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At the end of September, the Ministry of Economic Development and Petroleum, informed the public that, after approval from Cabinet, it would be conducting a multibeam and seep sea survey in the Exclusive Economic Zone, and away from the barrier reef, atolls and other World Heritage Sites. According to the Ministry, these surveys are part of a larger effort involving the US and Mexico to collect new data on the geological features of the area.
And though the Ministry promises that these surveys will be conducted away from any major tourism areas and important fishing and spawning sites, some conservation organizations are not happy.

According to OCEANA some of the methods used in conducting the surveys could in fact be harmful to the marine life in the surrounding area. In a letter written to oppose the government’s decision to allow the surveys, OCEANA cites disruption of mating and feeding habits, abandonment of habitat, and potential deafness in some marine mammals, as major concerns. OCEANA also mentions that this sort of seismic testing is often the first step in the development of oil and gas fields.

Both OCEANA and the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage have asked the Ministry of Economic Development and Petroleum to release the written position it provided to the Cabinet. The organization alleges that the information the Ministry based its position on may not be 100% scientifically accurate. Therefore, OCEANA has urged Cabinet to reassess the decision until further research has been conducted on the risks of the multibeam and seep sea surveys, and after proper measures have been put into place to protect the livelihoods of those employed in the tourism and fishing sectors.