Caye Caulker Rejects Perez’s Sand-for-Marl Proposal

The Caye Caulker Village Council (CCVC) has rejected the proposal to exchange sand from the island for white marl to support street works in the Bahia Puesta del Sol area.

In a press release, the council confirmed that Area Representative Andre Perez discussed transporting white marl to Caye Caulker to help open streets, in exchange for sand from the council’s designated burrow site to be taken to Ambergris Caye.

However, the council said that no agreement was reached, stating that Caye Caulker’s sand is “a valuable and limited natural resource” that must remain for the long-term benefit of residents.

The council went even further and questioned white marl’s suitability for streets, as it has proven inadequate in Ambergris Caye during wet conditions, “often resulting in roads becoming impassable”.

It also pointed out that dredging could directly affect fishermen who operate near the proposed site. “The Caye Caulker Village Council respectfully requests that our Area Representative honor and respect the decision made by both the Council and the wider Caye Caulker community,” the council said. 

“Any contribution toward the development of Caye Caulker should be made in the best interest of the community and without conditions or exchanges involving the island’s natural resources,” it added