San Pedro hosts celebrity group for new sportsfish movie series
[Linked Image]
Movie scene featuring actor Michael Keaton of Batman fame in director's chair.

El Pescador Lodge in San Pedro has been hosting the filming of a new movie, "Buccaneers and Bones" featuring Michael Keaton actor turned director.

Tom Brokaw, news anchor and CBC and author, Yvon Chouninard, the founder of Patagonia, Bill Klyn, director Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, Zach Guilford actor, Thomas McGuane, author, Lori-Ann Murphy, Director of fishing at El Pescador, and Aaron Adams, scientist Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, and Orion Multimedia, the world's largest producer of outdoor adventure television, are all part of the production team and were at El Pescador on Ambergris Caye for the filming of the series which will air on The Outdoor Channel in January 2011.

The "Buccaneers and Bones" series features the angler's passion for fishing and the camaraderie they share as they search for answers on how to safeguard the environment. In addition to fishing the famed salt water flats of Belize, these notables are fishing for answers, too.

How can we save our last great coastal environments? It's a question that has been at the heart of Bonefish and Tarpon Trust's mission since 1998, and is being pursued by some of the world's top scientists.

Orion Multimedia was particularly interested in filming in Belize due to the newly legislated "catch and release" law.

El Pescador's involvement with the Trust regarding bonefish tagging, as well as the research Green Reef is doing regarding sport fish habitat and trying to protect critical areas from development, made the lodge a natural partner.

While on Ambergris Caye, the group enjoyed flats fishing for tarpon, permit and bonefish with El Pescador's legendary fishing guides. In addition to landing many bonefish and tarpon, they also satellite tagged a tarpon in order to learn more about this magnificent and ancient species (the first satellite tag deployed near Ambergris Caye).

While they had many follows, the elusive permit avoided the team's camera, which was disappointing.,and Tropical Storm Alex's arrival called for an early departure.

The team enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Amy Knox of Wild Mangos, featuring the many ways Belizeans use the coconut. She began with coco-mojitos and ended with a coconut tart drizzled with Belizean Kakaw dark chocolate. Chef Jeff from Rojo Lounge also pleased his guests with a magnificent meal prepared using 100% local Belizean ingredients, starring chaya.

Alonzo Flota, from Under da Sea, took the team for a memorable snorkeling trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and his guests returned raving about the beauty of the Barrier Reef and abundance of marine life.
Minister of Tourism, Manuel Heredia Jr. described how he grew up on Ambergris Caye as a commercial fisherman, his time at the fishing co-op and his passion and understanding of fishing. He also discussed his involvement in helping to pass the Catch and Release legislation to protect bonefish, tarpon and permit as game fish, demonstrating Belize's commitment to protect its natural resources and ensure the livelihood of future generations.

Aaron Adams, a scientist from the Trust, gave an educational presentation to the children of the island entitled "healthy habitats = healthy prey = healthy bonefish."

He discussed the importance of protecting the mangroves, shoals and sea grass beds in order to preserve habitat for marine species.

El Pescador Lodge is grateful to the Belize Tourism Board for its generous financial support to host Orion multimedia and the filming of the "Buccaneers and Bones" series.

Thanks also to Tropic Air, Wild Mangos, Rojo Lounge, Under da Sea and the Island Academy and the staff and guides of El Pescador Lodge.

The Reporter