Stakeholders Raise Serious Concerns About the Management of Hol Chan Marine Reserve

On Tuesday evening, I attended a public stakeholder meeting hosted by Ambergris Citizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD), a coalition made up of representatives from across the island including the San Pedro Tour Guide Association, San Pedro Tour Operators, BTIA, the North Ambergris Alliance, Fishing guides, and Flats Fishing guides.

The meeting has one focus: the management of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the keystone of tourism on Ambergris Caye and a resource that supports thousands of livelihoods…our entire island. What emerged was deep concern about the politicization of Hol Chan and a lack of transparency on fundamental issues, including who currently sits on the Board of Trustees, why a 50 percent increase in park fees was deemed necessary in 2024, and how those additional funds are being used.

Why Hol Chan matters

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is arguably the most important economic engine on Ambergris Caye and one of the country’s most valuable tourism assets. Thousands of jobs, from tour guides and boat captains to hotels, restaurants, and small businesses, depend on a healthy, well-managed reserve. If Hol Chan is not properly protected, the long-term impact will be felt by every person in this community and, I would argue, across Belize’s tourism industry as a whole.

Our coast is already getting pummeled by outside forces like sargassum and trash…we need to work extra hard to protect what we can…not treat it so lightly.

Why this meeting happened

• Recently, there have been widespread rumors of financial impropriety (though this was not mentioned by the heads of the meeting), unconfirmed reports of a key board member’s resignation, and growing confusion around governance, prompting Ambergris Citizens for Sustainable Development to issue a public memo calling for information and transparency
• Ambergris Citizens for Sustainable Development has held multiple public meetings over the past few years to address serious concerns about the management of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve
• These meetings were prompted by major development and environmental impacts within or adjacent to protected areas
• Issues raised include the filling, dredging, and approved over-the-water structures (50+!) at Cayo Rosario, once considered, internationally, a premier fly fishing area (See Defend Cayo Rosario website from 6 years ago)

• Additional concerns include dredging and the construction of a barge landing at the edge of the Mexico Rocks Marine Reserve (Read: Emotional Public Meeting With No Elected Officials in Attendance: Dredging & Industrial Barge Landing at Mexico Rocks Marine Reserve from June 2025)
• Stakeholders have also raised alarm about the scale of destruction at the La Sirene site at the southern tip of the island
• At the same time, Belize is expanding marine reserves to meet its debt for nature and Blue Bond obligations, yet stakeholders question how new protected areas can be added when existing reserves are not being adequately protected
• This meeting was held to shine a light on perceived problems at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and to give stakeholders an opportunity to raise concerns publicly and on the record

Stewardship and protection responsibilities

The reason Hol Chan Marine Reserve exists, its number one responsibility, is to monitor and protect the marine areas under its care. This should include scientific studies, identifying threats, enforcing regulations, and acting as a safeguard when development pressures arise. By issuing “No Objection” letters for projects involving filling, dredging, and construction in or near protected areas, many stakeholders believe Hol Chan is failing to fulfill its most fundamental duty as a steward of the reserve.

Governance and accountability

The composition of the Board of Trustees is clearly laid out in the statutory instruments that govern the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Those laws require representation from key stakeholder groups connected to the reserve and its use. Concerns raised at the meeting centered on the belief that these statutory requirements are not currently being followed, and that the existing board does not reflect the structure mandated by law.

In addition, a board established under statute should not operate in secrecy. Board members should be publicly known and accountable to the groups they represent, with an obligation to report back and communicate openly. Without transparency and adherence to the governing laws, confidence in Hol Chan’s management and decision making continues to erode.

The Board of Trustees is tasked by law with making decisions on behalf of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Hol Chan is not a private organization and it is not meant to function as a political entity. It is a public trust, established under law, with a mandate to manage and protect the reserve in the interest of the stakeholders and the broader public.

Additional context and unanswered questions

Last week, the Minister addressed some of these concerns publicly, stating that there are no financial improprieties at Hol Chan and emphasizing that “facts matter”. (See response below at the end of this post)

If that is the case, stakeholders are asking why so much remains “in secrecy”. Why are the members of the Board of Trustees not publicly known and listed. Why are financial audits not available. And why has there been so NO direct engagement with the stakeholders who rely on the reserve every day. Three public meetings were held in 2025 to ask Hol Chan about these issues – and no board members or Hol Chan representatives attended. None.

Closing Summary

The concerns raised at this meeting were not abstract or theoretical…not about what might happen in the future. They reflect what stakeholders are already seeing on the water, along the shoreline, and in the decisions being made about some of the most sensitive marine areas in the country.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve exists to protect these places, and its current and long-term credibility depends on transparent governance, lawful decision-making, and active stewardship. This disconnect is seen as particularly galling at a time when the Government of Belize is promoting a Blue Economy and its commitment to protecting natural resources, both locally and on the world stage.

At the end of the meeting, San Pedranos stood up to speak. They asked whether the island can recover from what they are seeing, said plainly that the community needs to be vocal, and questioned how Belize can expand marine reserves under the Blue Bond mandate if it cannot adequately protect the reserves it already has.

Ambergris Citizens for Sustainable Development and those in attendance are asking that the Minister, along with Hol Chan’s management and Board of Trustees, meet directly with stakeholders to explain the decisions being made on behalf of the community and to answer the questions that remain.

Minister Perez’s Response via Facebook on December 12:

Minister Andre Perez Rejects False Allegations and Highlights Hol Chan Marine Reserve’s Recovery

Belize City, Belize — The management of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve categorically rejects recent allegations as false, unfounded, and irresponsible. Since assuming oversight in November 2020, there has been no embezzlement, misappropriation, or misuse of funds at Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

All financial operations are conducted in accordance with established governance, oversight, and audit procedures. Any claims to the contrary are deliberately misleading and unsupported by evidence. Those making such allegations are challenged to present verifiable facts, rather than engage in speculation for political mileage. These attempts unfairly undermine the dedicated professionals who have worked diligently to restore and strengthen the institution.

When the current administration took responsibility for Hol Chan Marine Reserve in November 2020, it inherited an organization on the brink of bankruptcy, burdened by widespread debt, including personal loans to staff that remain unrecovered.

Five years later, Hol Chan has undergone a remarkable turnaround. The reserve has been financially stabilized, rebranded, and revitalized, and now stands as a model marine reserve recognized for effective management and sustainability. As part of its recovery and diversification efforts, new revenue streams have been introduced, including a modern and successful gift shop, further strengthening the reserve’s financial resilience.

The facts are clear. Hol Chan Marine Reserve today is stronger, solvent, and thriving.

“Facts matter.”