DOCSLIB.ORG

Effects of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Belize) on Associated Coral Reef Finfish Populations Pamela Barrick Baker University of Rhode Island

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Effects of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Belize) on Associated Coral Reef Finfish Populations Pamela Barrick Baker University of Rhode Island University of Rhode Island DigitalCommons@URI Theses and Major Papers Marine Affairs 1992 Effects of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Belize) on Associated Coral Reef Finfish Populations Pamela Barrick Baker University of Rhode Island Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.uri.edu/ma_etds Part of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, and the Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons Recommended Citation Baker, Pamela Barrick, "Effects of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Belize) on Associated Coral Reef Finfish Populations" (1992). Theses and Major Papers. Paper 278. This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Marine Affairs at DigitalCommons@URI. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Major Papers by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@URI. For more information, please contact [email protected]. EFFECTS OF THE HOl CHAN MARINE RESERVE (BELIZE) ON ASSOCIATED CORAL REEF FINFISH POPULATIONS BY PAMELA BARRICK BAKER A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFillMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN MARINE AFFAIRS UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 1992 MASTER OF ARTS THESIS OF PAMELA BARRICK BAKER APPROVED: Thesis Committee Major Professor " /~h/~ DEAN OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND 1992 ABSTRACT People throughout the Caribbean depend on fishery resources for subsistence and income. Overfishing is a concern in many areas and the need for resource management is apparent. Coral reef protected areas are being used to maintain sustainable tropical reef fisheries. This research examined the effectiveness of the Hoi Chan Marine Reserve (HCMRl, Belize, in meeting fisheries management objectives. Fishes were surveyed within the HCMR and in a comparable non-protected site to examine changes in fish community structure over time in the HCMR and between protected and non-protected sites. Results show that abundance, mean length, biomass, and species richness of commercially important species are generally greater in the HCMR in 1991 than in 1988 and greater in the HCMR than in the non-protected site. Local tourist guides were surveyed to determine if the expanding tourist industry is providing alternative employment for fishers, thus alleviating fishing pressure. Results indicate that some previously full time fishers are earning substantial income from tourist activities. This thesis begins with an Introduction detailing the purpose and importance of the study. Chapter II provides a review of literature describing scientific and theoretical basis for establishment of coral reef protected areas to protect fishery resources and the role in the tourist industry. Chapter III summarizes the need for and management structure of the HCMR. Chapter IV describes study sites and research methods used. Results of the study and a discussion is presented in Chapter V. The thesis closes with conclusions and recommendations in Chapter VI. 11 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I thank the staff of the Hoi Chan Marine Reserve. James Azueta, Manager, provided guidance during my two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Belize and during the completion of the study in 1991. Special thanks go to Elgar Badillo, Ranger, for providing transportation and information on local fisheries, and to Melanie Dotherow, Peace Corps Volunteer. The staff of the HCMR kindly allowed me to use their equipment and boat making the research possible. Mr. Vincent Gillett and Ms. Janet Gibson of the Belize Fisheries Unit deserve thanks as their efforts are responsible for establishing Belize as a leader in coral reef conservation and management efforts. I am also grateful to those tourist guides in Belize who participated in my questionnaire. I would like to thank those at the the University of Rhode Island, especially my thesis committee, Dr. Gerald Krausse, Dr. Conrad Recksiek, Dr. Howard Winn, and committee chairman Dr. Thomas Grigalunas. Dr. Krausse was instrumental in helping coordinate this project while I was in Washington, D. C. Dr. Recksiek was kind enough to provide me with some hard to find literature which was essential to this thesis. Writing and completing this thesis while working out of town was possible because of their flexibility and timeliness in reviewing the many chapters. Finally, I thank my family and friends. My husband, Douglas Baker deserves a special thanks for assisti ng in all phases of this study from collection offield data to editing. I could not have done it without him. Thank you all. 111 PREFACE This thesis is based on two years of research conducted while I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Belize between 1987 and 1989 and on research conducted in the summer of 1991. Primary research was conducted in the Hoi Chan Marine Reserve and neighboring reef areas off Ambergris Cay, Belize, with a permit from the Belize Fisheries Unit. The thesis follows the standard format described in the University of Rhode Island "Format Guidelines--Thesis and Dissertation." IV TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT. .................................................... ii ACKNOWlEDGEMENTS....................................... iii PREFACE. ................. .. ............. .. ........... .. ...... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS. ........................................ v LIST OF FIGURES. ............................................ vii LIST OF TABLES. viii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION. ............................. 1 Problem Statement. .......................... 1 Purpose and Significance. .................. 2 Operational Definitions. ..................... 3 CHAPTER II CORAL REEF PROTECTED AREAS. 5 Managing Coral Reef Protected Areas................................... 5 Role in Fisheries Management. ............. 8 IMPACTS OF FISHING ~ . 9 Case Studies of Coral Reef Protected Areas. .................................. 11 GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK. .... 11 LOOE KEY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY. ..................... 14 PHILIPPINES. ........................... 17 KENYA.................................. 20 Providing Alternatives to Fishing. ........... 22 Summary..................................... 24 CHAPTER III HOl CHAN MARINE RESERVE. ............. 25 Establishment. ............................... 25 Management Plan. ........................... 28 Summary...... 28 CHAPTER IV STUDY SITES AND RESEARCH METHODS 33 Study Sites. ................................. 33 Research Methods. .......................... 36 ASSESSING FISH COMMUNITY STRUCTURE. ..................... 36 TOURIST GUIDE QUESTIONNAIRE. ....... 41 CHAPTER V RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. .............. 43 Assessment of Fish Community Structure. .............................. 43 HOl CHAN MARINE RESERVE. ........... 43 TRES COCOS. .......................... 50 v HOL CHAN MARINE RESERVE VERSUS TRES COCOS. ........... 51 Assessment of the Role of Tourism. ......... 60 CHAPTER VI CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. .................... 64 APPENDIX GLOSSARY. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .... 68 APPENDIX II SPECIES OF FISHES COMMONLY HARVESTED OFF AMBERGRIS CAY. ..... .. 69 APPENDIX III TOURIST GUIDE QUESTIONNAIRE. ......... 71 BIBUOGRAPHY... .. 73 vi LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Principle Steps in the Design of a Coral Reef Protected Area.. 8 2. Map of Belize Showing Ambergris Cay . 26 3. Map of Ambergris Cay Showing HCMR and Tres Cocos . 30 4. Coral Reef Habitats . 34 VII LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Management Objective for Coral Reef Protected Areas... 5 2. Impacts of Commercial and Recreational Activities on Coral Reefs. .......... .. ............................ .. 7 3. Selected Coral Reef Protected Areas and Their Associated Zones. ............................................ 13 4. Hoi Chan Marine Reserves Goals and Objectives. ........... 29 5. Hoi Chan Marine Reserve Zoning Regulations. .............. 31 6. Dates of Collection of Underwater Visual Censuses. ......... 37 7. HCMR Zone A Results Comparing 1988/89 and 1991. ........ 44 8. HCMR Reef Cut Results Comparing 1988/89 and 1991. ...... 46 9. HCMR Forereef Results Comparing 1988/89 and 1991. ....... 47 10. HCMR Main Reef Results Comparing 1988/89 and 1991. ..... 48 11. Tres Cocos Results Comparing 1988/89 and 1991. ........... 52 12. HCMR and Tres Cocos 1988/89 Comparison. ................ 54 13. HCMR and Tres Cocos 1991 Comparison. ................... 55 14. Reef Cuts 1991. Results Comparing HCMR and Tres Cocos. .. 57 15. Forereefs 1991. Results Comparing HCMR and Tres Cocos. .. 58 16. Main Reefs 1991. Results Comparing HCMR and Tres Cocos. .. 59 vi ii CHAPTER INTRODUCTION Problem Statement Indications of overlishing on coral reefs are evident worldwide resulting from use of highly efficient fishing gear, destructive fishing methods, and intense fishing pressure (Plan Development Team (PDT) 1990, Samoilys 1988, Salm and Clark 1984). Impacts include reduced landings, decreased catch per unit effort, and harvests being comprised of smaller sized individuals and of less desirable species (Polovina and Ralston 1987, Munro 1980). Because tropical coastal and island inhabitants in developing nations often depend on reef fisheries for sustenance, overlishing in these areas is a serious concern (White 1986, Castaneda and Miclat 1981). Coral reef protected areas (CRPAs) are being used to maintain reef fisheries in overlished areas. Hundreds of CRPAs exist throughout the world although many have no administrative or financial support (Van't Hof 1990, Salm and Clark 1984). The value of CRPAs for maintaining fisheries is not seriously doubted (Alcala and Russ 1990; PDT 1990; Russ and Alcala 1989; White 1986,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ecological and Socio-Economic Impacts of Dive
    ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF DIVE AND SNORKEL TOURISM IN ST. LUCIA, WEST INDIES Nola H. L. Barker Thesis submittedfor the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science Environment Department University of York August 2003 Abstract Coral reefsprovide many servicesand are a valuableresource, particularly for tourism, yet they are suffering significant degradationand pollution worldwide. To managereef tourism effectively a greaterunderstanding is neededof reef ecological processesand the impactsthat tourist activities haveon them. This study explores the impact of divers and snorkelerson the reefs of St. Lucia, West Indies, and how the reef environmentaffects tourists' perceptionsand experiencesof them. Observationsof divers and snorkelersrevealed that their impact on the reefs followed certainpatterns and could be predictedfrom individuals', site and dive characteristics.Camera use, night diving and shorediving were correlatedwith higher levels of diver damage.Briefings by dive leadersalone did not reducetourist contactswith the reef but interventiondid. Interviewswith tourists revealedthat many choseto visit St. Lucia becauseof its marineprotected area. Certain site attributes,especially marine life, affectedtourists' experiencesand overall enjoyment of reefs.Tourists were not alwaysable to correctly ascertainabundance of marine life or sedimentpollution but they were sensitiveto, and disliked seeingdamaged coral, poor underwatervisibility, garbageand other tourists damagingthe reef. Some tourists found sitesto be
    [Show full text]
  • Hol Chan: Demonstrating That Marine Reserves Can Be Remarkably Effective
    Hol Chan: demonstrating that marine reserves can be remarkably effective The Hol Chan Marine Reserve lies oil Ambergris Cay, in Belize. Covering 2.6 km2. the reserve has been protected from all forms of fishing since 1987. Although small, Hol Chan contains a higher biomass of fishes per unit area of reef than we have seen anywhere else in the world. Enormous schools of grunts and snappers, so dense they almost obscure the reef. mingle with huge roving black groupers (Mycterot)era bonaci) and grey snappers (LuOanus griseus). The standing stock of commercially important species reaches 340 g/m: in the centre of the reserve, while at the periphery it averages 77 g/m 2, about double that in adjacent fished areas (Pohmin and Roberts 1993). This compares with values for lightly fished reel's of 27 g/m: for the Caribbean island of Saba. 65 g/m2 for the northern Red Sea (data collected using the same observer and method), and 24 g/m 2 at French Frigate Shoals (Polovina 1984), 49 g/m 2 for Bermuda (Bardach 1959), and 65 g/m 2 for Hawaii (Grigg 1994; data collected using different methods). The reserve also contained seven more species of commercial fishes than areas subject to fishing. The presence of large fishes in the reserve is particularly important to replenishment because of their disproportionately large contribution to egg production. In addition to boosting reproductive output, the reserve may also play an important role in protection of species which are vulnerable to fishing. Re/~,lvmes Bardach Jg (1959) The summer standing crop of fish on a shallow Bermuda reef.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of the Benefits of No-Take Zones
    1 Preface This report was commissioned by the Wildlife Conservation Society to support a three-year project aimed at expanding the area of no-take, or replenishment, zones to at least 10% of the territorial sea of Belize by the end of 2015. It is clear from ongoing efforts to expand Belize’s no-take zones that securing support for additional fishery closures requires demonstrating to fishers and other stakeholders that such closures offer clear and specific benefits to fisheries – and to fishers. Thus, an important component of the national expansion project has been to prepare a synthesis report of the performance of no-take zones, in Belize and elsewhere, in replenishing fisheries and conserving biodiversity, with the aim of providing positive examples, elucidating the factors contributing to positive results, and developing scientific arguments and data that can be used to generate and sustain stakeholder support for no-take expansion. To this end, Dr. Craig Dahlgren, a recognized expert in marine protected areas and fisheries management, with broad experience in the Caribbean, including Belize, was contracted to prepare this synthesis report. The project involved an in-depth literature review of no-take areas and a visit to Belize to conduct consultations with staff of the Belize Fisheries Department, marine reserve managers, and fishermen, collect information and national data, and identify local examples of benefits of no-take areas. In November 2013, Dr. Dahlgren presented his preliminary results to the Replenishment Zone Project Steering Committee, and he subsequently incorporated feedback received from Steering Committee members and WCS staff in this final report.
    [Show full text]
  • Aquaculture and Marine Protected Areas: Exploring Potential Opportunities and Synergies
    Aquaculture and Marine Protected Areas: Exploring Potential Opportunities and Synergies To meet the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Aichi Target 11 on marine biodiversity protection, Aichi Target 6 on sustainable fisheries by 2020, as well as the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 on food security and SDG 14 on oceans, by 2030, there is an urgent need to reconcile nature conservation and sustainable development. It is also widely recognised that aquaculture significantly contributes to sustainable development in coastal communities and plays a vital role in ensuring food security, poverty alleviation, and economic resilience. In the framework of integrated management, the time has therefore come to identify the potential opportunities and synergies that can enable aquaculture and conservation to work together more effectively. CONTENT Understanding the various types of aquaculture and their potentialities ……………………………………… 3 The types of MPAs and matrix of interactions showing aquaculture & sustainability principles …… 7 Understanding aquaculture and MPA interactions …… 8 Towards MPAs and aquaculture compatibility and sustainability ……………………………………………10 Background In order to feed the world's growing human population, attention will need to increasingly focus on where the protein needs of the world will be supplied from. While capture fisheries have now reached a plateau of production, marine aquaculture of fish, shellfish and algae has been steadily increasing over the past decades and has become a valid option to make up the protein shortfall. However, one of the major constraints for the aquaculture production sector is the availability of, and access to space. In many coastal areas, competition with other marine activities is already high, mainly because the bulk of marine aquaculture is located close to the shore.
    [Show full text]
  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve Belize
    UNITED NATIONS EP United Nations Original: ENGLISH Environment Program Proposed areas for inclusion in the SPAW list ANNOTATED FORMAT FOR PRESENTATION REPORT FOR: Hol Chan Marine Reserve Belize Date when making the proposal : October 5th, 2010 CRITERIA SATISFIED : Ecological criteria Cultural and socio-economic criteria Representativeness Cultural and traditional use Conservation value Critical habitats Area name: Hol Chan Marine Reserve Country: Belize Contacts Last name: BELIZE First name: Belize MPA Focal Point Position: Focal point Email: [email protected] Phone: 0478000000 Last name: ALAMILLA First name: Miguel Manager Position: Manager Email: [email protected] Phone: 501 226 2247 SUMMARY Chapter 1 - IDENTIFICATION Chapter 2 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Chapter 3 - SITE DESCRIPTION Chapter 4 - ECOLOGICAL CRITERIA Chapter 5 - CULTURAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CRITERIA Chapter 6 - MANAGEMENT Chapter 7 - MONITORING AND EVALUATION Chapter 8 - STAKEHOLDERS Chapter 9 - IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISM Chapter 10 - OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION ANNEXED DOCUMENTS Chapter 1. IDENTIFICATION a - Country: Belize b - Name of the area: Hol Chan Marine Reserve c - Administrative region: Belize District d - Date of establishment: 7/1/87 e - If different, date of legal declaration: not specified f - Geographic location Longitude X: -88.020058 Latitude Y: 17.875184 g - Size: 55 sq. km h - Contacts Contact adress: Caribena Street - San Pedro Town - Belize Website: http://www.fisheries.gov.bz/ Email address: [email protected] i - Marine ecoregion 68. Western Caribbean Comment, optional none Chapter 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Present briefly the proposed area and its principal characteristics, and specify the objectives that motivated its creation : The Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) was established in 1987 to conserve a small but representative portion of Belize's coastal ecosystem.
    [Show full text]
  • 302232 Travelguide
    302232 TRAVELGUIDE <P.1> (118*205) G5-15 DANIEL V2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 INTRODUCTION 5 WELCOME 6 GENERAL VISITOR INFORMATION 8 GETTING TO BELIZE 9 TRAVELING WITHIN BELIZE 10 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 14 CRUISE PASSENGER ADVENTURES Half Day Cultural and Historical Tours Full Day Adventure Tours 16 SUGGESTED OVERNIGHT ADVENTURES Four-Day Itinerary Five-Day Itinerary Six-Day Itinerary Seven-Day Itinerary 25 ISLANDS, BEACHES AND REEF 32 MAYA CITIES AND MYSTIC CAVES 42 PEOPLE AND CULTURE 50 SPECIAL INTERESTS 57 NORTHERN BELIZE 65 NORTH ISLANDS 71 CENTRAL COAST 77 WESTERN BELIZE 87 SOUTHEAST COAST 93 SOUTHERN BELIZE 99 BELIZE REEF 104 HOTEL DIRECTORY 120 TOUR GUIDE DIRECTORY 302232 TRAVELGUIDE <P.2> (118*205) G5-15 DANIEL V2 302232 TRAVELGUIDE <P.3> (118*205) G5-15 DANIEL V2 The variety of activities is matched by the variety of our people. You will meet Belizeans from many cultural traditions: Mestizo, Creole, Maya and Garifuna. You can sample their varied cuisines and enjoy their music and Belize is one of the few unspoiled places left on Earth, their company. and has something to appeal to everyone. It offers rainforests, ancient Maya cities, tropical islands and the Since we are a small country you will be able to travel longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. from East to West in just two hours. Or from North to South in only a little over that time. Imagine... your Visit our rainforest to see exotic plants, animals and birds, possible destinations are so accessible that you will get climb to the top of temples where the Maya celebrated the most out of your valuable vacation time.
    [Show full text]
  • Belize Islands Guide
    Belize Islands Guide A Guide to Ambergris Caye Caye Caulker and Belize’s Other Islands LAN SLUDER Belize Islands Guide A Guide to Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker and Belize’s Other Islands Published as an eBook by Equator Publications, Asheville, NC Text and book design © copyright 2002-2010 by Lan Sluder. All rights reserved. Photos by Lan Sluder and Rose Lambert- Sluder. Cover photo used by permission. Maps by Robert O’Hair, New Orleans, LA ISBN: 978-0-9670488-6-4 EQUATOR Publications, Asheville 287 Beaverdam Road • Candler, NC 28715 USA e-mail: [email protected] • www.belizefirst.com This is SHAREWARE: IF YOU FOUND THIS BOOK USEFUL, PLEASE SEND US$5 TO: Lan Sluder 287 Beaverdam Road Candler, NC 28715 USA TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome to Ambergris Caye & the Islands of Belize...7 Practical Information on Ambergris Caye for Your Trip, From A to Z: About Belize, Ambergris, Banks, Bargaining, Bugs, Business Hours, Cars/Golf Carts, Cell Phones, Children, Churches, Climate, Credit Cards, Crime, Dining, Dress, Drink, Drugs, Electricity, Embassies, Entry, Gay and Lesbian Travelers, Golf, Government, Groceries, Handicap Access, Health, Hotels, Holidays, Hurricanes, Internet, Language, Laundry, Mail, Maps, Media, Medical, Money, Nude Beaches, Pharmacies, Population, Sports, Taxes, Taxis, Telephones, Tennis, Time, Tipping, Visitor Information, Water to Drink, Water Taxis ................................................................ 10 Getting to San Pedro ....................................................34 Overnighting in Corozal Town ....................................... 40 Overnighting in Belize City ........................................... 43 Wow! First Impressions of Ambergris Caye ..................... 46 A Tour of the Island...................................................... 47 What It Costs to Vacation Here and Itinerary....................53 Everything You Need to Know about Ambergris Caye.........58 All About Hotels & Resorts on Ambergris Caye................
    [Show full text]
  • Guidelines for Marine Protected Areas
    Guidelines for Marine Protected Areas World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Guidelines for Marine MPAs are needed in all parts of the world – but it is vital to get the support Protected Areas of local communities Edited and coordinated by Graeme Kelleher Adrian Phillips, Series Editor IUCN Protected Areas Programme IUCN Publications Services Unit Rue Mauverney 28 219c Huntingdon Road CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland Cambridge, CB3 0DL, UK Tel: + 41 22 999 00 01 Tel: + 44 1223 277894 Fax: + 41 22 999 00 15 Fax: + 44 1223 277175 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Best Practice Protected Area Guidelines Series No. 3 IUCN The World Conservation Union The World Conservation Union CZM-Centre These Guidelines are designed to be used in association with other publications which cover relevant subjects in greater detail. In particular, users are encouraged to refer to the following: Case studies of MPAs and their Volume 8, No 2 of PARKS magazine (1998) contributions to fisheries Existing MPAs and priorities for A Global Representative System of Marine establishment and management Protected Areas, edited by Graeme Kelleher, Chris Bleakley and Sue Wells. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, The World Bank, and IUCN. 4 vols. 1995 Planning and managing MPAs Marine and Coastal Protected Areas: A Guide for Planners and Managers, edited by R.V. Salm and J.R. Clark. IUCN, 1984. Integrated ecosystem management The Contributions of Science to Integrated Coastal Management. GESAMP, 1996 Systems design of protected areas National System Planning for Protected Areas, by Adrian G. Davey. Best Practice Protected Area Guidelines Series No.
    [Show full text]
  • Coral Reef Resilience Assessment of the Bonaire National Marine Park, Netherlands Antilles
    Coral Reef Resilience Assessment of the Bonaire National Marine Park, Netherlands Antilles Surveys from 31 May to 7 June, 2009 IUCN Climate Change and Coral Reefs Working Group About IUCN ,8&1,QWHUQDWLRQDO8QLRQIRU&RQVHUYDWLRQRI1DWXUHKHOSVWKHZRUOG¿QGSUDJPDWLFVROXWLRQVWRRXUPRVWSUHVVLQJ environment and development challenges. IUCN works on biodiversity, climate change, energy, human livelihoods and greening the world economy by supporting VFLHQWL¿FUHVHDUFKPDQDJLQJ¿HOGSURMHFWVDOORYHUWKHZRUOGDQGEULQJLQJJRYHUQPHQWV1*2VWKH81DQGFRPSD- nies together to develop policy, laws and best practice. ,8&1LVWKHZRUOG¶VROGHVWDQGODUJHVWJOREDOHQYLURQPHQWDORUJDQL]DWLRQZLWKPRUHWKDQJRYHUQPHQWDQG1*2 members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported by over 1,000 staff in RI¿FHVDQGKXQGUHGVRISDUWQHUVLQSXEOLF1*2DQGSULYDWHVHFWRUVDURXQGWKHZRUOG www.iucn.org IUCN Global Marine and Polar Programme The IUCN Global Marine and Polar Programme (GMPP) provides vital linkages for the Union and its members to all the ,8&1DFWLYLWLHVWKDWGHDOZLWKPDULQHDQGSRODULVVXHVLQFOXGLQJSURMHFWVDQGLQLWLDWLYHVRIWKH5HJLRQDORI¿FHVDQGWKH ,8&1&RPPLVVLRQV*033ZRUNVRQLVVXHVVXFKDVLQWHJUDWHGFRDVWDODQGPDULQHPDQDJHPHQW¿VKHULHVPDULQH protected areas, large marine ecosystems, coral reefs, marine invasives and the protection of high and deep seas. The Nature Conservancy The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
    [Show full text]
  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve Management Plan
    HOL CHAN MARINE RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN Fisheries Department Hol Chan Marine Reserve The World Conservation Union Princes Margaret Drive, Belize City Phone:(501) 2262247 (IUCN) Phone:(501) 2244552; 2232623 Fax:(501) 2262420 Phone:(506) 2410101 • Fax:(506) 2409934 Fax:(501) 2232983 P.O. Box 60 P.O. Box 146-2150 San Pedro Town, Belize P.O.Box 148, Belize City Moravia, San José, Costa Rica Belize E-mal: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Published by: UICN Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Cooperatives BMZ 333.918 I-34c Hol Chan Marine Reserve Management Plan / Prepared by Earl Yong, Barbara Bilgre; edited by Francisco Pizarro. - 1. ed. - San José, C.R. : UICN. Oficina Regional para Mesoamérica, 2002. 128 p.; 15.5 x22.5 cm ISBN 9968-743-63-1 1. Planes de manejo. 2. Reservas marinas. 3. Arrecifes de Coral. 4. Reserva Marina Hol Chan. 5. Belice. 6. América Central I. Título. Editor: Francisco Pizarro Desing and Printer : Doble Giro S.A. Prepared by: Earl R. Young Barbara Bilgre Revised By : James Azueta Miguel Alamilla Rocío Córdoba Table of Contents Page No. List of Tables IV List of Figures IV List of Acronyms V Acknowledgements VI 1. BACKGROUND 1 1.1. Introduction 1 1.2. History and Development 3 1.3. Purpose and Scope of Plan 6 1.4. Legislative Authority 8 2. GENERAL INFORMATION 11 2.1. Location 11 2.2. Access 11 2.3. Land and Sea Tenure 12 2.4. Maps, Photographs, Satellite Imagery 13 3. PHYSICAL INFORMATION 14 3.1. Geology and Substrates Types 14 3.2.
    [Show full text]
  • Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002
    Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2002 Edited by Clive Wilkinson PDF compression, OCR, web optimization using a watermarked evaluation copy of CVISION PDFCompressor Dedication This book is dedicated to all those people who are working to conserve the coral reefs of the world – we thank them for their efforts. It is also dedicated to the International Coral Reef Initiative and partners, one of which is the Government of the United States of America operating through the US Coral Reef Task Force. Of particular mention is the support to the GCRMN from the US Department of State and the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. I wish to make a special dedication to Robert (Bob) E. Johannes (1936-2002) who has spent over 40 years working on coral reefs, especially linking the scientists who research and monitor reefs with the millions of people who live on and beside these resources and often depend for their lives from them. Bob had a rare gift of understanding both sides and advocated a partnership of traditional and modern management for reef conservation. We will miss you Bob! Front cover: Vanuatu - burning of branching Acropora corals in a coral rock oven to make lime for chewing betel nut (photo by Terry Done, AIMS, see page 190). Back cover: Great Barrier Reef - diver measuring large crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) and freshly eaten Acropora corals (photo by Peter Moran, AIMS). This report has been produced for the sole use of the party who requested it. The application or use of this report and of any data or information (including results of experiments, conclusions, and recommendations) contained within it shall be at the sole risk and responsibility of that party.
    [Show full text]
  • What Can You Tell Me About Hol Chan Marine Reserve? Marty Casado Thu, Dec 7, 2006 Hol Chan Marine Reserve 0 6423
    What can you tell me about Hol Chan Marine Reserve? Marty Casado Thu, Dec 7, 2006 Hol Chan Marine Reserve 0 6423 Off the southern tip of Ambergris Caye is Belize’s oldest marine reserve,the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Hol Chan is Mayan for ’little channel." The entire reserve focuses on a cut through the reef (called a quebrada) which is little more than 25 yards (23 m) wide and 30 feet (9 m) deep about 4 miles southeast of San Pedro. The reserve was formed primarily as a community-based initiative due to concern over the high level of uncontrolled, often destructive fishing and diving activities in the area. Reserve status was also called for by international organizations such as the New York Zoological Society (NYZS) and Peace Corps, due to the unique formation of the channel, the abundant fishery resources (including conch and lobster) and the feasibility of including an interlinked system of coral reef, seagrass and mangrove habitats in this area. The entire reserve covers approximately three square miles (7.8 sq km) and is divided into four zones: Zone A - The Reef Zone B - The Seagrass Beds Zone C - The Mangroves Zone D - Shark Ray Alley All four zones are clearly marked on the surface by buoys. Zone A through C each represents one of the major marine habitat types in Belize. Zone D was recently added as a location where nurse sharks and southern sting rays congregate. Realizing the importance of the coral reef community off Ambergris Caye, Belize, the Government of Belize established the Hol Chan Marine Reserve on May 2, 1987.
    [Show full text]