Government Suspends Dredging at Will Bauer Flats Following Protests

The government has listened to concerns raised by a group of southern fishermen and the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) who called for a halt to the dredging being conducted at Will Bauer Flats, on the Placencia coast. The BTV alleges that the dredging is causing harm to the marine life in the area, and compromising the livelihoods of the fishermen who depend on the area’s viability. Our newsroom understands that after learning of the concerns, the government moved to suspend dredging in the area. BTV Leader, Wil Maheia, says the group felt it was important to lend its voice to the fishermen of the coastal community.

Wil Maheia, Leader, Belize Progressive Party: “Yeah we at the Belize Territorial Volunteers we stand in solidarity with the fishermen of Placencia. We find it ridiculous that the government is allowing dredging inside the barrier reef on some of those flats. They need to realize that those flats bring in over $100 million dollars into the Belizean economy every year and when you destroy the flats you’re destroying the food for the fishermen. I just want to call in the government to put a stop order to the dredging immediately.”

A group of several dozen fishermen is opposing the Department of Environment’s Decision to permit dredging in the area.