New Reef Currents Newsletter

This is the first issue of the newsletter “Reef Currents” produced by the Northern Marine Reserve Management Unit of Belize (NMRMU) and Hol Chan Marine Reserve Office. Through this initiative NMRMU seeks to improve communication with its stakeholder groups by informing them of current activities at our northern Marine Reserve and by encouraging them to participate through articles and letter. Northern Marine Reserve Management Unit of Belize encourages everyone to read its inaugural issue and to contribute positively to the development of the newsletter. The next issue is due in October as it will be produced quarterly. Northern Marine Reserve Management Unit of Belize expects contribution from readers for that issue, so feel free to send in your articles or comments to hcmr@btl.net. To get a copy of the newsletter (even electronic copy) you can contact the Hol Chan Office at 226-2247.

Breaking Scuba Dive World Record in Belize

On September 13, Illinois scuba diver Robert Silva will travel to Belize’s Ambergris Caye, where he will attempt to set a new world record for longest saltwater dive. To succeed, he will have to stay underwater for over 36 and a half hours. Silva, 31, initially set out to break the much longer freshwater record, which stands at about 120 hours.

The location of the dive was going to be Haigh Quarry, a former limestone pit in Kankakee, IL. In March, however, Silva received a call from Tina Haigh, the quarry’s owner. Haigh Quarry was withdrawing its offer to host the attempt. After searching for another site and “just hitting dead ends”, Silva received and accepted an offer to challenge the saltwater record at Ramon’s Village, a dive resort in Belize. For Silva, who completed his PADI Divemaster certification in Belize in 2005, it would be a return to familiar waters. (Read more on next week's issue of Ambergris Today)

Caye Caulker Tagged with Sexiest Beach

Caye Caulker has World’s Sexiest Beach

Travel website GoGirlfriend.com has named Caye Caulker, Belize as having one of the Top 3 World’s Sexiest Beaches. The website, which targets women who are looking for travel information, recently posted an article titled, “Sexy Getaways on 3 of the World's Sexiest Beaches - Paradise found on ultra sexy islands”, where it names our sister island of Caye Caulker as have one of the world’s sexiest beach. Below is what GoGirlfriend had to say about Caye Caulker, Belize:

“No more beating around the bush. Lounging on the beach, sipping margaritas equals heaven on earth. Finding a sexy beach is a good start, but I need one where I can shed inhibitions, mingle with the locals and rediscover why less truly is more. No exceptions.

Caye Caulker, Belize

It's a tiny island off the coast of Belize's beautiful barrier reef coast (one of the largest in the world). The island is so small that you'll only need your feet, bikes and golf carts to get around - which sweetens the morning commute from hotel to beach. Time slows down here, way down, and spending your days drinking Belkin Beer in your swimsuit (or not!) is your top priority.

Dive into the true charm of this island and book your lodging at one of the boutique hotels on the beach. The Treetops Guesthouse offers private balconies with ocean views - and rates start at less than $100/night.”

The other top two beaches named by GoGirlfriend.com were in Fernando D Noronha, Brazil and Anguilla.

US National Fined $1.7MIL for Reef Damage

U-S National David Lautner, whose catamaran destroyed a portion of the reef near Lighthouse Reef Atoll around May 2, 2007, was found guilty of recklessly causing a disaster that resulted in a loss of the environment when he appeared in court. Lautner was fined 1.7 million U-S dollars by Magistrate Ed P. Usher. He is to pay fifty thousand Belize dollars within two months and the balance over a period of five years. In his ruling, Magistrate Usher said that Lautner was guilty of the charge because he did not exercise due diligence while navigating the waters of Belize and that for that size of a vessel there should have been a pilot and sufficient crew members on board. The size of the reef that was destroyed measured 125 feet by 75 feet. Lautner was represented by attorney Lionel Welch while Douglas Carr represented the Department of the Environment. (from Love FM News)