare it in a meal.
This one may seem a little far-fetched: Did you know that in March of this year New Zealand granted a river the legal rights of a human?
It took the Maori Tribe over 100 years of legal battles to achieve this great victory.
For the rest of the world; it means the possibility exists to allow for the legal protection of a natural resource as we would a fellow citizen; just the way we are protected from any type of harm, this river system is as well.
Gerrard Albert, lead negotiator for the Whanganui (also the name of the river) tribe, is quoted by The Guardian as saying after the historic victory:
“Rather than us being the masters of the natural world, we are part of it. We want to live like that is our starting point. And that is not anti-development, or anti-economic use of the river but to begin with the view that it is a living being, and then consider its future from that central belief.”
Truth be told, having read about the Whanganui in New Zealand prompted the concept of this photo essay. Why not? Because beyond the dollar value of the Belize Barrier Reef, this system is a part of our identity as Belizeans and should have the fullest protection of the laws in the country and if that means that it’s give the equal rights to protection as me as a human: Well, I'm good with that!
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