Balancing Conservation and Survival in Belize

Belize’s fishing industry is at a crossroads. An ambitious conservation plan under the Blue Bond agreement aims to protect twenty percent of the country’s coral reef space, a move designed to safeguard marine ecosystems for future generations. But for fishers, tour guides, and coastal communities, this proposal feels like a threat to their survival. Lobster and conch harvesting aren’t just traditions; they’re also lifelines for thousands and a major contributor to Belize’s economy. So, how do we strike the right balance between protecting our reefs and protecting livelihoods? Eworth Garbutt, President of the Belize Flat Fishery Association, explained what they are up against.

 

Eworth Garbutt, President, Belize Flat Fishery Association

“Eworth with his big mouth gone seh twenty percent full protection of coral. I thought when Ms. Bev come I wished to be wrong. I wanted to hear no it is not coral and not twenty percent. All that is right, it is coral coverage. What she tried to make clear and it magnified our defense. She went further and say it is not twenty percent. Let me give you the whole ocean space. Our largest barrier reef in the whole hemisphere is less that ten percent of Belize water. So break it down to this, when you tell me it is only two percent. It is two percent from ten percent. You have ten fingers and I cut off two and any Belizean that don’t even know about math  when you look at this picture, does this look two percent? When I say that the ten percent is so significant because that is where the lobster, conch, GDP money the come from. The government the shoot ih own self in ih foot because the lobster and conch get dive here. If you look at the Sapodilla Cayes, a majority of the Cayes already taken. So out of fairness. The beautiful thing about it, what they call consultation, you still have a way to die, or which one you want to lose.”