The Belize Flats Fishery Association (BFFA) is a non-profit group in Belize, a country that has long been a beacon of environmental conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Our nation has strived to protect our unique ecosystems not only for the benefit of our people, but also for those who wish to experience the beauty and bounty of Mother Nature. However, in recent times, we have seen an alarming shift towards exploitation and destruction.

One such instance is the increasing number of coastal development projects that are wreaking havoc on our habitats. In this case, development at Angelfish Caye known as ‘Will Bauer Flats’ located within the shoals of South Water Caye Marine Reserve. This reserve is one of seven protected areas which forms part of the Belize Barrier Reef System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The project is set to build a high-end "Eco-Resort" and Private Residential Complex at the expense of destroying flats habitats associated to seagrass, corals, mangroves by extracting 16 thousand cubic yards of sediments from the ocean floor. 

These projects displace flats fishing guides - individuals who rely on these areas for their economic income - while also negatively impacting other fisheries such as small-scale fisheries and recreational tourism that depend on healthy ecosystems.

It is crucial to raise awareness about this issue among the public, government bodies, and conservation organizations. Education is key in understanding how these developments are not just destroying habitats but also affecting livelihoods. 

Based on studies of 2013 and 2022, flats habitats in Belize generate between 56 to 120 US million dollars, provide about 2,100 to 4,558 jobs and represents 6 to 6.7% of Gross Domestic Product. Also, according to data from The World Bank (2017), small-scale fisheries contribute significantly to food security in developing countries like ours; they provide jobs for over 90% of the world's capture fishers. Yet these same communities are often overlooked when it comes to development planning. 

Belize’s rich natural resources, conservation culture, diverse ethnic groups were key and provided enough justification to settle its international depth in November 2021. This shows a consensus on the importance of conservation and ecosystems but there is the need to acknowledge and address the root problems that threaten sustainability and long-term standings and commitments in project like that of the Blue Bonds for Ocean Conservation Project, Marine Spatial Planning (now the Belize Sustainable Ocean Plan), Project Finance for Permanence and a Blue Economic model. Such conservation projects, models and development projects should not allow any more destruction of habitats and ecosystems to prevent negative effects on coastal livelihoods and long-term national economic gain. After all, it is not about the expansion of protection but measures that reduce the loss of protected space to avoid loss in value.

We must stop this cycle before it's too late. It is time we put pressure on decision-makers, conservation projects and economic and investment models to reconsider that these harmful coastal development projects threaten both our environment and economy.

Please sign this petition today so together we can ensure Belize remains a model for environmental stewardship while safeguarding livelihoods dependent on its rich natural resources.