Last week, South Silk Caye made headlines after an attempt to save it went haywire. Dozens of residents from Placencia headed out there to try and build a break wall, only to be stopped by the Coast Guard, who threatened to arrest the group's leader, Eworth Garbutt.
Since then, both the Minister of Sustainable Development and the Fisheries Department have emphasized that while the initiative was to be applauded, it shouldn't have been done in that manner. According to them, it would have been better for the environment if they had gone through the proper procedures.
But the tourism stakeholders whose livelihoods depend on that Caye aren't having it. And this weekend, they went out again on a more educational visit. They were joined by the area rep of Stann Creek West, Rodwell Ferguson, as well as the chairlady of Placencia and Vice Chairman of Seine Bight, all of whom supported the initiative.
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Area Rep., Stann Creek West "I reached here this morning, maybe about a quarter to nine, and I see what has materialised over a period of years, and last week you all tried to attempt to figure how you can fix it. That was a good initiative because what you did, you got the awareness of the government, to say, government, you need to do something urgently. So when I went to Cabinet last week, I told Cabinet that this is an urgent matter and the Minister of the Blue Economy, Andre Perez, was instructed to meet with you guys quickly and figure how we can proceed so I go back to Cabinet on Monday and I will tell them this is my second time I'm going to Cabinet again, please address the situation quickly."
"When I realised the amount of tour operators and tour guides who used this spot on a daily basis, it is significant and so we have to restore back Silk Caye to the livelihoods of our tour guides."
Ilsa Villanueva, Chairlady, Placencia "If we do a survey of most hotels, they would tell you that 90% of their guests want to come to Silk Caye and imagine years ago it looked beautiful. So Placencia Village Council really supports the efforts and all of us couldn't be here last week, but we're here today to show support here."
Kirwin Ramirez, Vice Chairman, Seine Bight "This is our island and the only way we can take care of this is if we all come together and unite and make a change. I saw this on pictures and I was blessed to see that not only people from Placencia but people from all over, they care about this island, they're able to come here today and last week and they don't talk, they make action, and that's what we need to do, less talking and more action."
And in a weekend joint release by the Fisheries Department and Southern Environment Association - who are the co-managers of Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, they applauded the interest that has been displayed regarding the erosion of South Silk Caye. They acknowledge the coastal erosion affecting South Silk Caye and the other coastal parts of the country and believe in joining together to, quote, "pursue a course of action that will bring collaboration and a direction that is environmentally sound, people-powered and in accordance with the law; we can derive results that can be positive and holistic in its benefits." End quote.
As such, they will be hosting a meeting with all the relevant parties to develop and agree on the way forward. Details of this meeting will be announced at a later date.
The opinions and views expressed on this board are the subjective opinions of Ambergris Caye Message Board members and not of the Ambergris Caye Message Board its affiliates, or its employees.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
Last week, South Silk Caye made headlines after an attempt to save it went haywire. Dozens of residents from Placencia headed out there to try and build a break wall, only to be stopped by the Coast Guard, who threatened to arrest the group's leader, Eworth Garbutt.
"I reached here this morning, maybe about a quarter to nine, and I see what has materialised over a period of years, and last week you all tried to attempt to figure how you can fix it. That was a good initiative because what you did, you got the awareness of the government, to say, government, you need to do something urgently. So when I went to Cabinet last week, I told Cabinet that this is an urgent matter and the Minister of the Blue Economy, Andre Perez, was instructed to meet with you guys quickly and figure how we can proceed so I go back to Cabinet on Monday and I will tell them this is my second time I'm going to Cabinet again, please address the situation quickly."
Ilsa Villanueva, Chairlady, Placencia
"This is our island and the only way we can take care of this is if we all come together and unite and make a change. I saw this on pictures and I was blessed to see that not only people from Placencia but people from all over, they care about this island, they're able to come here today and last week and they don't talk, they make action, and that's what we need to do, less talking and more action."
