#DEFENDCAYOROSARIO
JOIN US TO PROTECT BELIZE’S HOL CHAN MARINE RESERVE
SAY NO TO DREDGING AND OVER THE WATER STRUCTURES IN OUR MARINE RESERVE!!!
HOL CHAN MARINE RESERVE IS FOR ALL, NOT FOR INDIVIDUAL PROFIT!!!
“The proposed development is totally inappropriate for this location…. There is zero doubt that it will cause serious harm to the area fishery and to the overall flats ecosystem that surrounds the island.”
- Jim Klug, Director of Operations, Yellow Dog Fly Fishing
“The development plan is ill-conceived, not appropriate for these habitats, and will damage the economically and culturally important flats fishery.”
- Dr Aaron Adams, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust
Belize is home to the second longest barrier reef in the world. This diverse and delicate eco-system needs our help now more than ever, not only for the marine life but for the people of Belize. Our coastal economy is reliant on our reef and these waters.
In 2015, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Belize’s most visited marine reserve was expanded to include over 135 sq miles of shoals, wetlands, mangrove cayes and expansive flats. The purpose of the expansion was to forever preserve an invaluable nursery for our Belize Barrier reef and vital habitat for the prized and protected permit, tarpon and bonefish.
This reserve is now in imminent danger with a recently approved development project on and around tiny Cayo Rosario (Rosary Caye “Key”). The government of Belize has approved both large scale dredging and massive over-the-water construction around the small island. The pristine flats around Rosario are some of the finest permit flats in the country. The fly fishing industry directly and indirectly supports 1000’s of jobs on Ambergris Caye and attracts many more visitors to the island each year.
Stand with the guides & the people of Ambergris Caye to say NO to destructive dredging and over-the-water development in Belize’s Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
Take Action and Speak Out!!!
Voice your opposition by e-mailing the following:
Join These Businesses, Groups and Organizations in Their Opposition to Development of Cayo Rosario:
Donate Now to Support Our Efforts
Donate to the ACCSD and Defend Cayo Rosario Through Our Partners at ELaw
Please note that a small percentage of your donation will go to Elaw for administrative costs.
Help Spread the Word!!!
Follow us on Instagram at: @DefendCayoRosario!
We stand with the guides, businesses and people of Ambergris Caye to say NO to dredging and NO to over-the-water structures in Belize's Hol Chan Marine Reserve #DefendCayoRosario #Sustainability #Belize
Further Reading
Department of Environment - THE EIA
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Monumental Expansion of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, February, 2015
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San Pedro Scoop: Cayo Rosario: Why This Development Should NOT Happen, November 2016
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Authorities Won't Confirm if Cayo Rosario Project has Been Approved
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Government Denies Information on Cayo Rosario Development, Sept 19, 2018
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Who Is Pushing for Cayo Rosario Development with So Many Against It? Aug 31, 2018
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Contact Us
A Huge Thank You to:
Sean Murphy, Jim Klug, Karen Brodie, Clint McNeil, Alexandra McNeil, Rebecca Coutant, MJ Leslie, Omar Arceo and Columbia Sportswear for photographs.
Richard Blanco / “Slackertide” for DefendCayoRosario logo.
Kristin Craig /428 Designs for website design.