Last week Friday we told you about the barge named "Pitbull" that had become grounded on the reef at the entrance of the channel leading to Northern II Caye, on the Lighthouse Reef Atoll.
Tonight we can confirm that the DOE has finished its damage assessment.
Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai says, quote, "In accordance with the Marine Causality Response Protocol, the DOE immediately coordinated a response along with the Belize Fisheries Department, Belize Port Authority, Belize National Coast Guard and the Belize Audubon Society. The response was to assess any potential damage to critical ecosystems (such as the coral reef) and to determine the best approach to remove the vessel so that additional damage does not occur."
He adds that preliminary observation revealed that damage did occur, so the team used "established scientific procedures" to assess the damage. They found that "an area with live coral approximately 3.69 square meters large was damaged."
Mai concludes quote, "The DOE is in discussions with the proprietor to resolve the violation."
Email
Print