BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – The US-based Oceana says it welcomes the signing into law the Referendum (Amendment) Bill 2023, which expands the circumstances in which a referendum must be held to include any proposed amendment or repeal, whether expressed or implied, of the Petroleum Operations (Maritime Zone Moratorium) Act.
Oceana, which describes itself as the most significant international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation, says the provisions of the amended legislation will also be for any proposed legislation affecting the carrying on of petroleum operations within the limits of the maritime zone of Belize.
Last Thursday, Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam consented to the legislation published in the official Gazette on November 11.
Oceana said this amendment is a direct response to the voices of 22,090 Belizean voters who called for legislative amendments requiring a referendum should the government contemplate lifting the moratorium on offshore oil exploration.
It said the amendment had laid the foundation for a profound shift in people’s participation in our Belizean democracy.
“The consistent actions of the Belizean people have led to this pivotal achievement of people power. We commend the Briceno administration for exerting leadership on this national issue and recognizing the importance of the people’s participation in decision-making around a precious resource – our Caribbean Sea”, said Janelle Chanona, Belize Vice President, Oceana.
“We look forward to promoting this exemplary achievement as an example for the rest of the world to follow,” she added.
Oceana has been campaigning to prevent oil exploration here since 2010, when a map was released by the Geology and Petroleum Department confirming that massive oil exploration concessions had been granted throughout the country, including in marine reserves and national parks.
It has been argued that offshore drilling of this magnitude would be devastating to Belize’s tourism and fishing industry, marine food security, and the viability of coastal communities. Oceana also believes the process should be transparent, with input from all relevant parties and the general public.
In December 2011, The Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage through Oceana triggered the referendum for offshore oil exploration and drilling by delivering over 18,000 signatures to the Governor General’s office.
In February 2012, approximately 30,000 Belizeans voluntarily turned up to 51 polling stations across the country to make their position on offshore oil exploration in Belize known, an event now known as ‘the People’s Referendum.’
According to the results of that poll, 96 percent of the people voted “no” to offshore oil drilling in Belize’s waters.
In May 2015, the Belize government withdrew its appeal against Justice Oswald Legall’s April 2013 legal ruling that oil concessions are null and void and ruled in favor of Oceana, COLA. The Belize Coalition, in their lawsuit challenging six (production-sharing agreements allowing offshore oil drilling.
Oceana said that by this withdrawal, the government demonstrated its commitment to protecting marine resources and Belizean livelihoods.
In December 2017, the Belize parliament unanimously approved the Petroleum Operations (Offshore Zone Moratorium) Bill 2017, which placed an indefinite moratorium on offshore oil in Belize’s marine territory.
In its latest statement, Oceana quotes Prime Minister John Briceno as saying that his administration and himself “remain resolute in our commitment to safeguarding our shared natural heritage.
“We emphasize that any change to the existing prohibition of offshore petroleum operations will only happen with the overwhelming support of Belizeans through a national referendum.
“The amendment is a testament to cooperation and collaboration in protecting our invaluable natural resources,” he added.
The statement said the government and Oceana in Belize “remain mutually committed to meaningful engagement to focus on the many marine conservation challenges that require immediate collaborative action.”
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