Public Disclosure Authorized

Environmental Management Plan Public Disclosure Authorized IMPROVING THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN SARTENEJA THROUGH ITS WATER TAXI SERVICES Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Sarteneja Tour Guide Association Sarteneja Village, April 2016 Environmental Management Plan 2015

Table of Contents PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 3 PROJECT OBJECTIVES ...... 4 PROJECT ACTIVITIES ...... 4 EXPECTED RESULTS ...... 4 EXPECTED IMPACTS ...... 4 MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 6 MONITORING PROGRAM ...... 6 LINES OF RESPONSIBILITY ...... 7 CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION ...... 7 COST ESTIMATES AND SOURCES OF FUNDS ...... 7 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ...... 11

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Environmental Management Plan 2015

PROJECT DESCRIPTION Sarteneja is located on the north eastern tip of the mainland of and for many years was inaccessible by road. It has a population of approximately 2,500 and the primary economic activities are fishing, farming and tourism. The primary source of income in Sarteneja Village is from the sea – principally through traditional free diving for lobster, conch and finfish, but more recently, also through fly‐fishing and reef tourism. About 80% of the households fully depend on this industry which is also considered one of the primary stakeholders of the Belize Barrier Reef. As production and earnings from fishing continue to decline there has been a commensurate increase in tourism and farming. Increasing numbers of young people are also leaving the community for jobs in the larger urban centres, primarily , and . Transportation and travel costs are major challenges to the development of any locally based initiatives. Poverty assessment figures are just below the average for the Corozal district, but unemployment, particularly among the youths, continues to be above the national average.

In recent years there has been an increase in tourism related activities, primarily fly‐fishing and reef tours. Tourism is increasing as a potential income earner, with tours being done to a variety of destination, including archeological site, Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Shipstern Conservation and Management Area, and Chico National Park and Marine Reserve. Sarteneja has a great potential of becoming a tourism destination which could provide a variety of alternative livelihood other than reef fishing. Sarteneja has an increase of visits every year from tourists which is estimated to be from four-five hundred (400-500) per annum. Access is a major challenge because existing road and air services are poor and/or costly.

The Sarteneja Tour Guide Association (STGA) is a community-based organization which was registered on 23rd May, 2007 to represent the interests of tour guides based from Sarteneja. Currently, the organization consists of 33 members. These tour guides have benefitted from past participation in Alternative Livelihood initiatives targeted at providing traditional fishermen with training to enable a switch to an alternative sustainable income source - as tour guides. The organization is working towards facilitation of the economic shift of Sarteneja away from fishing, through promoting an environment for the development of sustainable, environmentally- aware tourism, in which the community can develop as a natural and cultural tourism destination, and in which local tour guides can be employed as an alternative to traditional fishing. Along with many other benefits the organization has established Sarteneja Adventure Tours as a tour company with a tour operator license, to increase the feasibility of tour guiding as a full time alternative for Sartenejan fishermen.

The goal of STGA is to increase the tourism visits of Sarteneja but in order to make this possible the association’s strategy is to provide a more reliable and less expensive means of transportation through its water taxi services. Additionally, a water-taxi service will benefit different sectors of

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Environmental Management Plan 2015 the community like hotels, restaurants, bars, and others through increased visitation; as well as benefitting students and people who need to commute daily to their workplaces in and around Corozal Town. This would enable these people to travel faster and cheaper towards their respectful destinations. In Sarteneja where availability of financing is limited and constricted to certain tourism and agricultural activities, attracting more farmers and fishers into the tourism industry can contribute significantly to livelihood security while lessening the stress to the forest ecosystems in the surrounding area and the marine. This project will provide the boat and equipment needed to get the water taxi service started.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES 1. Provide STGA with equipment and human resources needed to deliver improved and professional service to customers. 2. Build adequate capacity within young men and women in the community to provide tourism services and provide them with an alternate to traditional fishing. 3. Improve tourism infrastructure and marketing through the expansion and improvement of transportation service and renovation of the office for water taxi business.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

1. Provide reliable transportation for residents and tourists between Sarteneja and Corozal Town. 2. Provide a boat and equipment to be used as a water taxi. 3. Provide a trained crew to operate the boat and equipment. 4. Provide regular scheduled water taxi service between Sarteneja and Corozal Town. 5. Actively market the project so that the tour guide association can generate income transporting visitors to and from Sarteneja. 6. Create opportunities for members to provide marine tours to visitors to Sarteneja.

EXPECTED RESULTS The expected results include:

a) Increased and improved transportation and communication between Sarteneja and Corozal Town; b) Increased tourism in the Sarteneja area; c) increase in household incomes for those groups participating in the project; and d) increased economic activity in the Sarteneja community.

EXPECTED IMPACTS The expected impacts of the project are:

• Those related to recreational use of coastal natural resources; and

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Environmental Management Plan 2015

• Those related to boating activities.

In regards to the recreational use of coastal resources, the potential negative coastal environmental impacts would result from:

i. the presence of a high number of people on fragile ecosystems (in this case terrestrial and marine reserves), ii. pressure on limited local resources and increased invasion of natural areas, iii. loss of natural habitat, iv. Altered or distressed animal behaviour, v. Erosion, vi. introduction of non-indigenous species, vii. and illegal sub-aquatic fishing. In general terms, land degradation and land-use change, as well as habitat loss and different impacts and effects on biodiversity result directly from the construction of tourist facilities and infrastructure through the clearing of wetlands and the extraction of building materials.

The potential negative environmental impacts of boating activities include:

i. Release of Hydrocarbon and other substances, in the form of unburnt or incompletely burnt fuel, particulates and traces of oil, into the environment by the engines of recreational and commercial small crafts, particularly outboard engines. While it is estimated that this represents only a small share (2%) of overall hydrocarbon releases from land-based activities, it needs to be taken into consideration and adequately addressed. ii. Oil and bilge water discharge. Again this is a very small percentage but still needs to be addressed. iii. Noise pollution, particularly for aquatic animals. In accordance with standards, the authorized level of noise emitted by new engines has been limited since 2006. However, when operated at speed close to the shore, engine noise is perceived as a nuisance in sensitive areas such as beaches or natural protected areas. iv. Solid waste discharge into the sea. While this is a problem for larger vessels (merchant vessels, cruise ships, fishing vessels etc.), it is still a concern from small commercial and recreational vessels. v. Antifouling paints: they are used to prevent marine organisms developing on the surface of the hull. The broad spectrum biocide agents that they contain are normally toxic for the environment, but their use is regulated. vi. Physical damage to the environment: anchors and physical contact with the seabed can be harmful in ecologically sensitive areas. Public authorities are responsible for providing the necessary infrastructure (such as buoys) and guiding visitors, they should also prevent anchoring in sensitive areas.

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Environmental Management Plan 2015

MITIGATION MEASURES • Purchase and make proper use of four stroke outboard engines. The majority of four- stroke outboards feature sophisticated computer engine management systems and fuel injection for good performance across the power spectrum, low emissions, and high fuel economy. Very much like a car, the emissions from four stroke outboards are closely monitored and controlled. • Ensuring that the boat crew and clients engage in proper procedure and best practices for boating operation and safety. Boat crew will be expected to follow the proper procedure of safe operation, anchoring and docking. • Ensure that the bilge is discharged only in approved areas. It is expected that this will not be a major concern as the boat will be trailered at the end of every day. Discharges can then be done on land where it can be contained as opposed to discharging directly into the water. • Because of environmental health and safety standards that need to be met, all modern outboard engines go through a rigorous test for noise control. As a result, any engine purchased will be within the acceptable range for noise control. • Antifouling paints that meet the new environmental standards will be used on the hull of the boat. However, modern fiberglass techniques, such as gel coating, often preclude the need for antifouling treatments. • Strategically placing appropriate garbage containers throughout the vessel will reduce the incidents of passengers and crew throwing solid waste over the side. Passengers will also be reminded at the start of each trip that garbage should not be thrown over the side of the vessel. • All the tourism sites and protected areas in Belize have their individual standards for visitation and list of approved activities. These are sanctioned by the Forest and Fisheries Departments, BTB and Institute of Archaeology. Visitors to these sites are given a briefing before being allowed in and need to be accompanied by a licensed guide.

MONITORING PROGRAM The monitoring programme will be anchored by (i) the daily travel and boat logs for the water taxi, and (ii) the visitation rate for the Sarteneja area. Vessel crew will complete daily logs for boat and passenger movement. Logs will be reviewed at the end of each week by the person that is coordinating the water taxi service. Visitation to Sarteneja will be monitored through information collected from the local hotels and restaurants, and from BTB. This information will be reviewed monthly by the executive committee of the association which has responsibility for the proper implementation of the project. Where necessary, corrective action will be taken where necessary at every step in the process.

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Environmental Management Plan 2015

LINES OF RESPONSIBILITY The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the STGA is the final authority for all matters relating to the Association. The Managing Committee is responsible for the management of the affairs of the association. The Managing Committee reports to the AGM and all other bodies and individuals report to the Managing Committee. The STGA will hire a coordinator/manager to manage the project. This person will report to the Managing Committee and everyone working with the project will report to the coordinator/manager. The captain of the vessel is responsible for all aspects of operation and maintenance related to the vessel.

CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION In July of 2013 Dr. Roy Young, the consultant hired by BEST to do the baseline assessment and Project Orientation held two 1-day workshops in Sarteneja for residents of that community. At the meetings participants were informed about the project and encouraged to come up with ideas for projects that would be beneficial for the environment and which would generate income. Coming out of those meetings were suggestions for Processing of Fruits and Vegetables, Agriculture/Farming, Planting and Processing of Animal Feeds, Aquaculture (including tilapia farming). After further consultation with the community six project proposals were developed from concepts and these include: Tilapia farming, Water Taxi Service, Pig Rearing, Honey Production, Sewing and Jewelry making from Lionfish fins. Of the six, four were recommended for funding by the TAC.

The Water Taxi service is proposed by the Sarteneja Tour Guide Association which has its own set of protocols for dealing with meetings and consultations, and is outlined in their bylaws. BEST uses the traditionally accepted methods of requesting meetings at least a week in advance, ensuring a proper venue and convenient meeting time. No other consultation and participation mechanism was used. BEST continues to engage the association and the community in this manner. Meetings are conducted in both English and Spanish.

COST ESTIMATES AND SOURCES OF FUNDS The cost of putting in place the mitigation measures is already built into the budget so there is no need for additional budgeting for these activities.

Beneficiary

Contribution Line Item JSDF Total Existing New

Personnel (labor)

Captain (Full-time @ $ 800,00 per mth) 9,600 0 0 9,600

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Environmental Management Plan 2015

Co-Captain(Full-time @ $ 700,00 per mth) 8,400 0 0 8,400

Technical Consultant (BEST) 0 0 5,000 5,000

Project Coordinator (Part-time @$600.00per month) 0 7,200 0 7,200

Sub Total 18,000 7,200 5,000 30,200

Administration /Operational Expenses

Monthly internet Subscriptions (Installation $150.00+ 240 0 240 0 $90.00 per month) In-kind: (50 per month)

Utilities – phone=$50, electricity=$70 and water 35 ($155 1,860 0 1,860 0 per month)

Office building 0 18,000 21,600 3,600 In-kind: STGA own building

Office Equipment Maintenance at $45 per quarter In- 320 0 0 320 kind=80 per Qtr

Operational Costs $100/month In-kind: 50 per month 0 600 600 1,200

Sub Total 0 6,300 18,920 25,220

Equipment

Office Equipment-(2 office desk @ $1,000.00; 2 office chair 7,400 0 1,400 8,800 - $350 ; 2 file cabinet- $600,00; 1 computer - $2,400; 1 laptop-$1,000.00; printer - $350; 2 x 8 GB memory sticks - $160), Laminator Machine-$1,000.00. In-kind= 1 office desk 700, 1File Cabinet 500, 1 Printer 200

Marine GPS waterproof for Navigation 1,500 0 0 1,500

32 Lifejackets-18 @ $50.00 each In-kind-14 @ 45.00 each 900 630 0 1,530

2-100 lbs Anchor @ $500.00 In-kind: 1 spared anchor @ 1,000 600 0 1,600 $300.00

100,000 0 0 100,000 Four stroke 2-200hp YAMAHA outboard @ $50,000.00

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Environmental Management Plan 2015 each

Load Carrier 500 0 0 500

Fire extinguisher @ $150 150 0 0 150

First Aid Kite @ $500 500 0 0 500

Nylon Boat Anchor Line w/ Thimble 300 0 0 300

2 Ring Buoy @100 each 200 0 0 200

3 Fenders@ 100 each 300 0 0 300

Sub total 112,750 1,230 1,400 115,380

Materials

Promotional Items- Professional Advertisement-Posters, & 1,000 0 2,520 3,520 Flyers In-kind:design 7day X 8 people x $45 each

15 Uniforms at $25.00 each 375 250 2,520 3,145 In-kind:design 7day X 8 people x $45 each

Official Tickets- Boarding Passes-30 @ $50 each 1,500 50 2,520 4,070 In-kind:design 7day X 8 people x $45 each

Fuel Costs-1 Run-15gal X $15.00=$1575 total week 34,149 0 0 34,149

Sub total 37,024 300 7,560 44,884

Training

Tour guide training package for 25 people 0 0 10,800 10,800 In-kind: STGA coordination 4ppl x 60 days x $45

Sub total 0 0 10,800 10,800

Building construction

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Environmental Management Plan 2015

Acquiring of water Taxi Skiff-30 people capacity. 80,000 0 10,800 90,800 In-kind: 60day x 4ppl x $45 design /monitor process

Sub Total 80,000 0 10,800 90,800

Renovations

Water taxi maintenance per year, 0 0 5,400 5,400 In-kind: 30day x 4people x $45 monitor process

Jetty Material-Boarding deck-sand, steel, cement, gravel -0- 0 24,300 24,300 etc.In-kind:Labor $45 x 9 people x 2 months

Materials -Water Taxi Business Office, part of STGA main 10,000 0 2,700 12,700 Office In-kind: Labor 30 days x2 people x $45

Sub total 10,000 0 32,400 42,400

Other Costs

5 Meeting-Development of Advertisements- Flyers, Tickets and Banners: refreshments5day x100 per meeting; In-kind: 500 0 1,800 2,300 Design $45x 8ppl per 5days

Accommodation: $25 x 60 days & food In-kind:60days x 1,560 0 1,500 3,060 $25 per day

Coverage of Insurance Costs 700 1,000 0 1,700

Licenses +Tax expenses+Trade Licensing per annum 1,000 3,000 0 4,000

Sub Total 3,760 4,000 3,300 11,060

Contingency 11,000 0 0 11,000

TOTAL: 272,534 19,030 90,180 381,744

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Environmental Management Plan 2015

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION All activities associated with this project will fall within the following legislative frameworks:

Belize Port Authority Act – Chapter 233 and 233S

Belize Tourism Board Act - Chapter 275 and 275S

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