Government signs agreement to protect 17 thousand acres at Turneffe Atoll

The Government of Belize has signed a major conservation agreement aimed at permanently protecting approximately seventeen thousand acres of nationally significant land at Turneffe Atoll.  The Turneffe Conservation Land Trust Deed of Mutual Release, Compromise and Settlement was signed this afternoon in the Black Orchid Room at the Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza.  Opening the event, Senator Christopher Coye said the agreement ensures the land remains under government ownership while being protected in perpetuity for the benefit of the Belizean people. He said it will also strengthen the protection of important marine habitats and support Belize’s blue economy, including fishers, tour guides, hotels and other families who depend on the country’s flats fishery.  The agreement also provides two-point-two million dollars to the University of Belize to establish a marine research facility at Turneffe Atoll. The facility is expected to support scientific research, train future Belizean marine scientists and create partnerships with universities and research institutions overseas.  Doctor Craig Hayes, who established the Turneffe Flats Resort in 1981, has spent decades advocating for the protection of the area. Hayes, who also serves on the Board of the Turneffe Atoll Trust, spoke about the importance of securing the atoll’s future.

During a brief ceremony this afternoon, Prime Minister John Briceño delivered the keynote address. He noted that today’s agreement is the result of years of negotiations, discussions and careful work among the parties involved.

John Briceño, Prime Minister: “That is not just a regular official signing ceremony but this is legacy building where the government has partnered with TASA and the Turneffe Atoll Trust to be able to find a way how we can protect these seventeen thousand acres of mangrove forest in Turneffe and so when we got into government this was already signed by the previous government but in their haste there were certain legal issues that we needed to correct. And I want to really thank Dr. Craig Hayes for not giving up and to be able to sit down with us and find how we can make changes and improve on it but never lose sight of what it’s all about. It’s about conservation. They made a deposit on the land, I think it’s about $2.2 million and since it has been removed from the original trust fund to another trust that is being managed and owned by Belizeans in the discussions then they came up with the idea of instead of getting cheque or a refund to use that money to be able to use that money to help the University of Belize to set up a marine research facility in the area. So it’s a win win and It’s really really exciting.”

Representing the Chair of the University of Belize, Godfrey Smith, was the President, Vincent Palacio who delivered the closing remarks.