5 years, that's how long the conservationists have been pressing the Barrow Government to institute a permanent Ban on Offshore Oil Drilling. But, it was not so simple because oil exploration contracts were already signed with different private companies, and so if the Government simply instituted a moratorium, they would be effectively be terminating these contracts - and thereby opening up the country to lawsuits for breech of contract.
So, late this year when all the oil exploration contracts expired, the Government chose not to renew any of them, especially in the environmentally sensitive areas, such as the marine reserves. Since then, the Oceana Belize and other conservationists have been lobbying in the halls of power for the Barrow Government to issue a permanent ban.
And that's the news tonight. A Government release says, quote, Cabinet met on the issue today, and late this evening, the Government announced that they had approved it.
A press release from the Government says, quote,
"Cabinet...approved a policy that will legally apply a ban on offshore exploration in areas along the Belize Barrier Reef System, and within the seven (7) World Heritage Sites in Belize.
Cabinet has agreed to specifically ban offshore exploration in all 7 World Heritage Sites:
- Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and National Park
- Caye Caulker Marine Reserve and National Park
- Lighthouse Reef Natural Monument
- South Water Caye Marine Reserve
- Laughing Bird Caye National Park
- Glovers Reef Marine Reserve
- Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve
This effectively results in a total of 448 square miles being banned. In addition, Cabinet agreed to a ban offshore exploration within one kilometer on either side of the Belizean Barrier Reef System, resulting in an additional 868 square miles falling under the offshore exploration ban. The total area covered by the ban is 842,714 acres or 1,316 square miles…" End quote.
That's a huge milestone for the country, and at a half hour before the start of tonight's news, Oceana's Vice President, Janelle Chanona, told us via Skype that it is a welcomed announcement:
Janelle Chanona, Vice President - OCEANA
"The question has to be what does this mean for the people of Belize? I think it is significant that at a time when the world leaders are meeting as part of the COP21 conference to talk about ambitious strategies to help humanity deal with a changing climate that the government should choose to take this action. For us certainly looking that the government has declared a moratorium as it relates to offshore exploration for the entire offshore area that this announcement as to a permanent ban in such a significant portion of Belize's marine environment should be seen as a major milestone and should speak to the recognition of what Belizeans have been asking for, especially in the context of job security, food security and our very own identity. So I think this is an important date."
Daniel Ortiz
"So, are you cautiously optimistic?"
Janelle Chanona, Vice President - OCEANA
"I think Daniel, I know we have spoken about length about what victory would look like for us. I think this has to be seen for what it is, which is a major milestone. This is a clear indication as the Prime Minister put it to me, he says "Janelle I want to do this, because it's the right thing to do. If nobody was asking for it, I would still be doing it." So this has to be seen as a clear intention of the Prime Minister and his administration to do as he puts it "the right thing." And I am confident that the future will only provide even more evidence to the people of Belize and the government of Belize that it would not be worth it for be looking at doing this type of activity in any way shape or form in any of its territorial waters."
According to Government, not all of Belize's territorial waters qualify for this ban. The release explains,
"Cabinet further agreed that areas that fall outside of the large acreages banned, would not automatically allow for seismic activities and exploration drilling without conducting the existing stringent environmental studies to determine critical habitats and sensitive zones. The required environmental studies would then further give guidance to areas outside the ban, to scientifically determine the type and nature of exploration that can occur in these explorable areas."
We note that while this victory arrives today on December 1, 2015, activist Geovanni Brackett was the first to advocate for it back in 2010. The slogan "no to offshore oil drilling" became well known under Chanona's predecessor, Audrey Matura-Shepherd. It climaxed in March 2012, when the Matura-Shepherd led Oceana held a People's Referendum, where 30,000 registered voters gave a resounding "no".
We'll catch up with COLA President Geovannie Brackett tomorrow to get his reaction to the decision.
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