And while the Commerce Bight dispute is about to become a legal headache for the Briceno Administration, Andre Perez, the Minister of the Blue Economy, is taking a cautious approach about a controversial development in his Belize Rural South constituency.
Last night, we showed you what he had to say about the Port Coral Cruise Port when he appeared on the latest episode of Uncut. And, Host Jules Vasquez took the opportunity to ask him about the Cayo Rosario project.
As we reported, that's a 10-acre island off the northwest coast of San Pedro. The developer initially planned to build more than 80 over-the-water structures for a resort. But, due to constant public pressure, and assessments from the Government's environmental technocrats, the developer was forced to downsize the project.
But that wasn't enough for the conservation-minded residents of San Pedro, who were so opposed to the development that they formed a pressure group called Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development. That organization campaigned hard against the project. They even went to court to try and stop the National Environmental Appraisal Committee from granting environmental clearance to the developer. They eventually lost that case, and so, the project can technically progress to the next phase.
So, what's the perspective of the Ministry of the Blue Economy on this proposed development which is now under a new brand name? Here's the back and forth between Jules and the minister from Wednesday night:
Hon. Abner Andre Perez - Minister of Blue Economy
"Six Sense is a resort that is known to be environmentally compliant. And indeed, this island, Cayo Rosario, is very controversial in my hometown, San Pedro because it has many implications. It sits in the middle of what you call a reserve. In tourism, there is something called fly fishing. It fetches thousands of dollars. It is the biggest industry in terms of fishing. You can do reef fishing. You can do deep-sea fishing. But, when it comes to the flats, you're fishing bonefish, tarpon, permit. That is a sport for rich people, and when these people come fishing, they don't come for an overnight. They come for a week or two. They come with their families. There's big money involved. So, whenever you're talking about Cayo Rosario, it sits in the middle of this very precarious situation. But sadly, our government, myself, inherited this predicament. And it has been lingering for many years, so that the previous government has been kicking this can along the road, proverbially. So, I'm faced with it, dealing with it, and they have all the clearances. And I'm in the middle to make a decision. And the decision is to make informed decisions."
Jules Vasquez
"So, there will be a development on Cayo Rosario."
Hon. Abner Andre Perez
"Now, let me be clear on this."
Jules Vasquez
"Will it have over-the-water structures?"
Hon. Abner Andre Perez
"They have gotten approvals to build a limited amount because they want to build-."
Jules Vasquez
"Of over-the-water structures."
Hon. Abner Andre Perez
"Yes."
Jules Vasquez
"You opposed that back in 2018, Minister."
Hon. Abner Andre Perez
"Yes, yes, yes, let me get back to that. I did oppose that, and I am on the record for that. But when we get across and see what is the development there, we apply what is the Blue Economy. We have a find a balance. Perhaps, we can take Cayo Rosario as a clear model of what is the Blue Economy, where the investor can benefit, but the fisher folks will not lose their waters, and then, the environment is preserved. That is the conundrum. We need to find that balance right there But in the end, at this point in time, the investors are pushing us to the point whereby they're asking for a little more than way too much, which is no longer feasible. At this point in time, nothing has been sealed. We have laid out our terms."
"You can build over the water, but you cannot dredge because that area cannot be dredged. That's the point. You will not dredge, and it cannot happen. The dredging cannot occur. They need to bring filling for that island, [it] has to be from somewhere else."
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