Belize Barrier Reef
F) Canada, Mexico, and Central America
Drug Flow/Transit. The major narcotics threat in Belize is cocaine transshipment through Belize waters for onward shipment to the United States. The Belize coastline offers a multitude of opportunities for maritime traffickers. Often the drugs will be off-loaded on the ocean side near the barrier reef to smaller, "go-fast" boats and other vessels. These vessels then transit Belize’s territorial waters with relative safety due to numerous hiding locations and shallow water. One of the major impediments to dealing effectively with these shipments is the lack of adequate resources and interdiction capabilities (specifically equipment, vessels, and personnel), and critical information such as locations and times of delivery. ... [Read More]
F) Canada, Mexico, and Central America
The primary means for smuggling drugs are go-fast boats transiting the reef system; traffickers can operate in relative safety due to numerous hiding locations and shallow water. The entire Belize coastline offers a multitude of opportunities for maritime traffickers. Often the drugs are off-loaded on the ocean side near the barrier reef to smaller vessels. These vessels freely transit inside Belize’s national waters because of the lack of adequate host nation resources and interdiction capabilities, including equipment, vessels, personnel, and other items deemed necessary, as well as a lack of critical information, such as locations and times of delivery. ... [Read More]
Investment Climate
Fishing (within the barrier reef) ... Ramon's Village (Reef Resorts) Ltd.1Sector: tourism ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Belize’s barrier reef is the second largest in the world, running some 150 miles, nearly the entire length of the coast, featuring three of the Caribbean’s four atolls. Small islands or cayes (pronounced keys) abound in the crystal-clear waters of the reefs. ... Adequate exercise and outdoor recreation are essential to morale and physical well-being in Belize. Opportunities for outdoor recreation are limitless, while those who don’t like the outdoors are likely to find life here frustrating. Jogging and bicycling are popular. Close proximity to some of the world’s most beautiful boating and swimming makes this an ideal post for water sports. Sailing, canoeing (on rivers), sea kayaking, motorboating, SCUBA, snorkeling, fishing, and exploring the barrier reef and the cayes are popular activities. From Belize City, water taxis take you out to the cayes. There are plenty of boats for hire, or bring your own. Some U.S. personnel have even purchased excellent locally built craft. Outboard motors are in ample supply and cheaper than in the U.S. Races for various classes of local and imported sailboats are held two or three times a year. Fishing tournaments, too, are held several times a year. Manatee can be seen upriver; and it is possibl ... [Read More]
Press Releases
January 28, 2004 - US$ 3 Million for Sustainable Management and Conservation of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System111 ... [Read More]
Visiting Belize
Commercial fishing (inside the barrier reef) ... Trade Barriers: ... Trade Barriers ... [Read More]
Background Notes
Forestry was the only economic activity of any consequence in Belize until well into the 20th century when the supply of accessible timber began to dwindle. Cane sugar then became the principal export and recently has been augmented by expanded production of citrus, bananas, seafood,papayas, and apparel. The country has about 809,000 hectares of arable land, only a small fraction of which is under cultivation. To curb land speculation, the government enacted legislation in 1973 that requires non-Belizeans to complete a development plan on land they purchase before obtaining title to plots of more than 10 acres of rural land or more than one-half acre of urban land. Domestic industry is limited, constrained by relatively high-cost labor and ene ... [Read More]
Belize (08/04)
A combination of natural factors--climate, the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, numerous islands, excellent fishing, safe waters for boating, jungle wildlife, and Mayan ruins--support the thriving tourist industry. Development costs are high, but the Government of Belize has designated tourism as one of its major development priorities. In 2002, tourist arrivals totaled 199,493 (more than 50% from the United States). ... [Read More]
Visitor Information
The cayes (pronounced keys), the offshore atolls, and the barrier reef are the main attraction to Belize. The barrier reef, which is 185 miles long, is the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. The cayes are islands and/or mangroves, that are located between the mainland and the barrier reef, on the barrier reef, and on or within the barrier reef perimeters of the offshore atolls. Although the mangrove cayes are normally uninhabitable by humans, they do provide a superior habitat for birds and marine life. Many birds, fish, shellfish, and marine organisms begin their lives within the protection of the mangrove. On the other hand, the island cayes, which are distinguishable by their palm trees, have provided the foundation for the development of many fine resorts to serve water sports enthusiasts and marine naturalists. The cayes and atolls are excellent for SCUBA diving, sn ... [Read More]
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