Last year the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute through the Ministry of Natural Resources implemented a $10 fee for cruise ship passengers who use Goff's Caye. Since then some tour operators wishing not to pay the fees have had to find alternate destinations. One such find is Sergeant's Caye a small quarter acre swatch of sand rising from the Caribbean blue that is a prime recreational spot. It is free and open usage, which makes it a sure thing for deal hunting tour operators. But now, one operator claims, free and open use is turning to wanton abuse. Alfonso Noble has the story.
Alfonso Noble Reporting, Email - [alfnoble@yahoo.com]
Sergeant's Caye is only a small mound of sand in the vast expanse of the Caribbean Sea. Looking at it, the only remarkable thing is its natural allure. This and its proximity to the cruise tourist hub in the city has led tour operators to the islet for visitor to enjoy the sun sea and surf of a tropical paradise. But that paradise is now in danger of being lost, as the fragile patch of sand is being threatened.
Tom Greenwood, FECTAB President
"We received reports from some of our members who traditionally have used Goff's Caye, and continue using Goff's Caye working closely with the Coastal Zone Management paying fees and all that because we need to work together-public and private sector, that there was a group out here, about 20 to 25 people, actually doing work on the island. We came and had a look at the place and indeed we saw that there was tremendous activity on the island, Sergeant's Caye, which as you know is extremely small; it was badly damaged and eroded by Hurricane Hattie in 1961. We saw that protective reef, these are great chunks of reef, which were on a section of the island to seaward have been removed and placed in...like a pile of rubble. Also the seabed has been messed with, that's obvious, and we know for sure that pegs have been pounded into the grass seabed and it looks to me, I can't be sure, but it looks to me as if some of that grass seabed has been interfered with. In other words there has been tremendous interference with this small and fragile island that is critical to the fishing and tourism industry."
Greenwood's claim has initiated a series of reports, letters and recommendations including those from the Coastal zone Management Authority and Institute recommending that the operating license of the offending operator is canceled until charges and assessment are made.
Tom Greenwood,
"It was one company, allegedly, Belize Paradise Limited, authorities are ascertaining that. We looked even more deeply at what was happening here and if it is this company then we have a problem because this a company that has also built a bridge across the Sibun River without bothering to get permission from the authorities. They have built a complex within the 66-foot leeway of the Sibun, clearly reserved ground. And in general from our point of view, FECTAB's point of view, they decide to do things and then seek permission. That seems to be their modus operandi."
"We see this as a serious, a very serious breach of the laws and regulations of Belize and we support every recommendation being made by the authorities to correct this situation and quite frankly to ban the people responsible from coming out to this small coral island. We have to preserve our national patrimony from those who don't care."
Alfonso Noble,
People looking on might say this is just the ordinary everyday backbiting that the tourism industry faces and that is what you are doing here.
Tom Greenwood,
"This is not backbiting my friend. We are under tremendous pressure from the remaining industry partners; we are under tremendous pressure. We argue like the devil, we write up each, and all that but it's all for the best and for the better of Belize. It doesn't matter what people say about you. What you've got to consider is are they saying the truth and can you correct things like listening to them. My personal feelings, and what I say about anything or anybody, must take second place to the environment, to the proper conduct of our members and anyone carrying out tourism affairs in Belize, and to the broader picture. And boss this is that picture. This is callous disregard for the laws of Belize. We don't care who it is. If it were one of our members, we would be meeting right now to kick that member out and hand them over to the authorities. We want this thing to be here 20, 30, 40, 50, 100 years from now. Come on, we have to put everything else aside."
But in the cutthroat business that the tourist industry has become, maybe that is easier said than done. The only hope now is that in the ongoing war between operators, the environment benefits through this type of whistle blowing, even as that type of diligence is balanced against end interest meaning that now these foxes have to guard each other's hen houses.
We spoke to Belize Paradise's Bill McKenzie who says he is not able to respond to the accusations being made against his company because he's not received any official correspondence from any agency or authority. He however says that his company is one of three operators who conduct business on Sergeant's Caye, and everyone does it the same way so he's not sure why his operation is being picked on
