Illegal Dredging has been taking place since last week inside the Cayo Rosario Conservation Zone of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. This was reported to the Hol Chan Office last week. Rangers were sent to the area but were unable to stop the illegal activity. Dredging and building of a seawall continues up to today.

It's the Conservation Zone of Cayo Rosario which is within Zone E. When cannot blame the men trying to earn a living but we must blame the developer who is responsible for this illegal activity because he failed to acquire the proper permits.







Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development - ACCSD

On Friday, October 9, 2020, Hol Chan personnel visited Cayo Rosario based on information received. We confirmed that a seawall was being built on the west side of the island, and persons were engaged in filling in the area behind the seawall. Fill material was being brought in from outside the immediate area, and dredging was not observed at this time to be occurring within the Conservation Zone of Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Persons were immediately asked to cease all activities. A further inspection was conducted on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, with Hol Chan personnel acting on behalf of the Fisheries Department and personnel from the Physical Planning Unit to investigate the situation. It has been established that no permits have been issued by any of the relevant Departments for these activities to occur, and as such, these are deemed to be illegal. The Physical Planning Unit has issued a stop order, and the Hol Chan enforcement team will be monitoring the area to ensure that the developers comply. An investigation is being conducted for further actions to be taken.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve