The Belize government says it has signed the Turneffe Conservation Land Trust Deed of Mutual Release, Compromise, and Settlement agreement allowing for approximately 17,000 acres to remain as national lands under public ownership.
It said that the agreement represents the successful transformation of an earlier accord between the government and the Turneffe Atoll Trust and that it will not be holding the lands in an irrevocable conservation trust for the benefit of the people of Belize. Turneffe Atoll is the largest coral atoll in Belize and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, located about 20 miles off the coast of Belize City. Measuring 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, this protected marine reserve is famous for world-class scuba diving, saltwater fly-fishing, and rich biodiversity.
‘The signing marks an important milestone in safeguarding Turneffe Atoll as part of Belize’s natural heritage, while creating opportunities for conservation, science, sustainable livelihoods, and responsible development for future generations,’ the government said in a statement.
The agreement provides for the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA) to play an important role in the management of the lands, while maintaining the continued participation of the Turneffe Atoll Trust.
‘This collaborative approach brings together the Government and conservation partners already working to safeguard Turneffe Atoll and its natural resources. The agreement further strengthens the protection of three essential flats-fishing habitats within the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve,’ the statement said.
It said these habitats support Belize’s multi-million-dollar flats-fishing industry and species such as bonefish, permit, and tarpon, while sustaining guides, tourism operators, communities, and businesses across the country.
‘These lands remain Belizean lands. They remain under public ownership. And they are being secured permanently for present and future generations of Belizeans. May this agreement mark the beginning of an even stronger era of conservation, science, sustainable livelihoods, and responsible development at Turneffe Atoll,’ said Prime Minister John Briceño as he underscored the significance of the agreement for Belize’s conservation and development priorities.
Through the agreement, BZ$2.2 million(One BZ$=US$0.49 cents) is being secured to support the establishment of a marine research facility at Turneffe Atoll through the University of Belize. The Turneffe Atoll Trust has also committed to assisting the University in mobilizing up to approximately five million dollars in additional funding for marine research.
The proposed facility is expected to support marine science and long-term monitoring, university education and field training, fisheries and ecosystem research, climate and blue-carbon science, international research partnerships, and innovation supporting Belize’s growing blue economy.