In an effort to conserve and protect Bay Islands
tourism resources, Tourism Minister Thierry de Pierrefeu and
Health Minister Elias Lizardo have signed an agreement to join
forces to control sand flies on the Islands.
Bay Islands beaches are currently plagued by the small insect,
whose presence is a nuisance that can shorten the average
length of visitor stays, thereby negatively impacting local
economies.
The program will begin at four pilot areas on Roatan (West
End, West Bay, Fantasy Island and Parrot Tree) and another
four on Guanaja (El Campo, the Posada del Sol Hotel, Michael’s
Rock and El Cayo, home to the Bay Restaurant, property of
Graham Thompson). Pilot areas will later be identified in
Utila and incorporated into the program.
The Health Ministry will contribute a LECO fumigation machine
and six nebulizer pumps, as well as protective clothing and
training for operators and supervisors.
The Tourism Ministry will cover the cost of transporting
the equipment from Tegucigalpa to the Bay Islands and provide
a 4x4 pick-up to carry the LECO system, as well as boats to
carry personnel and nebulizers on Guanaja. The Ministry will
also hire a local supervisor to coordinate the programs, and
will provide funds for the purchase of pesticides, fuels and
other supplies necessary to carry out the project and maintain
its equipment.
