Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Marine Park Needs Funds

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

TEGUCIGALPA, Oct 6 2002 (IPS) - The Honduran government plans to launch an international fundraising campaign to create a marine park around the paradise-like islands of Bahía, in the Caribbean, which form part of the world's second largest coral reef, after the Australian Great Barrier Reef. Although the islands, 350 km north of Tegucigalpa, could bring in important tourism revenues, “it is essential to seek a balance that protects the marine resources,” says Thierry de Pierrefeu, Minister of Tourism.

The government hopes to begin an environmental education plan for the Hondurans living on the islands among the sea treasures. The government of Spain and the Inter-American Development Bank have pledged to support the initiative for three years beginning in 2003