Government of Belize Says No to Offshore Oil Exploration

December 5, 2015
by Belize Hub +

On Dec. 1 2015, the Government of Belize took a huge step forward in protecting the nation’s best interests when it announced that offshore oil exploration will be permanently banned along the Belize Barrier Reef System and within the country’s seven World Heritage Sites. The move represents a major milestone for the tens of thousands of Belizeans who for years have been asking for protection of job security, food security and cultural identity, all of which revolve around the ocean.

“From legal, economic, scientific and cultural perspectives, Belizeans agree offshore oil is a bad idea,” according to a press release from Oceana Belize following the announcement. “We remain confident that the future will continue to reveal reasons why Belizeans should never risk any portion of our outstanding and globally unique resources with this type of activity.”