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Project for Environmental Protection and Maritime Transport Pollution Control in the Gulf of Honduras ENVIRONMENTAL DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS (EDA) GULF OF HONDURAS The Environmental Diagnostic Analysis (EDA) of the area of the Gulf of Honduras is the result of a process of 50identification and analysis of problems that constitute the “current state” of the situation. The EDA represents for the different stakeholders who interact at the different levels of the life dynamics of in the area of the Gulf of Honduras, the informative framework which allows Access to knowledge, sensibilization and conclusions which will be of use for decision-makers of the region to secure the development of the economies, the protection of their valuable natural resources and the progress of the inhabitants. Image No.1: Tourism activity in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala Source: Gulf of Honduras Project © Project for Environmental Protection and Maritime Transport Pollution Control in the Gulf of Honduras. GEF-BID-COCATRAM-CCAD Environmental Diagnostic Analysis (EDA) Document No. PGH-001 Frontpage images: Gulf of Honduras Project. These present the both the natural landscape of the Gulf of Honduras as the logic of the EDA preparation process. Inside photos: Gulf of Honduras Project. They relate to the different dynamics of the area of the Gulf of Honduras and the activities undertaken during the preparation of the SAP. This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or other, provided the source is credited. August 2011 CONTENT Presentation Foreword Institutional Framework for the EDA 1. Introduction 2. Study Area 3. General characteristics of the study area 3.1 Physical and Bio-chemical framework A. Temperature B. Precipitation or water fall on terrestrial surface C. Characterization of the drainage basin D. Characterization of the coast line E. Characterization of ecosystems 3.2 Pollution framework A. Environmental prospective campaign 3.3 Socio – economic frame A. Main social and urban aspects B. Basic economic aspects 3.4 Priority Problems A. Water availability B. Pollution C. Loss and modification of habitats and communities 3.5 Emerging problems A. Climate change B. Non-sustainable development of marine and coastal areas 3.6 Particular problems associated to port and maritime activities and operations A. Port operations B. Dredging activities C. Maritime navigation and transport 3.7 Environmental and socio – economic impacts 3.8 Causal Chain Analysis 3.9. Legal Framework A. National legislation 3.10 Current Status of the Gulf of Honduras Glossary Presentation The Gulf of Honduras is part of the western Caribbean Transport Pollution Control in the Gulf of Cayman Basin. It includes Amatique Bay, the entire Honduras - GEF-BID-COCATRAM-CCAD, the Caribbean coast of Guatemala, eastern coast of Environmental Diagnostic Analysis (EDA) has Honduras and the southern part of the Belize Barrier been developed as a result of a research process Reef. Its regional environmental problems are due to using recognized methodologies. The EDA the oceanography of the water body. The prevailing constitutes a technical-scientific tool oriented to direction of the currents varies with the seasons and provide information, generate knowledge and make contributes to the interconnection of waters in Belize, significant agreements in its adoption and help Guatemala and Honduras. There is a persistent governments and countries involved to address counter-clockwise current along the coast, particularly identified problems on a priority, strategic and off the coast of Belize. This reverse flow of coastal consensual basis and, from there, support measures water is most pronounced during the summer months, to generate a positive change of the current when combined with the currents created by the conditions that are affecting the region's natural winds. During the winter months, the trade winds can resources, reducing the causes and potential threats cause coastal upwelling off the coast of Honduras with exerting pressure on the health of the marine system, its current westward along the coast. seriously compromising their sustainable development. As a result of these prevailing oceanographic wind currents, the region of the Gulf is highly susceptible to The acceptance and use of the EDA as a tool for point pollution spreading over great distances in the systematization of the reality of the Gulf of Honduras, three countries. As maritime traffic and port operations requires and attitude of responsibility and continue to increase in the Gulf of Honduras and commitment of all actors and social, economic and beyond, the potential for catastrophic accidents and political sectors interacting in the dynamics of life in marine pollution increases. Furthermore, rivers flowing the area of the Gulf of Honduras. It is and should a into the Gulf drag increasingly larger loads of shared responsibility of the states of Belize, sediment and pollutants, which are carried by the Guatemala and Honduras, their governments, civil currents through the marine boundaries. society, private sector, communication media, academia, international cooperation and of each and Consequently, the environmental protection of the every men and women with conscience of the need Gulf, particularly the prevention and control of to influence the reduction of the negative impacts pollution, requires a strategic approach in which caused by pollution and contribute to a better and actions are directed at addressing the main sources, sustainable use of natural and environmental monitoring trends and build lasting and sustainable resources available in the area of the Gulf of schemes for regional cooperation for the management Honduras and thereby achieve an improvement in the of the Gulf. In this sense, in the framework of the quality of life of "today" and of "tomorrow". Project for Environmental Protection and Maritime Ing. Mariano Vásquez Ing. Edas Muñoz Galeano Lic. Otto Noack Sierra President Pro-Tempore Director Executive Director COCATRAM Gulf of Honduras Project COCATRAM Prologue The region of the Gulf of Honduras is highly susceptible to point pollution spreading over great distances in the three countries (Belize, Guatemala and Honduras). As maritime traffic and port operations continue to increase, the potential for accidents and marine pollution increases. Likewise, rivers flowing into the Gulf drag increasingly larger loads of sediment and pollutants, which are then carried by the currents. To contribute to the attention to the problems of the Gulf, this document on the Environmental Diagnostic Analysis (EDA) was prepared, to constitute a tool that provides valuable insight of the biophysical and socio - economic situation of the Gulf of Honduras. It includes, in summary, technical and scientific information produced from thorough research, which used methods to ensure the quality of results and also includes an important variety of work areas and specialties, field and laboratory analysis, data, maps and other. The environmental diagnostic analysis covers issues related to the physical and biogeochemical framework, the framework of pollution related to water, sediment and biota, the socio-economic priority issues identified in terms of water availability, pollution, loss and modification of habitats and communities and unsustainable exploitation of marine and coastal areas, emergent problems from climate change and unsustainable development of marine and coastal areas, particular problems associated with port and maritime activities and operations, the causal chain analysis that runs through the relations of cause - effect, associated with each priority problem from environmental and socio - economic impacts to its root causes, the legal framework and the current status of the Gulf of Honduras. The contents of the document is presented in a simple and orderly way, respectful of technical and scientific rigor, to facilitate understanding and encourage decision making and the execution of actions by different actors involved directly and indirectly in the dynamics of life in the Gulf of Honduras. The origin of this document is linked to the Project for Environmental Protection and Maritime Transport Pollution Control in the Gulf of Honduras (Gulf of Honduras Project), executed by the COCATRAM y co-executed by the CCAD through the Regional Program Coordination Unit (URCP). INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS Central American Commission on Maritime Transportation (COCATRAM) COCATRAM is a specialized agency that is part of the institutions of the Central American Integration System (SICA), which is of permanent nature, and has its own directory based in Managua, Nicaragua. Legally, COCATRAM is based on REMITRAN Resolution V-3-87, establishing its constitution and operation. Members of COCATRAM are: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. The Directorate of COCATRAM is in charge of a Board, with the participation of public and private sector. COCATRAM addresses matters relating to maritime and port development in Central America. Its main function is to advise the Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation in Central America (COMITRAN) and member governments to adopt policies and decisions in order to achieve a harmonious development of the sector to meet the needs of the countries' foreign trade in terms of quality, economy and efficiency of maritime transport and ports, to protect