Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine - December 2017

Caribbean ECO-News
Pelicans Re-Established Post-Hurricane on St. Maarten
During a post-hurricane ecological assessment in October, the Sint Maarten
Nature Foundation recorded the re-establishment of breeding colonies of the National
Symbol of Sint Maarten, the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis).
DECEMBER 2017 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 10
CLIMATE.AUDUBON.ORG
After the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September, the Nature
Foundation assessed the monitored breeding colonies for the Brown Pelican and
found that some 40 breeding pairs were absent. However, Nature Foundation manager
Tadzio Bervoets reports: “[In October] we returned to the site and to our surprise
we found that the majority of breeding pairs had re-established themselves, with
numerous nests being laid and eggs being brooded. After the storms we encountered
numerous pelicans that sustained serious injury, many of which had their necks
broken. We also lost about two dozen nests at the site, so you can imagine how
happy we were to see that the colony re-established itself.”
The Sint Maarten Nature Foundation has been monitoring the Divi Little Bay
breeding colony since 2010 as a part of its pelican monitoring program. The Brown
Pelican is a key indicator species for the health of the marine environment.
Read the full story at http://today.sx/environment/nature-foundation-recordsreturn-sint-maarten-national-symbol-brown-pelican
Belize Protects Rays, Proposes Offshore Oil Moratorium
In October, the government of Belize established the first-ever nationwide ray sanctuary.
Although there are shark sanctuaries in some parts of the world, few include rays,
and prior to the Belize announcement, none were specifically for rays. Globally, rays are
threatened with extinction due largely to overfishing, habitat loss and climate change.
They are even more at risk than sharks.
Belize is home to the world’s second largest
barrier reef. More than 20 species of
rays are known to populate the waters
along Belize, ranging from tiny yellow
round rays to large manta rays. The critically
endangered smalltooth sawfish and
endangered Ticon cownose ray are also
believed to be in Belize waters.
In another step to protect its sealife and
marine environment, Belize has introduced
legislation regarding an indefinite moratorium
on offshore oil drilling in its marine
territory. If enacted, the law will also help
Belize remove itself from the Sites In Danger
listing of the United Nations Educational
and Scientific Organization (UNESCO). The
threat of offshore oil drilling was just one of
the factors that landed the Belize Barrier
Reef Reserve System on the list.
As reported by Oceana.org, according to
economic valuations conducted by the World
Resources Institute in 2009, every year
Belize’s coastal and marine ecosystems contribute
more than a billion dollars to the
national economy through just three goods
and services: tourism, fisheries, and coastal
and shoreline protection. In the wake of the
Gulf of Mexico oil disaster in 2010, Belizeans
learnt that their entire offshore area had
been parceled out and sold as concessions
to oil companies. After an attempt to trigger
an official referendum by Oceana and the other members of the Belize Coalition to Save
Our Natural Heritage was derailed, in February 2012 some 30,000 citizens participated
in the groups’ unofficial vote dubbed “The People’s Referendum”. More than 96
percent of participants voted against offshore oil activity.
A legal challenge by Oceana and other members of the Belize Coalition in 2012 rendered
all oil concessions null and void. In June 2015, the Government declared that a
“policy based” moratorium was in place. But when seismic testing was secretly approved
without an Environmental Impact Assessment, public backlash led to the studies being
immediately suspended in October 2016 and subsequently cancelled in January 2017.
In August, in response to calls to ensure transparency in the decision-making process
regarding offshore oil activity, Belize’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, publicly
committed to introducing legislation to enshrining an indefinite moratorium.
“The Belize Barrier Reef isn’t just irreplaceable, it’s vital to Belize’s future. We are
heartened by the introduction of this legislation, which will help protect both wildlife
and livelihoods. Coming just a year after oil testing near the reef was stopped due to
a public outcry, it shows Belize’s government is listening to its people,” says WWF
Reef Scientist and Climate Change Officer, Nadia Bood.
Read the full story at http://oceana.org/press-center/press-releases/belize-makeshistory-introducing-offshore-oil-moratorium-legislation
WIKIMEDIA.ORG
Home to the world’s second largest barrier
reef, Belize takes big steps to protect
its sealife and marine environment
Oil Boom Poses Risks for Guyana’s Marine Environment
Within this decade Guyana, one of South America’s poorest nations, could be among
its richest, noted Professor Anthony T. Bryan at www.thestkittsnevisobserver.com.
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