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If it proceeds, the testing will occur just over one kilometre away of the fragile Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage site, which has been listed as in danger by UNESCO.

WWF-UK believes that an oil spill anywhere within Belize's waters could be catastrophic for residents whose livelihoods depend on healthy marine and coastal ecosystems. A spill also could threaten neighbouring areas of the broader Mesoamerican Reef System, which extends to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.

Chris Gee, WWF-UK Senior Campaigns Manager said It is shocking that any government or company would dream of exploring for oil so close to this "in danger" World Heritage site. Already 150,000 people around the world have taken action to urge the Belize Prime Minister to protect the reef."

WWF's Belize reef scientist Nadia Bood commented: "Our reef is an engine for long term economic development in Belize. More than half of Belize's population, around 190,000 people, are supported by incomes generated through tourism and fisheries. Oil would put the reef at risk, but it's not too late to reverse this decision before the damage begins."

Late last year, Belize committed to ban oil exploration within the World Heritage site, but still has not passed the ban into law. The proposed ban also includes a small buffer zone, however in July the UNESCO World Heritage Committee asked Belize to revise the zone to a distance that would protect the reef.

Belize's waters are a haven for 1,400 kinds of plants and animals, including rare marine turtles, rays, sharks and dolphins, which are particularly sensitive to underwater noise.

Seismic testing involves using airguns to blast shockwaves through the water that are powerful enough to penetrate the seafloor. For dolphins and whales, it can cause deafness, disturb communications, and disrupt migration patterns. Whales and whale sharks will be migrating through the area at the time of the survey. Additionally, such surveys have been shown to impact negatively catch rates for fishers, especially during testing periods.

Osmany Salas, president of the Belize Tourism Industry Association stated: "Offshore seismic testing can considerably impact the ecology and marine life thereby having detrimental effects on our thriving travel industry. We should not jeopardize our vulnerable natural resources and beloved tourist attractions that are the very heart of our tourism industry."

A coalition of Belizean organizations has spoken out about the risks that oil exploitation poses to the local economy, and has called on the government "to ban offshore oil from any of Belize's offshore waters in the interest of promoting a sound environment and a sustainable economy."

For more information, please contact: 
Alex Stafford
WWF-UK
email: astafford@wwf.gorg.uk

Photos for media use are available here: http://bit.ly/1Prhb3l

Nearly 160,000 people have written to the prime minister of Belize asking him to protect the World Heritage site. Learn more wwf.org.uk/belize.

About WWF

WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Visit wwf.org.uk/ for latest news and media resources and follow us on Twitter @wwf_uk.