Posted on June 5, 2018
Cayo Rosario in San Pedro is a small caye that falls within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve that was sold to a private investor. That investor has already submitted a proposal for a massive development that will see over-water cabanas erected in the reserve. The developers will have to do significant dredging around the caye to carry out the massive project.
But the San Pedro community has strongly objected to the proposed development, which they say will have adverse impact on the environment, and by extension, the fishing and tourism industries. The community got wind that the final version of the Environmental Impact Assessment was given the green light by the National Appraisal Environmental Committee.
Mike Heusner, one of the members of NEAC, is the B.T.I.A. Rep on the committee and was asked if the project was approved. He says it was and it happened at a meeting that he didn’t attend. Heusner says he objected strongly because the type of development shouldn’t take place within a reserve.
Heusner says: “NEAC has to go by rules and regulations that are existing. Sometimes there are serious objections within the NEAC meetings but most of the times the laws, rules and regulations will override personal objections. I personally think there should be no overwater structures in any marine protected area but it is permitted. It was permitted and is being permitted but San Pedro is objecting very strongly to it and I encourage them to object to it.”
Source: NEWS 5
