NEVERLAND

neverland neverland

neverland neverland

by Joseph Ballarini

In 2018, YouTube blogger Matthew Patrick hypothesized that Turneffe Atoll, Belize, is Peter Pan’s fictional Neverland. Utilizing information from the novel and movie, his theory links the geography, wildlife, and historical characters of Neverland to Turneffe Atoll.

Others have speculated that Turneffe is the exact geographical location of the Fountain of Youth. While you may not find the Fountain of Youth at Turneffe, you will find acres of turquoise-blue water, healthy coral reefs teeming with life, acres of pristine mangrove forest, and miles of gorgeous, wadable flats.

Approximately 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, Turneffe Atoll is located in the only English-speaking country in Central America. Thirty miles by boat from Belize City, Turneffe is the largest and most biologically diverse coral atoll in the Caribbean, and one of three coral atolls in Belize.

The Mesoamerican Reef System, our hemisphere’s major reef system, is second in size only to the Great Barrier Reef. Often described as the gem of the Mesoamerican Reef System, Turneffe Atoll is a selfcontained coastal marine ecosystem surrounded by a fringing coral reef and its signature firm-bottom backreef flats. Most of Turneffe’s land mass is covered with mangrove or littoral forest with numerous creeks and channels as well two large lagoon systems.

Home to more than 500 fish species, 65 species of corals, as well as dolphins and seabirds, Turneffe also supports several threatened and endangered species including the critically endangered Antillean manatee and the endangered hawksbill turtle. Additionally, at least three highly important fish spawning aggregation sites are connected with the atoll.

In 2012, the 500-square-mile Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve was established as Belize’s largest marine reserve. This, however, protected only the marine portion of the atoll, and not the land. When Belize became an independent country in 1981, all Turneffe land was owned by the government. Over the past 20 years much of the prime land has been sold to speculators. Although development of the atoll remains minimal, unsustainable development is a major concern for those interested in protecting this incredible spot. In January of 2020, something occurred that forever changed the providence of this important atoll. With the perspective that one should first take care of his own backyard, Craig Hayes, owner of Turneffe Flats Lodge, formed Turneffe Atoll Trust, a Belizean and US non-profit 501 (C) (3) conservation organization in 2002. The organization’s purpose was to conserve and protect Turneffe Atoll and similar coastal marine areas.

On January 24, 2020, with the support of the Belizean government, particularly Minister of Environment Omar Figueroa, Turneffe Atoll Trust purchased rights to perpetually protect all remaining national land at Turneffe through formation of the 17,000-acre Turneffe Land Trust. While the transaction was called a purchase, beneficial owners remain the government and people of Belize. Turneffe Atoll Trust will serve as Trustee charged with ensuring that all 17,000 acres will remain perpetually in their natural, undeveloped state. Turneffe Atoll Trust has been led by 30-year Belizean resident and operator of Turneffe Flats Lodge, Craig Hayes. Over the past 18 years, Turneffe Atoll Trust has advocated for numerous measures to protect Turneffe’s healthy environment. In 2009, along with others in Belize, TAT championed efforts to enact the first nationwide law protecting bonefish, permit, and tarpon as catch-andrelease-only species throughout Belize. Efforts to establish the above-mentioned Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve were led by TAT, and Hayes served as the Reserve’s initial Chairman.

For many years, Turneffe Atoll Trust has been an advocate for combining resources of local fishermen with sport fishing to protect the environment, noting that local lobster and conch fishermen, like sport fishermen, require a healthy and sustainable marine environment. Through the formation of the

Fishermen & Ecotourism Alliance (FETA), the two groups have formed a unique allegiance with a common goal of sustaining Turneffe’s healthy marine environment. Supported by an excellent Board of Directors, formed primarily from concerned Turneffe Flats’ clients, and Executive Director Alex Anderson, Turneffe Atoll Trust plans to diligently pursue efforts to protect Turneffe and Belize.

A key member of the recently formed Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries, Hayes notes that efforts over the past several months have focused on a gillnet ban throughout all Belizean waters, a goal that appears to be near due to donations from fly anglers, lodges, and others in the fly fishing industry. Thus far, $1 million has been raised to fund the transition of gillnet fishermen into other livelihoods.

During a recent visit to Turneffe Flats we had the opportunity to speak with Craig Hayes about the purchase and what this means to the people of Belize and the wildlife in the atoll. Hayes speaks with subdued enthusiasm, struggling slightly to hold back a smile as he proudly proclaims that no longer can anyone threaten the habitat here. “With TAT as Trustee,” he says, “we are charged with protecting this—all of this. It can no longer be developed or misused.” He also acknowledges the sober reality that much of the premium land sold prior to the 2020 agreement is at-risk and that more needs to be done.

Neverland may be the fictional product of a Disney creative team, but for the ecologically minded residents and visitors to Turneffe Atoll, it is a very real place. All remaining national land, 17,000 acres, have become the real-life Neverland.

It will:

Never be developed. Never be stripped of fish by gillnets.

Never be abused by unsustainable tourism. And, most important … Never be unprotected again.

TAT Mission Statement Founded in 2002, Turneffe Atoll Trust is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) company whose purpose is to promote conservation of Turneffe Atoll while furthering scientific understanding and educating the public about the ecological and economic value of sustainably managing Turneffe Atoll and other sensitive tropical marine habitats.

Turneffe Atoll Trust operates with a small, informal board and minimal staff. Low administrative costs have allowed nearly 100% of contributed funds to go directly to programs. As a result, the organization has been able to complete several important projects and accomplish a great deal in pursuit of protecting Turneffe Atoll.