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Documentari
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| The Coral Ranger (Belize) |
| 01/10/2007 16:00 | |
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Italian title: I coralli della discordia
The barrier reef which lies off the coast of Belize, in the Caribbean Sea, is the second largest in the world; second in size only to Australia's Great barrier reef. It is easy to be fascinated by the magical beauty of its underwater landscapes.
Few people understand how important this natural protection from the onslaught of ocean waves really is. Over the last 20 years, the delicate balance which regulates the life of the world's barrier reefs has been seriously threatened. Ever increasing industrial waste, irresponsible fishing, construction-related exploitation and disrespectful tourism are all to blame.
The island of Ambergris, a stone's throw away from Mexico, is also protected by Belize's barrier reef. Ambergris was well-known to the ancient Maya people who, over a thousand years ago, farmed on its land and traded in its stocks of salt, fish and vegetables. Today however, few traces of the pre-hispanic civilization remain on the island.
The island's peace and tranquility have always made it a favorite nesting haven for pelicans, cormorans and other sea birds. Up until a few years ago, the town of San Pedro, capitol of Ambergris, was a sleepy fishing village. Life revolved around a traditional fishing industry, religion - and the movement of the tide.
Then tourism appeared, and drastic changes soon followed. The population increased and today the island has become the principal tourist attraction in Belize - a success which both the island's environment and its inhabitants are paying a high price for. In order to protect a part of the island from irresponsible fishermen, and from the side effects of tourism, the Hol Chan marine reserve was established in 1987.
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| James Azueta |
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James Azueta
In charge of the marine reserve is biologist James Azueta, a reserved, even shy man,
whose deep professional commitment has turned him into an environmental manager and
policeman.
I was born two years before Hurricane Hattie actually hit this island and devestated
the island. I can remember the old folks sitting down before dark, telling stories
about ghosts, about fishing trips, about events that used to happen in the island at
that time.
Today, that generation is almost gone and I don't hear those stories
anymore. I have been offered the oppurtunity to work abroad, in fact, I am also a
scuba diving instructor.
I would actually make five times the money I'm earning now as a biologist and a
conservationist, but somebody has to do the job of taking care
of the environment.
My daily works actually includes patrolling the waters to make sure that the fishermen
comply with the fishing regulations. That means making sure that they don't take out
the undersized lobsters, the undersized conches and doing any illegal fishing in the
Hol Chan marine reserve.
The Hol Chan marine reserve is a multi-habitat system created for multiple use.
The main emphasis is to use the resources as a fisheries management tool where the
fishermen will benefit. It is also used as a recreation area. Today over 35,000
visitors go to the Hol Chan marine reserve. Of course, those are high numbers and we
have some reservations about the impact that the area is receiving. However, just
saving the environment from this new invasion may not be enough, for San Pedro's
traditional fishing culture is also facing extinction.
Years back, people here used to live without indoor facilities, no electricity, no
telephones, no television. Everybody knew each other. Everybody helped each other.
There were unwritten rules that everybody followed and the life here was very simple.
But when the tourism industry started, a number of these fishermen became tour guides
because it was a more lucrative way of life.
Tourism, now, is very big and membership in our coop is falling. But it's the decline
in family values, a different morality, that worries us. Their way of life, to their
styles and a lot of the traditions, cultural traditions, like the Carnival system,
the way of baptism, even marriage has been affected. Where we now have high rates of
divorce which was something unheard of many years ago.
There is always a constant battle to try to accommodate this development, this
catering for tourism and protection of the environment. Even the Hol Chan reserve
itself, is a victim of it's own success.The tiny island of Ambergris presents us with
a serious dilemma - one shared by all beautiful places on earth. On the one hand, the
need to conserve a luxuriant, even paradisiacal natural environment, and on the other,
the onslaught of a type of tourism destined to contaminate it.
I still believe Ambergris Cay is one of the most wonderful places in the world to
live. I think that changes have occurred, but the people living here are very
concerned and are doing things to make it or to keep it beautiful. And I think,
that if we can strike a balance between tourism, the environment and it's people,
I think that we will have a beautiful place for people to be proud of."
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