Film Highlights Effort to Balance Conservation and Development.
By Costa del Mar
In the new film, Currents of Belize, award-winning filmmaker Bradley Beesley follows Abby Marin and Lincoln Westby as they navigate the tension between the country’s commitments to protecting its natural resources versus protecting its human resources. Perhaps nobody is experiencing these changes more intimately than Abby and Lincoln; fly fishing guides who spend their days out on the flats chasing the elusive permit.
Belize, a country often referred to as “Mother Nature’s best kept secret,” is exploding with new economic life as tourists flock to its coast. Yet, as developers rush to keep up with demand, some feel they are destroying the very thing that brings the tourists and their money in; the sea and all its many creatures.
Currents of Belize seeks to shine a light on the potentially devastating development issues facing the Central American country, as well as focus on the pristine beauty of the area and its culture. This moving documentary, seen online at www.currentsofbelize.com, begs the questions: How much is too much when it comes to tourism and development in Belize? And at what cost will it have on the area?
“We’ve had the good fortune to spend some time fishing for permit in Belize, and it’s home to the best flats fishing on the planet,” said Al Perkinson, vice president of marketing at Costa sunglasses. “You see this paradox being created there, in that the more people come there to fish, the higher chance the area has of depleting its natural resources and eliminating a livelihood for generations of fishermen.
Will condos, golf carts and foreign money force the soul of a country that lives and dies by the water into submission? Time will tell. For now, this film sheds light on an important issue affecting Belizeans, and tries to open up the lines of communication before it’s too late. To learn more, visit www.currentsofbelize.com
