Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015. BMG: A press release issued by OCEANA yesterday, commended the Government of Belize (GOB) for announcing the permanent ban on offshore oil exploration along the Barrier Reef system and within seven of the country’s World Heritage sites, 
stating that: “this is a tremendous step forward for Belize and its people, as our entire marine area is now protected from offshore oil hazards.”
The release continues by stating that GOB’s decision reflects recognition of what Belizeans have been asking of government for years, and that the future will reveal more reasons why we should never risk our unique resources by exploring offshore oil.
It continues to state that OCEANA Belize is looking forward to reviewing details of the Barrow administration’s plans, especially as it relates to the Turneffe Marine Reserve and Port Honduras Marine Reserve, which were not named in the GOB release.
OCEANA is also looking forward to contributing towards efforts of the Ministry of Petroleum’s mandate to keep our country’s marine resources protected in case the moratorium is ever lifted.
The release ends by stating, “Oceana Belize takes this opportunity to thank the tens of thousands of Belizeans who continue to support the common cause of protecting our marine resources. Belizeans must remain active and proactive in this process. That is the only we can determine the future of the people and places that make us who we are.”