Belize is known throughout Central America for its progressive environmental conservation programmes, but with few exports, the small nation's economy also depends heavily on tourism.

And the large volume of tourists – many drawn to the world's second largest barrier reef that is home to a huge variety of marine life – has some experts worried that potentially irreversible harm is being done to the country's treasured environment.  

As Al Jazeera's David Mercer explains, finding a balance between the environment and the economy can be a challenge.