Email

Print

They are also interested in the Sapodilla Caye Range. That southern most string of islands in Belizean territory has been the apple of Guatemala's eye for decades if not centuries. And, the truth is, they use it more than we Belizeans do. And with Easter approaching, it will be a favorite getaway for wealthy Guatemalans who can zip out there in their private boats. In 2002 - yes, 15 years ago - our Indira Craig visited those islands to find out what makes them so special to the Guatemalans. Here's her story from October 2002:...

Indira Craig: reporting
It's one of our natural treasures that is so remote only a small percentage of Belizeans can speak knowledgably about its striking beauty and abundantly rich resources. The little known range of 8 islets begins here at Tom Owen's Caye, which is the northern most tip of the sapodilla range. Head South for 15th minutes and you'll meet North East Caye. Both Tom Owen and North East Cayes are owned by the government and are used mainly by fishermen as a stopover camp. Franks Caye is privately owned by a Belizean and is almost annexed to North East. It has a few private dwellings and some splintered sandbars that offer a unique attraction. Nicholas Caye which follows a few minutes south is one of the vacation hotspots and offers a very inexpensive stop over for those wishing to spend the night. Owned by a Swiss-Guatemalan resident, the property sees heavy usage by Guatemalans. The same applies for the spectacular Line Caye at the southernmost point. But the hob of the range and the mandatory point of entry is here at Hunting Caye. On this rainy day the number of paying visitors was considerably low, but Blane Coleman from the BTB says that on weekends and holidays the number of foreign visitors can be staggering.

Blane Coleman- BTB Collector
"Like five hundred…five, six hundred the most. Out here we do have boats who come from Guatemala and Honduras and we have the policemen do the job of the immigration; and we do a fee of $10 per person."

And that $10 head charge is in US currency, which makes it a solid income earner for the BTB and, more than that, it's easy money considering that all the promotion for the cayes is done in Guatemala by Guatemalans. One tour operator who has been selling packages to our cayes for over 40 years is Eduardo Guzman. He considers the Sapodilla Cayes his bread and butter.

Eduardo Guzman- Guatemalan Tour Operator
"It is an attraction for us to fish in crystal clear waters, in white sandy beaches and be in such beautiful islands. I spent a lot of money advertising in the newspapers the cayes of Belize. I always put in the newspapers: let's go to the cayes of Belize; and Guatemalans enjoy coming to this paradise."

But should Guatemalans have the right to enjoyment at all? While that is debated in Washington, on the seas of Southern Belize it has never been a question but a matter of fact. This weekend eight luxury fishing boats with thirty five people onboard, all Guatemalans, were in the waters of Southern Belize in a fishing tournament, making the waters seem more like an amusement park than an ecological park. But for all the Guatemalans, these waters are more than just close they are very familiar."

Marianela De la Seda - Guatemalan Tourist
"This is my third time I think, it's nice."

Indira Craig - reporter
"Is it very difficult picking up the family and just coming out here?"

Fernando Gabriel- Guatemalan Tourist
"No, it's very simple, very nice. About one month maybe, more or less, every thirty days; and we love the place, it's incredible."

But while they've known about Sapodilla for years, Belizeans are just getting to learn. In separate tours, twelve Punta Gorda members of UB and fifteen primary schoolers of Toledo Wesley infant, stopped in to get better acquainted.

Teacher
"When we know what we have then we can appreciate it a lot more; but when we don't know that this is year then it won't mean as much."

Saleem Chan - T.A.S.T.E.
"Other kids from Punta Gorda, exactly in the town, and the Toledo District they have never had the opportunity to come this far out to the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve."

Guatemalans are happy with the status quo that allows them ease of access.

Fernando Gabriel- Guatemalan Tourist
"I believe that the Belize government should have more care on that because I believe that this is not property of Belize this is property of the World, you know, it's a reserve that everybody have to take care of it."

Eduardo Guzman- Guatemalan Tour Operator
"My Guatemalan brothers will not like this but I prefer that things remain as they are under Belizean laws, because even though it has been damaged, you have conserved it and that is very important. My fear is that the moment this is opened for everyone, this place will be invaded and it will be transformed into a market. This place should be kept as it is- a virgin, not to be touched- because this is a paradise that our children should inherent. They have the right to enjoy that."

The hope is that Belizeans will now recognize ways to develop and assert their role as owners rather than just care takers of this precious natural resource.

The Fisheries Department now collects the fees at Hunting Caye - and on Monday we'll tell you how many visitors there are annually.