Over the next two-three years, the process to declare Turneffe Atoll a Marine Reserve was an arduous process involving more than 10,000 man hours of consultation. It came about through the hard work and commitment of Turneffe’s stakeholders including its fishermen, resort owners, the University of Belize, the Belize Coastguard and private landowners. Tourists also helped through monetary contributions.

The major output of the stakeholder consultations, which were guided by The Nature Conservancy through their Conservation Evaluation Process was the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve Management Plan for Turneffe Atoll. This plan has been hailed by most experts as the most comprehensive protect area Management Plan in Belize.

By the end of 2011 a very strong case had been made for protection of Turneffe Atoll. However, there remained two major hurdles to its designation as a Marine Reserve. One was the need for a senior figure within Government to champion the cause of Turneffe as a national priority. The second was financial sustainability; Belize has a great network of Marine Protected Areas but it is heavily dependent on international donors, because funding from entry fees and Government is insufficient. The first hurdle was overcome by the appointment in March 2012 of Lisel Alamilla as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development.

In her first few months in office, she took the time to learn about Turneffe, became convinced of its importance, and turned to BLUE Marine Foundation for help on the financing challenge. Alerted by the ecotourism expert, Costas Christ, BLUE had quickly grasped both the value of Turneffe and the potential for the financial barrier to be overcome by bringing The Bertarelli Foundation to the table. BLUE engaged its close associate Fauna & Flora International to undertake a short scoping study, which highlighted the opportunity to invest in conserving globally important marine biodiversity and enabling sustainable development.

The report confirmed the strength of the planning and preparation already undertaken, and focused its recommendations on investment in the financial and institutional sustainability of the proposed Reserve, as part of the national protected area system. With the scoping study findings in hand, BLUE was able to facilitate an understanding between the Government and The Bertarelli Foundation that, if the Ministry were to go ahead with its intention to designate the Marine Reserve, then the Foundation stood ready to provide the financial support necessary to make Turneffe Atoll a successful, sustainable Marine Protected Area. The way ahead was now clear, the Minister announced publicly the Government’s intention to protect Turneffe.