After being listed as endangered in 2009, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS) was removed from UNESCO’s World Heritage Center list of “World Heritage in Danger” last month. The decision was made by the World Heritage Committee during their 42nd annual meeting in Manama, Bahrain.

The BBRRS was listed as endangered due to a variety of threats including unsustainable tourism development on many island and cayes, as well as news of possible oil and gas activities. These were found to be threats to the already fragile ecosystem.

The World Heritage Committee gave Belize credit for the safe guarding measures that created the historic conservational victory. The country introduced a ban on oil exploration along the maritime zone of the country in 2017 and strengthened forestry regulations to better protect the mangroves.

The BBRRS joined the World Heritage List in 1996 and is the second largest coral reef. It is the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere with offshore atolls, hundreds of sand cayes, mangrove forests, and coastal lagoons and estuaries.

It is considered a significant habitat for several threatened species including the green, hawk-billed and loggerhead sea turtles, the West Indian Manatee, and the American marine crocodile. The Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center says the removal of the BBRRS from the list is a pivotal moment for the World Heritage Convention and oceans.

What an amazing victory! Be sure to share this good news with your family and friends.