And to try and quell some of the anger that has come from the NGO Community after that widely condemned draft guidelines package was released - the Ministry of Petroleum sent out its second release for the week. The last one was still picking fights with the NGO's - but today's release was cellar and almost contrite. It says, quote, "the Government of Belize continues to maintain a moratorium on the issuance of any new offshore petroleum exploration concessions." It adds that quote, "none of World Heritage Site properties are currently under any oil concessions." It continues to say that in 2013, the Ministry successfully negotiated with Princess Petroleum to relinquish 25% of their concession block to ensure that, quote, "the Blue Hole and other areas of Lighthouse Reef Atoll are no longer part of their active concession."
The release adds that in 2009, when the Belize Barrier Reef System was placed on the List of World Heritage Site in Danger, nine offshore concessions existed and now, Princess Petroleum remains the only company with a large offshore concession.
Still, it's not quite enough for the NGO community, which wants the existing oil concessions offshore not to be renewed or extended.
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