Results of Eco Audit released in Belize City

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The results of an Eco Audit of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef were released this morning.  The audit was carried out by Healthy Reefs Initiative in collaboration with the World Resources Institute and about forty local and government agencies and companies.  Director of Healthy Reefs for Healthy People, Melanie McField, explained that seventy percent of the reef sites surveyed in 2010 were in critical condition with most threats coming from human activities.

The twenty-two standardized management indicators were developed across seven thematic areas that include Research, Education and Awareness,  Marine Protected Areas, Global Issues, Coastal Zone Management, Sustainability in the Private Sector, Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management and Sanitation and Sewage Treatment.  Roberto Pott from Healthy Reefs for Healthy People explains the country findings and points out some of the low and high scores for Belize.

Belize also topped the region in Global issues especially by engaging in international or regional treaties that support conservation.   CEO in the Office of the Prime Minister, Audrey Wallace spoke of the next steps and the application of the Eco-Audit in Belize.

The conference came to an end with remarks by the Director of Product Development in the Belize Tourism Board, Laura Esquivel-Frampton.  A technical session for detailed review followed after the conference until noon.