https://defendcayorosario.com/

On behalf of the flats fishing community, tour guides, tour operators, tourists of Belize, and commercial fisherman of San Pedro, Caye Caulker and Sarteneja, we hereby present signatures on this statement that opposes any development that includes over the water structures, dredging and filling of rock materials in flats habitats of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, including Cayo Rosario. Flats habitats include bottom of seagrass, rocky, sand and mud.

The flats located within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve are also home to a very healthy population of Bonefish, Permit, and Tarpon. Thousands of anglers each year travel to Belize, and fish for these highly prized catch and release game fish. The sport fishing industry in Belize generates US $ 56 million each year, supports over 2100 direct jobs and hundreds of local tour guides and their families, boosts the hotel industry, and provides income for local restaurants and business. 

The story behind Cayo Rosario - Source: San Pedro Sun

Cayo Rosario ended up in the hands of developer David Mitchell when the Government of Belize allegedly ceded the island as compensation for an erroneous sale to Mitchell in Caye Caulker. In 2015, the island was acquired by a group of investors, including island realtor John Turley. The island has now allegedly been sold to another developer who is seeking to construct a resort on the island. The project initially called for 50 island bungalows and 50+ over-the-water structures, but according to Hol Chan it has been drastically downsized.

In 2018, the development received the approval of its Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Compliance Plan by the Department of Environment. The non-governmental organization of Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development tried to challenge such a decision, but in May 2019, the Supreme Court of Belize refused leave for Judicial Review in the case regarding the approval of the project.

The project is intended to be branded as Sixth Senses Hotel and Resort but while the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Compliance Plan have been approved and signed, the development group may still require permits for dredging, mangrove clearing from the Forestry Department, as well as permissions from the Belize Fisheries Department and The Department of the Environment to develop a portion of a national marine reserve with over-the-water structures. 

The signatures on this petition call on the Belize Fisheries Department, National Environmental Appraisal Committee, The Department of the Environmental, co-managers and associated governmental departments of Belize to enforce the laws that protect the habitats, fisheries and natural resources of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and stop current and future dredging and construction of over-water structures in marine protected areas and biologically important locations.