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And they got vindication of their position in a public opinion poll with some dramatic results. They presented the polls today and we were there:

Jules Vasquez Reporting

Audrey Matura - Shepherd - Vice President, Oceana
"It's just one of the main things that we will keep on doing so that the issue of offshore oil exploration remains an issue - a national issue."

With that motivation, the poll gathered results from a staggering eight thousand people who were polled by phone over the past week.

Yasmine Andrews - Pollster
"We used 4,000 out of a database of about 13,000, and then 4,000 out of the general populace of Belize, of approximately 350,000. So that is one part where it was - the statistical is strong."

It is the largest sample ever used in a poll in Belize:

Yasmine Andrews - Pollster
"We used 4,000 out of a database of about 13,000, and then 4,000 out of the general populace of Belize, of approximately 350,000. So that is one part where it was - the statistical is strong."

And overwhelmingly, the position of the respondents was that there should be referendum on oil exploration in offshore areas and that the respondents would vote against it.

Audrey Matura - Shepherd
"Do you think that there should be oil exploration and drilling in offshore areas? The response is there. 87.2% said no, so that leaves you with only 12% saying yes. So that means that in this entire country of Belize - if we are is saying that the sample of 4,000 is representative of the 300,000+ - we are saying that the majority of Belizeans do not want oil exploration to occur. 87% is a very high number. Would you like an opportunity to vote on whether or not oil exploration and drilling in offshore areas should occur? Would you like an opportunity for a referendum? Again the majority, yes, which is 94% - so that is very - that is only 6% saying no."

If accurate, the results are staggering in their opposition to offshore drilling:

Yasmine Andrews
"When I was going through the statistics, and we asked, 'Do you want offshore oil exploration, yes or no?' And we saw a huge percentage - 85% - 90%. That is large. And we are only seeing 10% saying yes. So, when you are looking at that proportion statistically, you're saying that you might assume that everyone wants it because the difference in between is huge."

And so the message of the largest phone poll ever taken in Belize?:

Yamine Andrews
"The general conclusion of both results of the poll - both of the database of signatures and both of the general populace of Belize, is that people do not want offshore to occur. That's one. Secondly, both of the signatures - petition and the general populace of Belize want the opportunity to vote for the referendum to voice their opinion and vote no to offshore drilling."

The poll results also show respondents urging the coalition to press on in its advocacy efforts - and saying they'd support the Coalition in a call to action:

Audrey Matura - Shepherd
"Come out and support the People's Referendum. Come and participate. Vote on the issue."