Cayo Rosario

The turquoise waters around Cayo Rosario sparkle with life and beauty. It is part of Belize’s Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a place many consider sacred ground for biodiversity, fishing, and tourism. So when an overwater development project was approved inside the reserve and commenced construction, it sparked national outrage. How could something so destructive be allowed in one of our most treasured marine protected areas?

The stop order issued to halt construction on a tourism development at Cayo Rosario, a small mangrove island off the northwest coast of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, located within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, remains in effect. The Central Building Authority (CBA) confirmed on Wednesday, May 21st, that the directive is still active. The stop order cites several structures erected on the island without the necessary permits.

On Monday, May 19th, the Belize Flats Fishery Association (BFFA) held a press conference in Belize City, calling on the Government of Belize to urgently intervene in the ongoing degradation of Belize’s vital mangrove forests, fishing flats, and other marine ecosystems. BFFA members and supporters highlighted their continuing opposition to tourism developments at Cayo Rosario, off the northeast coast of Ambergris Caye, and Sandfly Caye in southern Belize, projects they say pose severe environmental threats.

A stop order has been issued to halt the construction of a development on Cayo Rosario, a small island off the northwest coast of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, which is located within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. This directive to pause construction came from the Central Building Authority (CBA), which, in a formal note, mentioned that several structures had been built on the island without the necessary permits.

On Tuesday, March 25th, a powerful and peaceful protest took place in the waters surrounding Cayo Rosario, a small island located within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve off the northwest coast of Ambergris Caye, Belize. Over 30 boats gathered for a united demonstration against the proposed dredging of the seabed and the construction of over-the-water structures, which have been contentious issues for years.

The Government of Belize (GOB) has recently acquired ownership of Angelfish Caye, also known as Will Bauer Flats, located off the coast of Placencia in South Belize. This acquisition is part of an effort to promote marine environmental conservation and support the expansion of the Belize Barrier Reef as a national park and protected area, all to ensure sustainable use. The previous owners of Angel Fish LLC will be compensated for the acquisition and have been asked to submit their compensation claims to the Chief Land Acquisition Officer at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining in Belmopan, Belize.

A public meeting, a crucial step in the process, was held on Thursday, May 23rd, at the Lions Den to discuss the possibility of expanding the current boundaries of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. This Municipal Boundaries Re-Delineation Exercise campaign, led by the Department of Local Government, is being held across the seven towns in the country. The aim is to engage the local communities, recognizing their importance in shaping the future of their town, especially in areas where there are no readily distinguishable boundaries or traditional boundary lines are not definitive. The session saw many island residents voicing their opinions about the project and suggesting ideas for its successful implementation, emphasizing the significance of their input.

To show solidarity with fly fishers across the country and to continue sending a strong message against developments threatening their livelihoods, a group of fly-fishing guides held a peaceful protest in front of Cayo Rosario on Wednesday, May 15th. Cayo Rosario is a small island within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Zone IV off the west coast of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The surrounding area is home to some of the best fly-fishing areas in the country, but a proposed tourist resort on the small island is of concern to many as it could disrupt their fishing grounds. Fly fishers on Ambergris Caye depend on this sports fishing activity involving the three protected species of bonefish, permit, and tarpon.