Turneffe’s Ecological Assets
Detailed Economic Rationale for Protecting Turneffe’s Environmental Assets
Turneffe Atoll Trust has concentrated significantly on identifying the economic benefits of environmental conservation, and making the “economic argument” whenever possible. We understand that decision makers must make decisions that benefit their constituents and they must consider jobs and other economic impacts. To a large extent, we have demonstrated that Turneffe’s significant economic value is associated with its substantial ecological resources and that protecting it’s environmental assets makes good economic sense. This is not always readily apparent to decision makers and TAT’s efforts have often been directed toward this need.
Turneffe Atoll Economic Analysis
This is a summary analysis by Dr. Anthony Fedler of the Turneffe’s significant economic sectors including tourism and commercial fishing, but also including it’s substantial value in providing storm protection for Central Belize, including Belize City.
Turneffe Atoll Economic Analysis
Turneffe Atoll Economic Analysis-Executive Summary
TURNEFFE’s ATOLL STORM MITIGATION VALUE
Turneffe Atoll’s location immediately in front of Central Belize and Belize City makes it crucial for preventing damage from tropical storms and hurricanes. This study analyzed shoreline protection values related to Turneffe’s coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds indicating the substantial financial loss for Belize if these essential habitats are degraded. The below analysis summarizes these impacts.
TURNEFFE’s TOURIsM VALUE
High value, low impact sustainable tourism has been the hallmark of Turneffe Atoll tourism industry for decades. Activity-based tourism focuses on nature-based activities - primarily Scuba Diving, Flats Fishing and Marine Ecotourism, all of which depend directly upon the environmental health of Turneffe’s reefs, mangroves, backreef flats and seagrass beds.
This analysis by the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) entitled Balancing Sustainable Tourism and Commercial Fishing in a Marine Protected Area (MPA) summarizes pertinent activities and their economic impacts. These values
Balancing Sustainable Tourism and Commercial Fishing in a Marine Protected Area (MPA)-Full Report
BELIZE’s FLATS FISHING VALUE
A major part of Turneffe’s tourism industry relates to saltwater flats fishing with Turneffe Atoll being one of only a few places in the world where anglers can catch (and release) the flats fishing Grand Slam - a bonefish, permit and tarpon in one day.
Much of this fishing is done on the atolls extensive and somewhat unique firm-bottomed backreef flats, which extend along most of its seaward side. The studies below quantify the value of this type of fishing for Belize and Turneffe is one of the countries major flats fishing locations.
The original analysis was done in 2007, revealing an economic impact of $56 million BZD annually and 1,800 full-time jobs related to bonefish, permit and tarpon. This led to the passage of Belize’s Catch & Release Law in 2008.
A follow-up study done in 2013 showed that the economic impact of flats fishing in Belize had increased substantially to $112 million BZD annually.
2013 Economic Impact for Flats Fishing in Belize
TURNEFFE’s BLUE CARBON VALUE
Turneffe encompasses nearly 6,500 hectares of mangrove forest, more than 36,000 hectares of seagrass beds and 4,195 hectares of coral reef which hold substantial concentrations of carbon - so called Blue Carbon. Turneffe’s Blue Carbon stores are yet another natural asset directly related to preserving the atoll’s environment.
The Value of Turneffe Atoll Blue Carbon