infoterra
Vol.1
No. 2
CARIBBEAN
CURRENTS
NATIONAL FOCAL POINTS
January 1992
REGIONAL NEWS NOTES:
Welcome to the second
edition of Caribbean Currents
- the quarterly newsletter for
the English-speaking
Caribbean INFOTERRA
National Focal Points.
We would like to thank the
NFPs of Barbados, Belize and
Jamaica for their contributions
to this edition of Caribbean
Currents.
In this edition we will
highlight activities at the NFPs,
update staffing changes, and
focus on ecotourlsm and its
applications in the Caribbean.
The next issue will be
published on April 1,1992.
Please help make this
newsletter a success by
sending your submissions to
INFOTERRA/USA by March
18,1992.
Focus On:
BELIZE
Central America, a region noted for its rich and exotic natural ~
environment, is in crisis. A rapidly expanding population, heavily dependent
on its natural resource base, is suffering major health and mention problems,
while the natural environment is suffering severe .degradaticm. Sixty to eighty
percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)of the heavily populated
region is derived from natural resource extraction. This overdependence has
imposed excessive demands on the environment, resulting in predictable
consequences, such as deforestation, soil erosion, loss of wildlife habitat and
agricultural lands siltation, and flooding.
A conspicuous exception to this trend is Belize. A small nation (22,963
Km2 in size) with a small population (184,000), Belize possesses an abundant
natural resource base, of which its forests are the most prominent example. >
The Government of Belize officially classifies 93% of;the land as forestland.
This healthy situation is further bolstered by the low rates df deforestation -
less than 1 % per year. Traditionally, Belize has relied upoh the timber -
industry, initially logwood, and later hardwoods (e.g. Mahogany-and Spanish
Cedar). Until recently, agriculture has assumed only a secondary role in the
nation's economy.
Balancing Growth and the Environment
A total of 30% of the total lands of Belize are protected in "nature
reserves". This figure represents a tremendous commitment on the p&rt of the
Belizean government to preserve this environmental legacy for future
generations. The economic and environmental future of Belize depends on
maintaining a health economy without sacrificing its natural heritage.
In This Issue
Focus On: Belize	Page 1
Highlighting economic and environmental conditons
NFP Report: Barbados	....Page 2
Happenings at the NFP
Belize and Ecotourlsm	Page 3
Tourism and the Environment
Coastal Zone Malxigement In Jamaica	page 4
Changes in territorial waters
NFP Phone List	Page 6
The important issue to recognize from the
current situation is that Belize is a nation with -v
development and conservation potential. Sound'
development demands a healthy respect for the natural
environment. An integrated development approach will
provide Belizeans the unique opportunity to avert many
of the negative environmental impacts and	* I
corresponding social effects of the traditional laissez-
faire approach.
Jaime Villanueva
INFOTERRA/Bettze
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Wider Caribbean Initiative:
Carjfrfcjjeftn Institute for Sustainable Development
A meeting will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico,
March 4-6/1992, focusing on the consolidation of the
Caribbean Consortium and the creation of the Caribbean
Institute for Sustainable Development (CISD). The
Consortia will be comprised of government,
educational, private business, and public membership
envippnm?ptal organization^ dedicated to sustainable
development through souflji environmental policy arid
practice.
The will Wie the administrative arm of the
Consortium. The agendaincludes a keynote address by
William Reilly, EPA Administrator, who will speak about
EPA's participation in the Institute and ask other '
organizations for commitments. This will be followed by
a preserrt$on on tljie itnppitanqeof Information x
Resources Management to the success of the Initiative.
The meeting will also include ah exhibit area to ?
demen$tt^e thq types of resources that EPA uses in its
mission. Attendees will be asked tp comment pn the
usefulness of each exhibit in supporting them with their
respective missions. This will provide us with an
opportunity to continue to assess the needs of the region
as we continue with plans for a Regional Environmental
Information Center in Puerto Rico.
It is anticipated that the Institute will make decisions
about the location and opening date of the Information
Center within a six month time frame. Potential sites are
being evaluated and will be presented to the Institute at
the meeting.
For more information on the Wider Caribbean
Initiative, please contact Andrew Battin of the U.S.
EPA's Office of Information Resources Management
(OIRM) at:
Andrew Battin
OIRM/IMSD
PM-211D
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C.
20460
NFP Report;
BARBADOS
Since thesonvening of the three-day conference for English-speaking National Focal Points (NFPs) of the
Caribbean region in Washington, June 12-14,1991, the Barbados NFP has had some staff changes. Ms. Daphne
Kellman has been assigned to another Ministry. The new Manager of the NFP is Ms. Vemese Inniss, Environmental
Education Officer. She is
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Belize and Ecotourism:
A Delicate Balance Between Growth and Exploitation'
Tourism has become a growing industry in
Belize, like in other parts of the world. However,
Belizean tourism by nature is unique in that it seeks
to preserve the environment while allowing access to
its rich natural heritage. Tourists visiting Belize
enjoy their vacation in a habitat which is natural,
exotic and welcoming.
As a developing country, Belize ensures that
suitable laws are formulated to promote the
healthiest form of tourism - Ecotourism.
Recognizing the integrated nature of tourism and
environmental concerns, the Belizean government
has created the Ministry of Tourism and the
Environment.
Ecotourism Supported By
the Government
The Hon. Glenn Godfrey,
Minister of Tourism and the
Environment, stated in a recent
interview:
When asked why environment has been added to
the Ministry of Tourism, the Minister wenf6n top
stress that the type pf tourism they need is'tjhe type that
would enhance the environment, and that tbetwo
departments would work w&l together. "M6st 6f the
decisions that would be takkh in tolirism halve £f'direct
effect on the environment. For example, how many
divers we want to allow on the reef, what t$p£ 6?
hotels we want, and what type of development we1''
want."
The Caribbean 'is firstConference on Etotpurism;
organized by the Government of Belize and the
Caribbean Tourism Organization, was held-m Belize
July 9th - 12th, 1991. Participants attended Ifdfli"
several Caribbean countries.
For more information about Ecotourism in
Belize, please contact Jaime Villanueva at
INFOTERRA/Belize.
Jaime Villanueva
INFOTERRA/BELIZE
infoterra
"V m
NATIONAL FOCAL POINT
"I think that our administration
emphasizes more development that is
consistent with protection of the
environment. "Hie type of tourism we
encourage is Eco-Tourism. We feel ,
that development which degrades the
environment is not really true
development. Therefore, we oppose
the development of large hotels in
certain environmentally sensitive
areas like on the Cayes and near the
Reefs and inland on forest reserves
and game reserves. Experience
shows that a huge amount of traffic is
bound to destroy the environment, to
destroy what makes the environment
unique, the very pristine state of its
natural product."
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The Government of Belize has begun "
publication of a journal focused on ecotourism.
The Belize Review
"News, Views & Ecotourism"
' '	V ,AJ
Belize Review Ltd.
WI Church Street
Belize City, Belize
Phone: (02) 74892 Fax: (02) 77786
The price for 12 Issues outside of Belize is $36
(U.S.). Within Belize, the price is $48 (Beiz).
V			)
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Environmental Activism in the Caribbean:
A Public-Private Partnership
Citizens of Belize take an active interest in
environmental issues. Governmental and non-
governmental organizations'work together to preserve the
precious envMmfient and restore damage when it occurs.
One example of this is the Clean-Up Campaign of
HalfmophCay.
On the weekend of Friday April 19 through Sunday
April 21,,.the Fisheries Depjirtipent, along with members
of the {ieli^e Audubon- Society, and representatives of the
Hoi Chan Marine Reserve, set put on a voyage to Half
Moon Cay to undergo a clean-up program for Earth Day.
The Half Moon Cay *Natural;Monument at ISghthouse
Reef wai established iri'Marbh-1982 as the first nature
reserve to be created under the National'PSrks System Act
of 1981.
Nine people participated in the clean-up and repair
activities aboard the Fisheries Research vessel,
"Lutjanus". Upon arrival, the grbup waS-divided into
teams and givenibeir assignments which included .
repairing the dock and picnic table,
cutting and clearing the trail
thai leads to the observation
deck, painting the ,t-
visitors center and,
most importantly,
collecting garbage and
other pollutants from the
beach. K total of 51 heavy duty
garbage bags were filled with
garbage and several hundred feet of rottep timber.
The excursion was not all work. There was also time
for fun including fisjting, snoikeling and water skiing.
Bird watchers on the expedition observed, red-footed
boobies and frigate birds in their nesting habitat
The trip not only got the beach clean, but also
strengthened the ties between governmental and non-

governmental environmentalists. The clean-
up program was sponsored by several Belize
City businessmen and the Government of
Belize.
Jaime VUlanueva
INFOTERRAIBelize
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BOOST TO COASTAL ZONE
MANAGEMENT IN JAMAICA
In a move designed to protect Jamaica's
marine resources, the Senate on Friday
November 11,1991 passed a bill entitled
"Exclusive Economic Zone Act".
This act seeks to encompass
beyond the existing 12 mile (19.3
KM) territorial sea, an additional 188
miles (302.5 KM) from the seaward
limit, thus extending the country's
territorial limit to 200 miles (321.8
KM).
The extension of territorial limits
will protect Jamaica's marine resources,
prescribe penalties for breaches of the acts
relating to coastal zone management, and
make provisions for further exploration and
exploitation of coastal resources in a
controlled manner.
For more information on coastal zone
management in Jamaica, please contact
Sharon O'Connor at INFOTERRA/Jamaica.
Sharon O'Connor
INFOTERRA/Jamaica
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Ecotourism in the News:
Following is a selection of recent articles on the
topic of ecotourism. If you would like to learn more
about ecotourism and its application in the
Caribbean, or if you would like copies of the
following articles, please contact INFOTERRA/
USA.
Bartlett, Ellen. "Ecotourism: Good and Bad Responsible
Tourists Make Choices That Help the Environment and
the People of the Countries That They Visit." Boston
Globe. August 11,1991. Section: Travel, Page: Al.
Bartlett, Ellen. "Ecotourism is the Best, Worst of Tripi
As Burgeoning Vacation Market Struggles for
Standards." Arizona Republic. October 27,1991.
Section: Travel, Page: T3.
Borcover, Alfred. "A Man With a Passion: Raising
Consciousness of Ecotourism." Chicago Tribune.
November 17,1991. Section: Travel, Page: 2.
Ebenau, Nicola. "Green Breaks for Belize." (ecotourism)
World Magazine. March, 1991. pp. 48-52.
"Ecotourism Keeps Parks Clean, Green." San Jose
Mercury News. August 4,1991. Section: Travel.
Page: 10T.
Hanson, Gayle. "Welcoming the Ecotourists."
(Dominica). Insight. September 16,1991. Vol. 7, No.
2. pp. 30-32.
Jones, Lisa. "Costa Rican Quest." BUZZWORM: The
Environmental Journal. September/October 1991.
Vol. 3. pp. 82-88.
Kutay, Kurt. "Ecotourism revisited." (Green Business)
BUZZWORM: The Environmental Journal. March-
April, 1991. Vol. 3. pp.91-93.
Otis, John. '"Ecotourism Takes Off in Belize Featuring
Sea, Jungle, Ancient Archaeological Sites." Los Angeles
Times. April 28,1991. Page: 8; .Pt. A - Col. 1.
Shaiman, G. K. "Ecotourism is the Hottest Travel Trend
of the '90s, But Are the Companies That Package Such
Tours Doing the Environment a Favor, or is this Just
Another Buzzword for Making A Fast Buck?"
Sacramento Bee. October 27,1991. Section: Travel,
Page:TRl.
infoteMi
informabon for a
BETTER ENVIRONMENT
Shoup, Mike. "South-of the Border Trends J rJBcDJxjurism
and Maya Sites." Philadelphia Inquirer.; March# 1,
1991. Sectiqn: Features Travel. Page; M03. ,
Shoup, Mike. "Ecotourism Push Extends to 'I^Mundo -
Maya* Tours." San Jose Mercury News. May 5,1991.
Section: Travel. Page:7T.
Silk, Steve. "Costa RicaJs Ecotburtsm Becoming Victim
of its Own Success." Pheenix^Gazette. September*!!,
1991. Section: Travel, Page: C2:-<-
Warner, Edward. "Ecotourism: New/Hope for
Rainforests?" American Forests. March/ApriJ'^1991.
Vol.97, pp.>37-46.
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For Your Information: t
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTRE
Located in Bonn, Germany, the Environmental Law
Centre (ELQ serves as on€"of th£"largest repositories W
environmental legislation in the world. ELC collets
environmental legislition and regulations worldwide and
makes the^^/s accessible to policy-makers; lesearchers
and environirehtalists.^
f '
ELC maintains the Ervyironmental Law Irifpijnation
System (ELIS) - a data bank on existing legal
instruments and a bibliography on international
environmental law. ELIS is updated on a constant basis
to ensure currency. The Environmental Law Centre is a
fee-based system whidh combines knowledge, expertise
and information to assist policy-makers in dr&fting 1
effective environmental legislation.
The ELC will respond to requests for information from
the governments of developing nations for technical legal
assistance in the field of environmental and conservation
legislation. Typical requests are for reviews of existing
legislation and for drafts of new legal instruments.
(continued on page 6)
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Environmental Law Centre
(continued from page 5)
Technical assistance is provided by recognized
experts in the field of environmental law.
Vistitors are assisted in research by ELC staff.
For more information concerning services and
assistance, please contact ELC at the following
address:
Environmental Law Centre
214 Adenauerallee
D-53 Bonn
GERMANY
Telephone: 49-228-269-2231
Fax: 49-228-269-2250
LINDA SPENCER LEAVES
INFOTERRA/USA
Linda Spencer recently left her
position with EPA as Manager of the
INFOTERRA/USA National Focal Point
to accept a position with the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Linda will serve as Deputy to the Director and Chief of the
Network Development Unit of the INFOTERRA Programme
Activity Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. We wish Linda success in her
new assignment
INFOTERRA/USA will continue to function as the Regional
Service Centre for the English-speaking Caribbean NFPs without
interruptioa Please continue to address any requests for
information or other communication to INFOTERRA/USA.
NFP ADDRESSES
Please notify the RSC of any changes or corrections.
Glenn Archer
Department of Environmental Health Services
P.O Box N-3729
Nassau, THE BAHAMAS
Phone:(809)322-4908 Fax:(809)426-8959
Ms. Vernese Innlss
Environmental Education Officer
Ministry of Labour, Consumer Affairs and
the Environment
Marine Houses Hastings
St. Michael, 29
BARBADOS
Phone: (809) 427-2326
Fax: (809)426-8959
Mr. Jaime Villanueva
Fisheries Department
Princess Margaret Drive
P.O. Box 148
Belize City, BELIZE
Telephone: 501-2^44552
FAX: 501-2-32983
Ms. Marguerite Blemur
Ministers de l'Agriculture et des Resources
Naturalles et du Development Rural
P.O. Box 1441
Port-au-Prince, Haiti W.I.
Telephone: 509-22-1867 FAX: 509-22-3599
Ms. Sharon O'Connor
Natural Resources Conservation Divison
Ministry of Finance, Development and Planning
531/2 Moylnes Road, P.O. Box 305
Kingston. JAMAICA
Telephone: (809) 923-5155 FAX: (809) 923-5070
Mr. John Husbands
Health Planner
Ministry of Health, Labour, Information
Broadcasting, and the Environment
Chausee Road
Castries, ST. LUCIA
Telephone: (809)453-1960 FAX: (809)453-1080
Ms. Mavis Taylor
Institute of Applied Science and Technology
University Campus
P.O. Box 101050
Georgetown, GUYANA
Telephone: 53922or 53829 Fax: 592-2-53042
INFOTERRA/USA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Headquarters Library
Room 2904, PM-211A
401 M Street, S. W.
Washington, D. C. 20460, USA
Telephone: (202) 260-5917 FAX: (202)260-3923
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