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Experts
Discuss
Belize Marine Biodiversity 
Some of the World's top marine
scientists are meeting in Belize City
this week to review the status of the country's marine biodiversity and
the potential impacts that oil exploration and drilling could have on
the local marine ecology. The University of British Columbia's
Fisheries center and its "Sea Around Us Project," in partnership with
Oceana Belize, are hosting the two-day Marine Conference today and
tomorrow, at the Biltmore Hotel. Jim McFadzean was at the opening this
morning and has this report.
Jim McFadzean Reporting:
Oceana along with its international partners keep upping the ante in its efforts at keeping oil drills at bay from Belize's pristine coastal waters. And so it's no surprise that at this two day marine conference, intending to share the important works of both local and international scientists and researchers on the country's marine assets, that one of the major concerns being discussed, is how an oil spill would affect the region's rich biodiversity. 
Dr. Daniel Pauly -
Principal Investigator, Sea Around Us
Project
"This marine biodiversity, from which Belize derives considerable benefits in the form of tourism and fisheries, is at risk, but really, people should know that before they decide to encourage an industry that is risky, and that will not bring so many jobs as people think." The government is yet to be swayed by this type of international pressure. However, even some of the experts attending this conference today, agree, there are significant benefits to be derived from oil drilling, as long as that drilling doesn't happen not offshore. 
Dr. Frank Kirkwood, a Petroleum
Engineer and Economics Consultant, is a
former BP employee. He says Belize's economy could double in the next
ten years based solely on onshore drilling. In the case of offshore
drilling, the benefits could be considerably more, except with one
caveat, it will come at a high price.
Dr. Frank Kirkwood,
Petroleum Engineer and Economics
Consultant
"In my view, onshore drilling can go ahead in sort of normal areas, but in places that are especially of value to you for the environmental impact onshore, then actually, its best not to drill in those places because of the risk being that you damage those areas, and they are very special to you." Jim McFadzean "You would say, and continue to agree that offshore drilling should be a no? Well, any type of offshore drilling" Dr. Frank Kirkwood "Well, as I said in my presentation, in Belize - I'm talking about the situation in Belize now, not the situation worldwide - but in Belize, a lot of your economy, and a lot of the jobs, and a lot of everybody's livelihood depends currently on your marine environment. And therefore, it's very special - perhaps it's the most special marine environment that I've ever sort of been in a country. And I think, to do off-shore drilling, and to take significant risks today with that marine environment, is not worth it for the long-term price." Despite the cold shoulder treatment it's been getting from both the government and those in the oil industry, Oceana says it is pressing on with its educational campaign, maintaining its opposition to offshore drilling. 
Audrey Matura - Shepherd -
VP, Oceana
"We find that we have many areas we can persuade the Government that off-shore oil drilling should not be done, because it is a danger to our marine resources. But I think that one of the most compelling areas can be the scientific area, where these scientists, as you've heard some of them - and you can talk with some of them - they will tell you the facts as it is." The conference ends tomorrow, and on Friday the group of international scientists will be taken on a trip to the Turneffe Island. The Sea Around Us project was created to document large-scale impacts on marine ecosystems of the world, and to find solutions to the challenges they pose. CH7 What is
The Belize Design Market?
The Institute of Creative Arts
is taking on a new initiative to
guide interested artist and designers in developing new authentic
Belizean designed items for product development and export.
On July 5th to the 8th Belize will hosts its first ever Belize design Week which will include a forum and a fashion show. The initiative is to highlight handmade Belizean designs. Creative Industry development officer, Jackie Castillo told us more. 
Jackie
Castillo
-
Creative
Industry Development Officer
"Starting next week Tuesday, for the first time, Belize is having what we call, Belize Design Week, and basically the idea is to identify locally-made products that are created by Belizean Designers, and give them an opportunity to show case their work. As well as introducing them to the Belizean public, especially people who would be interested in buy some their items. Belize Design Week is going to be from July 5 - 8, and each day within next week, we're going to be having some activities. We start with the Belize Design Forum on Tuesday, and we're bringing in a Caribbean designer by the name of Robert Young, who has been involved in creating designs for about 20 years. And we're also going to be offering opportunities about quality assurance when making Belize products, how to market, who to price your product, and as well, how to develop your product for local and international sale." For more information you can call the institute of creative arts at telephone number 2-2-7-2-1-1-0. CH7 Creative Camps For Youths
The institute of creative arts
is hosting a summer camp for children
across the country who are interested in the Arts. It includes singing,
dancing, painting, drama, piano and keyboard lessons, fashion design
and jewelry making. The Camp will last for 2 months and will cater for
children 7 years and older. Today, 7news spoke with the coordinator,
Joseph Stamp Romero.
Joseph Stamp Romero -
Summer Arts Coordinator, ICA
"This year, we're doing summer programs in voice, drama, dance, piano, and fashion design; that's in the districts - In the Belize District. Other districts have their own programs going on, that has their various disciplines going there. With the fashion design, for example, we have Dayna Brown, and she is with our Design Wing, and we will be coming in to do a fashion workshop, from July 18 - 22. So that will be at the House of Culture, so people can come and learn the introduction to fashion design, through Dayna Brown. Frankie Reneau will be back working with the students on piano. Kellie Cadogan, from Barbados, will be doing her voice lesson with persons that she had last year. And also, in drama, the Theatre Company - the Belize Theatre Company- will be working with students in drama. the Belize Dance Company will be working - will be doing a special workshop in dance. The idea is to expand, to make the summer arts a little more exciting. There are so many different areas that you can expand to, and how you can improve the arts. And I think these are some of the ideas that came up, and we wanted to make sure that we have different things going on to grab more interests of more people. So, I think that those are some of the things that we looked at and said, 'Okay, these are some the things that we can add to these programs to make it a much more exciting summer." For additional information and registration forms you can go to www.nichbelize.org or you can call telephone numbers 2-2-7-2-1-1-0 or 2-2-7-2-4-5-8. The Muslim Community of Belize is also having a summer camp for children July fourth to the fourteenth at no cost - registration will be on Friday. CH7 NOTICES &
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Scheduled Power
Outage:
Friday, July 1st, 7AM to 11AM- Entire San Pedro area
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