2005 PROARCA/APM, Regional Environmental Program for Central America / Protected Areas and Environmental Marketing Components, a USAID- CCAD project, The Nature Conservancy (TNC). 12 Avenida 14-41, Zona 10 Colonia Oakland 01010, Guatemala

Regional Environmental Program for Central America / Protected Areas and Environmental Marketing Components Fundación Mario Dary. Site Conservation Planning Gulf of : , Guatemala and Honduras /PROARCA/APM, Guatemala, Guatemala, 2005. 60 p. ; 8,5 X 11 c.m.

Designations used in this publication, and the manner in which this publication presents its data, do not imply any judgment by the members of the PROARCA/APM consortium, USAID, nor CCAD on the legal status of countries, territories, cities, or zones, nor of their authorities, nor the disposition of their borders.

This publication was made possible through support provided by the Office of Regional Sustainable Development, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, United States Agency for International Development and The Nature Conservancy, under the terms of Award No. 596-A-00-01-00116-00. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US Agency for International Development.

Editors: Jean-Luc Betoulle and Astrid Alvarado (FUNDARY)

Collaborators and Reviewers: Juan Carlos Villagrán Lenín Corrales Ingrid Arias (TRIGOH)

Graphic Design: María del Rosario Calderón

Photography: Fundary Site Conservation Planning : Belize, Guatemala and Honduras Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras

4 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ACRONYMS...... 6 PRESENTATION ...... 10 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 11

I. INTRODUCTION...... 12 1.1 Background and Plan Objectives ...... 12 1.2 Site Description ...... 13

II. ELEMENTS OF CONSERVATION AND THREATS ...... 16 2.1 Coral Reefs ...... 16 2.2 ...... 19 2.3 Marine grasslands ...... 22 2.4 Beach Systems ...... 25 2.5 and Coastal ...... 28 2.6 Herbaceous Wetlands, Flood forests, and their supporting Aquatic Systems ...... 31

III. CONSERVATION STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS ...... 33 Strategy # 1: Complete the protected areas system, and improve protected area man- agement and protection ...... 34 Strategy # 2: Create mechanisms for the financial sustainability of protected area man- agement ...... 35 Strategy # 3: Develop and implement Land Use Regulation Plans and Sector Plans ...... 36 Strategy # 4: Make and execute protection plans for endangered, and economically important species ...... 37 Strategy # 5: Support the regulation of fisheries and sustainable fishing ...... 38 Strategy # 6: Revise, develop, and enforce, in a participative manner, norms and mecha- nisms to regulate the sustainable use of natural resources ...... 39 Strategy # 7: Promote alternate economic activities in the local communities ...... 40 Strategy # 8: Implement education, sensitizing, awareness-raising, and divulgation pro- grams about the environmental problems and their solutions with inhabitants, resource users, and governments ...... 41 Strategy # 9: Implement institutional strengthening programs, and coordination and citizen participation mechanisms, for the protection of natural systems ...... 42

IV. MEASURES OF SUCCESS ...... 43

V. BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 46

VI. ANEXES ...... 49 The Site Conservation Planning method ...... 50 Map 1. Base map of the Gulf of Honduras ...... 55 Map 2. Ecoregions ...... 56 Map 3. Life Zones, according to Holdridge...... 57 Map 4. Conservation Elements ...... 58 Map 5. Stresses ...... 59 Map 6. Sources of stress ...... 60

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LIST OF ACRONYMS

APE Área de Protección EspecialSpecial Protection Area BTB Belize Tourism Board CCAD Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo (Central American Commission on the Environment and Development) CCO Cuerpo de Conservación Omoa Baracoa (Omoa Baracoa Conservation Corps, Honduras) CEMA Centro de Estudios del Mar y Acuicultura, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala(Center for Sea and Aquaculture Studies of the Guatemalan state university) CISP Comitato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo dei Popoli (International Committee for the Development of Peoples, based in Italy) CITES Convention on the Illegal Trade of Endangered Species COCODES Comité Comunitario de Desarrollo(Community Development Committee, Guatemala) COHDEFOR Corporación Hondureña de Desarrollo Forestal (Honduran Forestry Development Corporation, = Honduran service) CONAMA Comisión Nacional del Medio Ambiente (National Commission on the Environment, forerunner of MARN, Guatemala) CONAP Consejo Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (National Protected Areas Council, Guatemala) CZMA/I Coastal Zone Management Authority / Institute (Belize) DIGEPESCA Dirección General de Pesca y Acuicultura (General Directorate of Fishing and Aquaculture, Honduras) EMPORNAC Empresa Portuaria Nacional de (Santo Tomás de Castilla National Port Company, Guatemala) ENP Empresa Nacional Porturaria (National Port Company, Honduras) FOPECO Foro Permanente de Ecoturismo y Conservación de Guatemala (Guatemala Permanent Ecotourism and Conservation Forum) FUNDAECO Fundación para el Ecodesarrollo y la Conservación (Foundation for Eco-Development and Conservation, Guatemala) FUNDARY Fundación para la Conservación del Medio Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales “Mario Dary Rivera (“Mario Dary Rivera” Foundation for Conservation of the Environment and Natural Resources, Guatemala) GIS Geographic Information System GO Government Organization GOH Gulf of Honduras ICSED Inter-American Center for Sustainable Ecosystems Development (Chile) IDEADS Instituto de Derecho Ambiental y Desarrollo Sustentable (Environmental Law and Sustainable Development Institute, Guatemala) IHT Instituto Hondureño de Turismo(Honduran Tourism Institute) INAB Instituto Nacional de Bosques (National Forest Institute, Guatemala) INGUAT Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo(Guatemalan Tourism Institute)

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INTECAP Instituto Técnico de Capacitación (Capacity-Building Technical Institute, Guatemala) MARN Ministerio de Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Guatemala) MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships MBC Mesoamerican Biological Corridor MBRS Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System MINUGUA Misión de Verificación de las Naciones Unidas en Guatemala (United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala) MoES Ministry of Education and Sports (Belize) NGC/TDC National Garifuna Council / Toledo Development Corporation (Belize) IMO International Maritime Organization PA Protected Area PDO Private Development Organization PROARCA/APM Programa Ambiental Regional para Centro América / Áreas Protegidas y Mercadeo Ambiental (Regional Environmental Program for Central America / Protected Areas and Environmental Marketing) PROARCA/CAPAS Programa Ambiental Regional para Centro América / Sistema Centroamericano de Áreas Protegidas (Regional Environmental Program for Central America / Central American Protected Areas System) PROARCA/Costas Programa Ambiental Regional para Centro América / Manejo de Zonas Costeras (Regional Environmental Program for Central America / Coastal Zones Management) PROECO Programa Ecológico de Centroamérica (Central American Ecologic Program. A Swiss Contact program based in Honduras) PROLANSATE Fundación para la Protección de Lancetilla, Punta Sal, y Texiguat (Foundation for the Protection of Lancetilla, Punta Sal, and Texiguat, Honduras) SCP Site Conservation Planning SERNA Secretaría de Estado en el Despacho de Recursos Naturales y Ambiente (State Secretariat for Natural Resources and Environment, Honduras) SOLAS International Convention for the Safety Of Lives At Sea TASTE Toledo Association for Sustainable Tourism and Empowerment (Belize) TIDE Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (Belize) TNC The Nature Conservancy TRIGOH Tri-National Alliance for the Conservation of the Gulf of Honduras UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNIPESCA Unidad Especial de Pesca y Acuicultura (Special Fishing and Aquaculture Unit, Guatemala) USAID United States Agency for International Development UVG Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (University of the Valley of Guatemala) WB World Bank

7 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras

8 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras

The Protected Areas and Environmental Marketing Component of the Regional Environmental Program for Central America (PROARCA/APM) is an initiative of the Central American Commission on the Environment and Development (CCAD), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is implementing this five-year initiative (2001-2006). Its general objective is to contribute to the improved management of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC), for which it is structured in two components:

Intermediate Result 1 (IR1): Improved protected areas management. This component comprises three fields of action to improve or assure the viability of biodiversity in the four MBC key functional landscapes. 1) Development of effective alliances for protected areas management supports a legal framework and policies oriented to improve management (environmental services, conservation in private lands, and co-management) and strengthen institutions (governments, private development organizations, communities). 2) Improved financial management in protected areas works on financial planning and management, and the increase of complementary investment. 3) Application of best management practices adopts and applies methods for ecoregional planning, Site Conservation Planning, management effectiveness, and defining indicators for biomonitoring and for the Central American Protected Areas System, among others.

Intermediate Result 2 (IR2): Expanded access to markets for environmentally sound products and service. This component works in two fields of action within forestry and sustainable tourism, to diminish threats to biodiversity in the four MBC key functional landscapes: 1) Increased availability of environmentally sound products publishes requirements, options, and benefits of adopting better production practices. 2) Effective alliances for the commercialization of environmentally sound products and services publishes information on the offer and demand for products, and strengthens the capacity of producers to participate in innovative markets.

PROARCA/APM emphasizes two areas considered key functional landscapes within the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, which represent four priority areas of the Central American Biodiversity Agreement:

1. Gulf of Honduras (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras) 4. Amistad – Cahuita – Río Cañas ( Rica, Panamá)

The work PROARCA/APM has done in the functional landscapes will serve for case studies to systematize methods and experiences, contributing to the development of regional policies.

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PRESENTATION

It is a pleasure for me, as Director of the Protected Areas and Environmentally Sound Marketing components of the Regional Environmental Program for Central America (PROARCA/APM) of CCAD, funded by USAID, to present the Site Conservation Plan for the Gulf of Honduras.

This Site Conservation Plan is the result of an approximately one-year-long process which collected information and analyzed strategies to conserve biodiversity in the tri-national area formed by the south of Belize, the Caribbean coast of Guatemala, and part of the north Caribbean coast of Honduras, known as the Gulf of Honduras. The chief virtues of this document are rooted in the following elements:

1. The Site Conservation Plan reflects the effort and cooperation of more than 60 persons over several workshops. All of them, concerned for conservation in this area, were summoned under the leadership of the Tri-National Alliance for the Conservation of the Gulf of Honduras (TRIGOH), one of the most successful coalitions that PROARCA has supported, by means of PROARCA/Costas and PROARCA/CAPAS in the beginning of PROARCA, and by PROARCA/APM at the present time.

2. Another important virtue of this work is the identification of conservation elements in the Gulf of Honduras (scored according to their viability) as well as the principal threats to them in the area. Long work hours were needed to prioritize and establish elements of the area’s biodiversity that will allow an adequate representation of it. Local actors identified the threats and their sources, to enable the identification of mechanisms and strategies that will allow their attenuation or elimination.

3. Finally, the greatest virtue of the Site Conservation Plan is that it has allowed the establishment of a series of strategies, which you will find in this document. These establish a criterion of priorities as to what needs to be done urgently in the Gulf of Honduras to guarantee the main objectives of the Site Conservation Plan: first, achieve the maintenance, and if possible, improvement of the viability of the most important conservation elements, and second, the attenuation or elimination of the threats and their sources.

I would like to thank the unnamable list of persons and institutions that participated in this process, especially the Tri-National Alliance for the Conservation of the Gulf of Honduras (TRIGOH), which demonstrated its leadership and summoning power, without which it would have been impossible to make this Site Conservation Plan.

I leave this work instrument in your hands, which will surely change over the next years as the environmental situation in the Gulf of Honduras changes, hopefully for the best.

I thank any comment that allows improving the information provided here. I remind you that this plan reflects the information that the participants collected and used to arrive to the conclusions poured into this document. Nothing remains but to encourage the readers and beneficiaries of this Site Conservation Plan to transform it into living words and deeds, in order to achieve the conservation of the natural resources of the Gulf of Honduras and to promote their sustainable use.

Very faithfully yours,

Néstor Windevoxhel, M.S. Director

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PROARCA, with technical support from TNC, has implemented Site Conservation Planning as an instrument for regional planning in functional landscapes. This document presents the work done by members of the Tri-National Alliance for the Conservation of the Gulf of Honduras (TRIGOH), diverse actors from governmental and private development organizations, projects, and diverse initiatives and organizations to identify the conservation priorities in the Gulf of Honduras tri-national site (Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras).

The Gulf of Honduras is defined as the marine and coastal areas between Punta Izopo, in the northern coast of Honduras, and Gladden Spit in Belize. It therefore includes the southwest end of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. The Gulf covers approximately 10,000 Km2, which include parts of the Exclusive Economic Zones of the three countries. Marine productivity within the Gulf is maintained to a large extent by the contributions of the most important rivers, their estuaries, and the humid coastal lands bathed by tides, populated especially by . The Gulf has populations of shrimp (Penaeus spp.), lobster (Panulirus argus), queen conch (Strobus gigas), as well as commercially exploited scale fish and important sport fish populations. The Gulf also provides habitat for several endangered species, including: West Indies (Trichechus manatus), Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncates), whale shark (Rhincodon typus), yellow- headed parrot (Amazona oratrix), and the following sea turtles: green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta). The Gulf has half a million inhabitants, mainly concentrated in the port cities of Santo Tomás de Castilla and (100,000+), Puerto Cortés (100,000), and Livingston (40,000).

Site Conservation Planning has allowed the identification of some of the most important systems that need to be protected to guarantee the conservation of the largest possible sample of biodiversity in this tri-national site. All the selected conservation elements are coastal-marine ecosystems: coral reefs, mangrove forests, marine grasslands, beach systems, estuaries and coastal lagoons, and herbaceous wetlands (which include flood forests). The viability of all these conservation elements is considered good.

The identification of the main conservation elements has in turn allowed the identification of the main sources of stress acting on the long-term viability of the elements. The greatest stress is “altered composition and structure”, which strongly affects 4 conservation elements, and has a medium effect on another. All the coastal elements –mangrove forests, beach systems, and herbaceous wetlands– have highly fragmented habitat. The greatest threat to them is urban development and the construction of access roads, which is very strongly degrading the beach systems, and strongly degrading the mangrove forests, estuaries and coastal lagoons, and herbaceous wetlands. Other threats with a “high” global score include inappropriate agricultural and animal farming practices, tourism development, poaching, inappropriate fishing practices, and climate change. The threatened state for focal objects and the site as a whole is very high.

This analysis allowed the identification of institutional capabilities and the strategies needed to attack the critical threats and to improve the viability of biodiversity in the medium and long terms. Nine principal strategies were identified, of which “complete the protected areas system”; “support the regulation of fisheries” and “promote alternate economic activities” were defined as the most effective to mitigate the threats. The effectiveness of efforts to conserve biodiversity associated to these important coastal-marine ecosystems can be evaluated with this information, using the “Measures of conservation success” method.

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I. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background and Plan TRIGOH held a series of strategic planning exercises, and decided to Objectives focus its work on the following seven objectives: The Tri-National Alliance for the Conservation of the Gulf of Honduras 1. Develop a tri-national system of (TRIGOH) was created in 1996, with the coastal-marine protected areas, support of PROARCA/Costas, by co-managed by public and representatives of private development private entities, with the active organizations (PDOs) from Belize, participation of local Guatemala, and Honduras, who communities. Have all areas recognized the Gulf as a shared endowed with management ecosystem and saw the need to plans, long-term financial plans, collaborate in the management of the and adequate resources. coastal-marine resources of the Gulf. At this time, there were PDOs working on 2. Promote the development of a protected areas management in each legislative, regulatory, and country: TIDE in Port Honduras and institutional framework Paynes Creek, FUNDAECO in Cerro San compatible among the three Gil and Sarstún, FUNDARY in Punta de countries, and a tri-national Manabique, and PROLANSATE in Punta agreement for the sustainable Sal (Jeannette Kawas National Park) and management of fishing in the Punta Izopo. Other PDOs were working Gulf, based on scientific on environmental policy in the three information and the countries. Recognizing that the organizational and participative conservation of the Gulf required a tri- structures of local fishermen and national vision, they decided to begin other key actors. working on landscapes. 3. Promote the development and The mission of TRIGOH is to conserve the strict enforcement of biodiversity of the Gulf of Honduras and environmental criteria and to improve the quality of life of the local standards for the large communities, through tri-national economic development coordination in the sustainable activities in the Gulf, especially management of the coastal-marine coastal development and the resources. TRIGOH founds its work on the environmental management of following values: 1) an ecosystemic and ports and maritime traffic. integral vision of the Gulf of Honduras, 2) the participation of all the actors, without 4. Promote and consolidate any discrimination, 3) tri-national economic activities compatible coordination at all levels, 4) the with the conservation of nature, application of multidisciplinary scientific especially the establishment information, and 5) respect for traditional and joint marketing of tri- values and knowledge of the several national sustainable tourism ethnic and indigenous groups (TRIGOH, routes, with high participation 1999). and leadership from local inhabitants.

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1.2 Site Description 5. Protect endangered species, especially the West Indies PROARCA/Costas defined the Gulf of manatee and sea turtles, in a Honduras as the coastal-marine areas joint, coordinated manner. between Punta Izopo, (N15.9 and W87.6) in the northern coast of 6. Carry out joint, coordinated Honduras, and Gladden Spit (N16.5 research and environmental and W88.0), Belize, therefore including monitoring activities, in support of the southwestern end of the the systematic application of Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (see coastal zone integrated the “Base map of the Gulf of management processes. Honduras” in the Annexes).

7. Strengthen the coordination During the workshops, it was decided forum by developing a that it would not be feasible to include communications system, periodic the whole area of the watersheds of meetings, publications, capacity the Gulf, because the extent of some building, fund raising, exchange (Motagua, Ulúa, Dulce-Polochic, and programs, and the creation of Chamelecón) is ample. So, it was alliances with international decided to include only the lower part institutions. of the watersheds, up to 500 m above sea level (Cerro San Gil, Sierra Caral, TRIGOH and PROARCA, first through , and Sierra Santa Costas and now through APM, have Cruz in Guatemala; Sierra Meledón in collaborated on the development of this Honduras; in Belize). Site Conservation Plan for the Gulf, with In Guatemala, it was decided to the active participation of other extend the Gulf to the western limit of El institutions. The development of this plan Golfete, because the seawater of the complements the objectives and tides reaches there. activities of TRIGOH, by creating a framework to establish priorities of action. The Gulf covers approximately some 10,000 Km2, including parts of the The purpose of the plan is to define which Exclusive Economic Zones of the three ecosystems and species are to be countries. conserved, which threats are being faced by these ecosystems and species, The narrow proximity between the which strategies and actions can be environments of riverine estuaries, implemented to reduce the threats, and mangrove swamps, marine grasslands, how progress in conservation can be reefs, and deep ocean waters measured. contribute to the high marine productivity and the high biodiversity The Site Conservation Plan is a work found within the Gulf. instrument that allows the prioritization of actions, and the efficient focusing of the The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System use of limited resources available for is the largest in the hemisphere, and conservation. This work will have multiple when the Presidents of Mexico, Belize, evaluations with the purpose of Guatemala, and Honduras signed the measuring management effectiveness Agreements of 1997 in Mexico, and new needs that might arise from the they committed to collaborate to dynamic changes caused by the use of achieve its conservation. resources and their conservation in the Gulf of Honduras tri-national site.

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The coastal-marine system of the Gulf is (1999), is the most influenced by three main important estuarine ecosystem of oceanographic and hydrologic Guatemala, due to its size, state of processes, the most important one being conservation, ecologic and socio- the forking of the Cayman current economic value, and great ecotourism coming from the north, which induces potential. The benthic communities the spin of a countercurrent, resulting in a within Amatique Bay are controlled by south current of 2 to 4 Km/h west of the an influx of much sediment and and within the Gulf. freshwater, and are less diverse and The second phenomenon is productive than the benthic precipitation, which surpasses 3,000 mm communities farther north. Exceptions in the Gulf, and the presence of 15 rivers, to this are the Río Sarstún mouth, which including 3 big ones (Motagua, sustains the largest shrimp production in Chamelecón, and Ulúa), which the Gulf, and Río Dulce, which once contribute a large discharge of was one of the most productive rivers in freshwater and sediments. The third, and the region. occasional, phenomenon is the entry of nutrient-rich oceanic waters into Gulf, in Marine productivity within the Gulf is the opposite direction to the prevailing maintained in great measure by the surface current (ICSED, volume I, 2000). contributions of the most important rivers, their estuaries, and the humid The coastal zone of southern Belize is coastlands bathed by tides, populated characterized by lowland habitats that mostly by mangroves. The mangrove include great areas of freshwater forests of the Sarstún-Temash system wetlands, tropical hardwood forests, pine and the Port Honduras-Payne’s Creek forests, open savannas, and vast system together constitute the largest mangrove swamps that have been mangrove forest area in all Belize and formed as a result of changes in the sea the Caribbean coast of Guatemala; level, which rises and floods the coastal they provide critical habitat for most of lowlands (see the “Ecoregions” map and the marine vertebrate and invertebrate the “Life Zones, according to Holdridge” species within the Gulf and beyond. map in the Annexes). The coast of Belize The cayes within Port Honduras are the also has an area of cayes dominated by only mangrove cayes in this humid mangrove forests inland and submerged tropical climate, and shelter a banks with marine grasses – an extensive significant diversity of scale fish. Marine habitat for marine and estuarine, benthic grasslands are abundant in the coast of and pelagic fish and invertebrates. The Guatemala, close to Punta de form the southwest end Manabique, as well as within Port of the Belize Barrier Reef, and are found Honduras. within the Gulf of Honduras. The Gulf has commercially exploited The coast of Guatemala is, in general, a populations of shrimp, lobster, conch, more abrupt littoral, with high, forested and scale fish (e.g., snapper, jack, areas looking out on the coast. mackerel, snook, and grouper), and Amatique Bay is a complex ecosystem, important populations of sport fish composed of coastal lagoons, mangrove (tarpon, permit, snook). Also, the Gulf forests, herbaceous wetlands, flood provides habitat for several forests, and marine grasslands, all endangered species, including the influenced by marine currents, riverine West Indies manatee (Trichecus systems (Río Dulce-El Golfete, Río Sarstún, manatus manatus), bottlenose and and ), and canals. Atlantic spotted dolphins (Tursiops According to Yañez-Arancibia et al. truncatus and Stenella frontalis), whale

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shark (Rhincodon typus), American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), yellow- headed parrot (Amazona oratrix), and the following sea turtles: green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta).

The Gulf has half a million inhabitants, mainly concentrated in the port cities of Santo Tomás de Castilla and Puerto Barrios (100,000+), and Puerto Cortés (100,000). Livingston (40,000) and Tela are smaller cities, and on the south of Belize, Punta Gorda has a population of only 4,000 inhabitants (Heyman and Graham, 2000 and PROLANSATE, 1999). The highest population density is found in Guatemala (95 persons / Km2); it is lower in Honduras (49 persons / Km2), and lowest in Belize (9 persons / Km2). This uneven distribution is reflected in the use of natural resources. For example, when fisheries resources in Guatemala and Honduras are depleted, fishermen from these countries fish illegally in Belizean waters (Heyman and Björn, 1999).

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II. ELEMENTS OF CONSERVATION AND THREATS

All the selected conservation elements 2.1 Coral Reefs are coastal-marine ecosystems: coral Reefs are ecosystems characterized by reefs, mangrove forests, marine their high biodiversity. Marine grasslands, beach systems, estuaries and grassland–mangrove forest– coastal lagoons, and herbaceous complexes are important as wetlands (which include flood forests). reproduction areas for marine fauna There was a long discussion on how to species (TIDE, 1998). In the Gulf, include endangered and commercial examples of these ecosystems include species. Instead of including them as the south part of the Belize barrier reef, conservation elements, apart from a complex labyrinth of reef patches ecosystems, it was decided to over a wide and relatively deep reef incorporate each species in the (TIDE, 1998); and some isolated ecosystems in which it is found. For reef patches in Guatemala and example, sea turtles are found within the Honduras. “beach systems” element, where they nest, and within marine grasslands, where The reef ecosystems of Belize are they feed. This means that when important in the western hemisphere analyzing the viability of each element, due to their size and diversity, as well as the viability of the populations of these for the remarkable development of species was taken into account. For some corals in pristine conditions. As example, when defining threats faced by shown in the “Conservation Elements” beaches, illegal extraction of sea turtle map, most of the reefs in the Gulf are eggs was included. found in Belize. The Belize coral barrier stands out: some 220 linear kilometers where atolls and other formations, almost unique in the , are found (Windevoxhel, 1997). Patches of coral can be found in great surfaces off , Punta Gorda, and the Snake Cayes (see the “Conservation Elements” map in the Annexes).

In Guatemala there are small patches of coral reef, located in Amatique Bay and the north side of Punta de Manabique, including some patches near the mouth of Motagua River. According to the participants of the SCP workshops, in Honduras there are coral patches off Omoa, Puerto Cortés, and Tela Bay. In Tela Bay, corals are less than 6 kilometers from the coast, at a depth of less than 27 m. The participants said that there are reef Laughing Bird Key. Photo: FUNDARY patches in Cincuentón and Cuarentón,

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off Río Quehueche, off La Guaira, Tirana represent almost the whole reef Gú Los Altares (near Bajo de Heredia), in cover of the Gulf. El Pulpo, Langua, Faro Blanco, and Faro Rojo. They also said that there are corals Due to the natural effect of at approximately 72 kilometers off the hurricanes, added to the increase coast, at depths between 36 and 90 m. in seawater temperature, coral bleaching is present in a high Participants of the first workshop percentage of the corals in the emphasized the importance of reefs Belizean continental platform, where spawning aggregations take between 2 and 4 meters deep; its place, because these sites sustain the recuperative capacity is unknown. fisheries of several places. For example, Also, algae cover is greater than it Gladden Spit is a site in the south of Belize used to be. In general, the corals where several snapper and grouper most resistant to bleaching are the species spawn, and where whale sharks ones in the greatest depths, on feed. walls, and close to outcroppings, where there is less direct sunlight Endangered species associated to the and temperatures are low. A reefs include the whale shark (Rhincodon natural reef quality gradient exists: typus), the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops from best in the Belizean part of the truncatus), the Atlantic spotted dolphin Gulf, to worst in Guatemala and (Stenella frontalis), and the following sea Honduras. Therefore, a good turtles: green (Chelonia mydas), condition is based both on health leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and distribution. hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta). ¨ Landscape context: Good. There is Commercial species include: lobster great representation of non- (Panulirus argus), queen conch (Strombus fragmented reefs in the south of gigas), crabs (Calianactus sp.), tarpon Belize. The rest of reefs are naturally (Megelops atlantica), grouper separate, and their connection is (Epinephelus sp.), jack (family for the most part by means of Carangidae), snapper (family marine currents. The corals to the Lutjanidae), dolphinfish (Coryphaina south are product of the large area hippurus), mackerel (family Scombridae), in Belize, so all corals in the Gulf of and bonefish (Albula vulpes). Snapper Honduras are recognized as a and cubera snapper (family Lutjanidae) single system. are fished in the rocky corals of Guatemala. Stresses (Global Value: high)

Viability (Global Value: good) ¨ Habitat destruction and conversion: Medium. High severity, low extent. ¨ Size: Good. The largest coral reef In the Sapodilla Cayes there is areas are in Belize, with some in physical damage, and even Guatemala and some off the destruction, of coral reefs by Honduran coast. anchors dropped on the reefs and by tourists collecting pieces as ¨ Condition: Good, in general. In souvenirs. Also, constructions in the Guatemala and Honduras the Belize Cayes have caused coral condition of the reefs is poor, but they reef destruction and conversion. are represented in the whole area. In Belize, the reef system is big and its ¨ Sedimentation: Medium. High condition good, and these reefs severity, medium extent.

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There is much sedimentation at the ¨ Climate change: High. The effect mouths of the Motagua River in of climate change is seen in the Guatemala and the Ulúa and bleaching of corals, which has Chamelecón rivers in Honduras, happened throughout the whole caused in large part by intensive distribution of reefs, especially agriculture in the Motagua and Sula affecting corals in shallow waters. valleys. Sediments transported by Río The recuperative capacity of corals Ulúa travel all the way to the reef off is yet unknown. Tela Bay and the Punta Sal reefs. There is less sedimentation in Belize ¨ Inappropriate agricultural and than in the other two countries. animal farming practices: Medium. These include banana, African ¨ Habitat perturbation: High. High palm, sugarcane, and melon severity, very high extent. Tourism is a plantations in the Sula valley source of physical perturbation of the (Honduras) and the Motagua valley coral reefs. In Placencia, Belize, (Guatemala). In the department of remains of corals can be seen. There Izabal, Guatemala, cattle raisers dig are places where black coral is drainage ditches to dry swamps, looted to make tourist artifacts. which cause sedimentation. Also, shrimp and citric fruit farms in ¨ Altered composition and structure: Placencia contribute to the High. Very high severity, high extent. contamination and sedimentation Natural events like hurricanes and of waters. climate change (which causes coral bleaching in shallow areas) affect the ¨ Inappropriate fishing practices: coral reefs. The elimination of some High. Includes the use of illegal predators (such as groupers) affects fishing methods (such as harpoons), the whole system. use of gill nets and dragnets, uncontrolled industrial fishing, Sources of stress (Global Value: high) indiscriminate capture of accompanying fauna, fishing ¨ Tourism development: High. Tourists during no take seasons and in no- and tour operators drop anchors on take areas, illegal cross-border the reef, ripping pieces off, and they fishing, and fishing in spawning build in sensitive areas such as the aggregations. Belize Cayes.

Table 1. Hierarchical values for viability, stresses, and sources of stress for coral reefs

Viability Value Stresses Value Sources of stress Value Size Good Habitat destruction Medium Tourism development High Condition Good Sedimentation Medium Climate change High Landscape Inappropriate agricultural and Good Habitat perturbation High Medium context animal farming practices Altered composition and structure High Inappropriate fishing practices High Global Value Good Global Value High Global Value High

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2.2 Mangrove Forests

Mangrove forests constitute very particular forest ecosystems, because mangroves are facultative halophyte plants that grow in environments under the influence of continuous tide fluctuation. They possess adaptations that make them highly competitive in environments where other plants cannot subsist.

Mangroves are particularly important in ecologic terms, because they provide habitats or banks for crustaceans, mollusks, and fish; wintering habitat for migratory birds; and habitat for resident birds, reptiles, and mammals. Laguna de Los Micos, Jeannette Kawas National Park Photo: FUNDARY Along the Gulf, in the islands, estuaries, There are approximately 707 Ha of and coastal lagoons that are under the mangrove forests in La Graciosa Bay, influence of tidal fluctuation, mangrove Canal Inglés, Cocolías, Sarstún, Punta forests can be seen growing, with relative de Palma, and Amatique Bay. In abundance of different genera. Honduras, mangrove forests surround all the coastal lagoons, being more The dominant species is red mangrove abundant in De Alvarado Lagoon, De (Rhizophora mangle); there is a smaller Los Micos Lagoon in the Jeannette proportion of black mangrove Kawas National Park, Laguna Negra in (Avicennia germinans), white mangrove Tela, and the Punta Izopo National (Laguncularia racemosa), and Park. The largest mangrove forest buttonwood mangrove (Conocarpus region in the Gulf is the Sarstún-Temash erectus). The mangrove forests of the bi-national (Belize-Guatemala) area. Gulf can be classified as riverine, littoral, and insular mangrove forests. Endangered species associated to mangrove forests include West Indies As the “Conservation Elements” map manatee (Trichechus manatus), shows (see the Annexes), there are American crocodile (Crocodylus mangrove forests in almost the whole acutus), ducks (Dendrocygna south coast of Belize, especially in automnalis and Anas discor), great Placencia, Port Honduras, and the banks curassow (Crax rubra), and capuchin, of the main rivers: Deep, Sarstoon, and howler, and spider monkeys (Cebus Temash. capucinus, Allouatta pigra, and Ateles geoffroyi). According to Yáñez-Arancibia et al. (1999), an analysis of aerial photographs The main commercial species include and satellite images has shown that queen conch (Strombus gigas), crown mangrove forests colonize 91.9 Km of the conch (Melongena sp.), shrimp Caribbean coast of Guatemala (which is (Penaeus spp.), crabs (Calianactus sp.), some 185 Km long). tarpon (Megelops atlantica), grouper (Epinephilas sp.) and snapper (family Lutjanidae).

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Medium severity, high extent. Viability (Global Value: good) Perturbation is related to the ecosystem function of mangrove ¨ Size: Good. The size is considered forests. They are not highly good, because there are mangrove perturbed – they still function as forests in all the places mentioned ecologic niches for the feeding and above, but there is fragmentation in reproduction of certain species, but some sites caused by human some species stop behaving in a activities. Guatemala has less natural manner. Human activities mangrove forest cover than Belize such as fishing, hunting, and boat and Honduras. traffic can displace certain species, or change their behavior. ¨ Condition: Good. The condition of the mangrove is good, since there is ¨ Altered composition and structure: representation in all the area. Medium. Medium severity, medium extent. The horizontal and vertical ¨ Landscape context: Fair. There exist structure of mangrove forests has stresses (such as fragmentation and been altered by the extraction of habitat conversion) on the mangrove firewood (roots and branches), and forests and coastal forests that by the construction of infrastructure diminish connectiveness. and the expansion of agricultural areas. The fragmentation alters the Stresses (Global Value: high) structure of mangrove forests, and that degrades niches for bird, ¨ Habitat destruction and conversion: mammal, and other species. High. High severity, high extent. Higher in Guatemala and Honduras ¨ Nutrient overload: Medium. than in Belize. For example, in Medium severity, high extent. Honduras the development of Caused by agricultural practices, infrastructure and agricultural such as the use of fertilizers in rice plantations have caused destruction crops in Honduras; wastewater; and and conversion of the mangrove solid wastes, especially in the cities forests. of Puerto Barrios and Puerto Cortés.

¨ Habitat fragmentation: High. High Sources of stress (Global Value: high) severity and high extent. Mangrove forests have been fragmented in the ¨ Inappropriate agricultural and coastline of Guatemala in Sarstún animal farming practices: High. and Punta de Palma, because of the These forest ecosystems are being building of chalets and the expansion threatened by tree cutting for of coastal communities. In Río Dulce firewood, construction, and by the and El Golfete there are patches of change of land use (Espinal, 1994). mangrove forest, but very The latter is caused by productive fragmented by constructions. In activities, such as intensive and Honduras, there is fragmentation subsistence agriculture, cattle because of the construction of the raising, and aquaculture. road that connects Guatemala with Puerto Cortés. In Belize there is ¨ Pollution by wastewater and solid fragmentation because of the wastes: Medium. Includes the lack construction of the south road. of management of wastewater and solid wastes in coastal cities and ¨ Habitat perturbation: Medium. communities.

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¨ Urban development and access roads: High. Expansion of coastal cities and communities, and construction of the south road in Toledo, Belize, and the road between Puerto Cortés and Izabal, Guatemala.

¨ Development of industrial infrastructure: High. Expansion of the ports.

¨ Tourism development: High. The development of tourism infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, country houses, marinas, and private piers) affects the mangrove forests systems.

¨ Selective extraction of timber and firewood: Medium. In El Triunfo and in Laguna Negra, Honduras, community people extract mangrove to make charcoal.

¨ Wildlife poaching: Medium. West Indies manatee, great curassow, and other species are illegally hunted.

¨ Maritime transportation: Low. The frequent passage of ships and boats along the maritime transportation routes contributes to habitat perturbation.

Table 2. Hierarchical values for viability, stresses, and sources of stress for mangrove forests

Viability Value Stresses Value Sources of stress Value Inappropriate agricultural and animal Size Good Habitat destruction High High farming practices Condition Good Habitat fragmentation High Contamination by solid wastes Medium Landscape Fair Habitat perturbation Medium Urban development and access roads High context Altered composition Medium Development of industrial infrastructure High and structure Nutrient overload Medium Tourism development High Selective extraction of timber and Medium firewood Wildlife poaching Medium Maritime transportation Low Global Value Good Global Value High Global Value High

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2.3 Marine grasslands According to the “Conservation Elements” map (see the Annexes), the Marine grasslands are marine ecosystems largest marine grasslands are found off composed of aquatic plants of the the coast of Belize and around the Syringodium and Thalassia genera barrier reefs and reef patches, to a (FUNDARY, 2001 and TIDE, 1998), depth of approximately 5 meters. colonized by stable and tranquil (without In Guatemala, there are approximately much wave motion) sediments in shallow 3,750 Ha of marine grasslands in the waters, with high transparency and central and eastern parts of Amatique intermediate salinity. Marine grasslands Bay and La Graciosa Bay (ibid.). are frequently associated to coral reefs. They constitute biotic systems with a high There are also patches in Laguna relevance as producers in the trophic Grande in Sarstún, to the south of the chain. They serve as important breeding mouth of Río Sarstún, in El Golfete, areas for many fish and invertebrate Bahía Santo Tomás, the mouth of Río species, and they provide important San Carlos and Punta de Palma, and feeding habitat for the sea turtles of the the north side of Punta de Manabique. Gulf. In the north coast of Honduras, there are marine grasslands between Omoa In the Gulf, the dominant species is and Chachaguala, in the Jeannette Thalassia testudinum, but patches of Kawas National Park and in Tela Bay. Halodule wrigthii and Syringodium filiforme can also be found. There are Endangered species associated with approximately 15 Ha of Vallisneria marine grasslands include West Indies americana in El Golfete (Yáñez- manatee (Trichechus manatus), Arancibia et al., 1999). bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Tursiops truncatus, Stenella frontalis), and the following sea turtles: green (Chelonia mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta).

Commercial species include lobster (Panulirus argus), queen conch (Strombus gigas), crown conch (Melongena sp.), shrimp (Penaeus spp.), crabs (Calianactus sp.), anchovy (Anchoa sp.), tarpon (Megelops atlantica), and bonefish (Albula vulpes).

Viability (Global Value: good)

¨ Size: Good. Marine grasslands are represented in all the Gulf of Honduras, and they have areas large enough to ensure their recuperation.

Bahía La Graciosa, APE Punta de Manabique. Photo: FUNDARY

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¨ Condition: Good. In Honduras, ¨ Contamination by toxic substances: specifically in Omoa, marine grasses Medium. High severity, medium are suffering a disease that begins at extent. It is a current and also a the tips of the leaves and extends potential stress. Contamination towards the stems. Sedimentation is occurs when ships empty their also affecting the grasslands. It is a tanks, when ships are painted, factor that inhibits connectiveness. when small spills take place, and by inappropriate disposal of used oil ¨ Landscape context: Fair. The disease and other toxic substances in the that affects the grasses is fragmenting ports of the Gulf. and inhibiting the connectiveness, and can constitute a threat. As a potential stress, it is speculated that the effect of a possible oil (or Stresses (Global Value: medium) other toxic substance) spill could have a high extent, depending on ¨ Sedimentation: Low. Low severity, the location and size of the spill and very high extent. It diminishes the strength of the marine currents. photosynthesis of the marine grasses and causes deposition. In ¨ Altered composition and structure: Guatemala, severity is moderate, High. High severity, very high because the marine grasslands are extent. within Amatique Bay, while the greatest sources of sedimentation are There is a change in the structure of the rivers, especially Motagua River. the marine grasslands, due to the Anyhow, sediment deposits from overfishing of conch, sea turtles dredging are high. In Belize, the (green, especially), West Indies effect of sediments in the river mouths manatee, fish, mollusks, and is low. The marine grassland sites that crustaceans that spend part of their are affected by sedimentation are lives in the grasslands. The extent is Manabique and Río Dulce. In very high because there are no conclusion, the effect of sites in the Gulf that have not been sedimentation is low, because affected by this stress. sediments disperse before reaching the marine grasslands. Sources of stress (Global Value: high)

¨ Habitat perturbation: High. High ¨ Inappropriate agricultural and severity, high extent. The speed of animal farming practices: Low. marine grassland restoration is unknown. Grasses are destroyed by This source of stress is a combination dragnets used by shrimp boats, of intensive and subsistence mainly in Amatique Bay and in the agriculture, and cattle raising Belize Cayes, off Placencia. The practices. Intensive agriculture is severity of habitat perturbation is high responsible for contamination by because the nets completely pull out toxic substances. some grasses. ¨ Tourism development: Low. Many Currently there is not as much fishing owners remove marine grass and in the coast as before, because there substitute it with sand, to create are no white shrimp. Therefore, fishing artificial beaches or to extend occurs in deeper waters, and existing beaches. grasslands are not very degraded.

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¨ Inappropriate fishing practices: High. The overexploitation of conch and other species alters the structure and composition of associated species populations.

¨ Maritime transportation: Medium. Includes development of marinas and contamination from spills. The risk of spills from the toxic material transportation is high.

¨ Petroleum exploration and exploitation: Low. This is a potential threat.

¨ Wildlife poaching: High. Contributes to altered composition and structure. Includes manatee poaching and the capture of sea turtles in fishing nets.

Table 3. Hierarchical values for viability, stresses, and sources of stress for marine grasslands

Viability Value Stresses Value Sources of stress Value Inappropriate agricultural Size Good Sedimentation Low and animal farming Low Condition Good Habitat perturbation High Tourism development Low Landscape Inappropriate fishing Fair Contamination by toxic substances Medium High context practices Altered composition and structure High Maritime transportation Medium Petroleum exploration and Low exploitation Wildlife poaching High

Global Value Good Global Value Medium Global Value High

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2.4 Beach Systems

Beaches constitute dynamic areas. The shape of a beach changes continually, due to the transportation of sand by waves, currents, tides, and the wind. In the Caribbean, the sand is composed of coral and conch remains.

Ecologically, beaches provide nesting, feeding, and resting areas for sea turtles, birds, crustaceans, and others species. Beach systems include not only the strip of sand and rock and the wave action zone, but also the vegetation behind the beach and the shallow marine waters off the beach, both areas being ecologically associated to the beach. Miami community, Jeannette Kawas National Park. Photo: FUNDARY The “Conservation Elements” map (see Viability (Global Value: good) the Annexes) shows the location of beaches in the Gulf. Beach systems are ¨ Size: Very good. There is a good located in Port Honduras, Placencia, and extension of rocky and sandy the Sapodilla Cayes in Belize beaches. (approximately 220 Km); Punta de Manabique, Punta de Palma, and Siete ¨ Condition: Good. The condition of Altares in Guatemala (approximately 185 the beaches is basically being Km); and Punta Sal, Masca, Omoa, altered by contamination, tourism, Puerto Cortés, and Tela Bay in Honduras and extraction of associated (approximately 200 Km). species. In Guatemala, for example in Punta de Manabique, Associated endangered species include the solid and liquid wastes that yellow-headed parrot (Amazona oratrix); come from Motagua River affect iguana (Iguana iguana); the beach systems. Other threats (Panthera onca); and capuchin, howler, are the lethal yellowing of coconut and spider monkeys (Cebus capucinus, palms, cattle ranches, and the Allouatta pigra, and Ateles geoffroyi). extraction of sea turtles and Commercial species include lobster iguanas. In Belize, hotels and (Panulirus argus), queen conch (Strombus tourism complexes are transforming gigas), crown conch (Melongena sp.), the ecosystem. There is also shrimp (Penaeus spp.), crabs extraction of iguanas, natural and (Calianactus sp.), anchovy (Achoa sp.), anthropogenic erosion, and water is snook (Centropomus undecimalis), misused. In Honduras, there is lethal tarpon (Megelops atlantica), and the yellowing of coconut palms, tourism following sea turtles: green (Chelonia development problems, and mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys wastewater discharge. coriacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and loggerhead (Caretta ¨ Landscape context: Good. The caretta). oceanographic connectiveness and continental connectiveness are good in the Gulf of Honduras.

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There exists connectiveness between the beaches and other ecosystems There is poaching of monkeys in by means of marine currents and the Bajamar and Cerro Cardona (to the transportation of river sand. However, east of Puerto Cortés). Parrots are the continental connectiveness is hunted in Omoa and Manabique. being threatened by the cultivation Shrimp and lobster are overfished of African palm and by tourism off the beaches of Tela, as are development. crabs in Puerto Cortés. In Guatemala, the overfishing of Stresses (Global Value: high) anchovy (Achoa sp.) occurs between San Francisco del Mar and ¨ Beach erosion: Medium. High Cabo Tres Puntas, and in Estero severity, medium extent. Drainage Lagarto, Pichilingo, Punta de Palma, ditches, dikes, sea walls, and and Santa María. Sea turtle eggs breakwaters have been built. are illegally collected between Hurricanes have contributed highly to Quetzalito and San Francisco del erosion, which is irreversible. There is Mar. beach erosion in Cortés, , the Sapodilla Cayes, the south ¨ Nutrient overload: High. High of Manabique, between Punta de severity, high extent. It is due mainly Palma and Santa María, and in to urban development, with a high Bajamar (in the Chamelecón River and irreversible contribution, due to sandbar) in Honduras. the high cost of reversion. It occurs in Cortés, Tela, and Manabique, ¨ Habitat fragmentation: High. High through the mouths of the Ulúa, severity, very high extent. It is due Chamelecón, and Motagua rivers mainly to urban development, and the Canal Martínez. tourism development, and inappropriate agricultural and animal ¨ Hydrologic alteration: High. High farming practices. For example, the severity, very high extent. There construction of houses (country exists hydrologic alteration caused houses and the expansion of rural by sand extraction. Also, the communities) has eliminated the degradation of watersheds affects vegetation behind the beaches in the speed, direction, and salinity of Tela (Triunfo de la Cruz, Ensenada, marine water streams and that Tela, Tornabé, and San Juan), affects the beaches. For example, between Puerto Cortés and Tulián, there are strong discharges of fresh from Omoa to the Guatemalan water after the rains, and no border, in Punta de Manabique, and watershed recuperation has been in Placencia. observed after Hurricane Mitch. In hydrologic alteration, the ¨ Altered composition and structure: contribution is medium, and the High. High severity, very high extent. irreversibility is also medium. There is Poaching iguanas, sea turtle eggs, hydrologic alteration in the rivers parrots, and other species associated Tinto, Ulúa, Chamelecón, Tulián, to beaches has had a negative Omoa, Masca, Motagua, impact on their populations. Iguanas Chachaguala, and Cuyamel. are hunted in the beaches of Tela, Omoa, and Punta de Manabique. ¨ Contamination by toxic substances: Toucans are hunted in Tela, Omoa, High. High severity, high extent. and Manabique. Includes contamination by agrochemicals, solid wastes, and ship wastes.

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Sources of stress (Global Value: very is very high. As it affects habitat high) fragmentation, structure, and composition, associated populations are reduced. The ¨ Urban development and access establishment of marinas is more roads: Very high. Causes the frequent, but in general terms their elimination or fragmentation of contribution is medium. Tourism vegetation behind the beaches. development contributes to erosion in a very low way, because it is not ¨ Maritime transportation: High. The very generalized. construction of breakwaters and sea Another problem is the use of walls has a reduced contribution to beach sand for construction. the stress of erosion, because it is not a highly generalized practice and is ¨ Inappropriate agricultural and reversible, using legislation. For animal farming practices: Medium. habitat fragmentation, it provides a Cattle raising and the cultivation of medium contribution and medium corn and fodder cause irreversibility. For composition and fragmentation of the ecosystems by structure, the sea walls alter the using up resources such as currents where they are placed, but mangrove and beach resources. the impact is low throughout the Gulf. ¨ Wildlife poaching: High. It changes ¨ Climate change: High. The sea level the composition and structure of increase due to climate change is associated populations. contributing highly to the erosion of beaches. In the case of Belize, ¨ Pollution by wastewater and solid beaches have almost been lost. The wastes: Medium. In Guatemala, sea level is expected to increase the nutrient overload is high between 2 and 6 millimeters each because of wastewater discharge. year, equivalent of up to 6 Two sewage treatment plants have centimeters in 10 years. been built in Puerto Barrios. Punta de Manabique receives all the ¨ Tourism development: High. Tourism garbage of the Motagua River infrastructure (hotels, country houses, watershed. Solid wastes affect the and / or piers) has been built in composition and structure of the almost all the beaches of the Gulf. In populations of associated species. habitat fragmentation, the For example, plastic bags affect contribution of tourism development sea turtles (specifically leatherbacks), which confuse them with medusas. Table 4. Hierarchical values for viability, stresses, and sources of stress for beach systems Viability Value Stresses Value Sources of stress Value Urban development and Size Very Good Beach erosion Medium Very High access roads Condition Good Habitat fragmentation High Maritime transportation High Landscape Good Altered composition and structure High Climate change High context Nutrient overload High Tourism development High Inappropriate agricultural Hydrologic alteration High and animal farming Medium practices Contamination by toxic substances High Wildlife poaching High Contamination by solid Medium wastes Global Value Good Global Value High Global Value Very High

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2.5 Estuaries and Coastal In Honduras lagoons include De Alvarado, De los Micos, De Lagoons Chachaguala, De los Diamantes, Verde, Negra, Río Tinto, De Cintino, and Estuaries are complex aquatic systems De Jaloa. Finally, in Guatemala, the where seawater and freshwater mix. lagoons are Laguna Grande in Sarstún, They are directly influenced by tidal Verde in Punta de Palma, Santa Isabel, fluctuation: the extension of brackish Escondida, Estero Lagarto, Quetzalito, water varies during the rainy and dry Chocón Machacas, Cocolí, San seasons. They are high biodiversity Francisco, and Jabalí. ecosystems, which receive nutrients from the watersheds. Lankford (1977) defines It is important to mention the presence a coastal lagoon as a “depression of the of West Indies manatee (Trichechus coastal zone, below the average of the manatus) in these systems: it has been highest tides, having a permanent or seen in Port Honduras, Río Sarstún, El ephemeral communication with the sea, Golfete, La Graciosa Bay, the mouth of but protected from the sea by some type Motagua River, and in various coastal of barrier.” lagoons of Honduras. The “Conservation Elements” map (see Also to be found here are the American Annexes) shows the location of the crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), estuaries and coastal lagoons in the Gulf. bottlenose and Atlantic spotted The estuaries are found in the mouths of dolphins (Tursiops truncatus and the principal rivers, such as Monkey River, Stenella frontalis), and ducks Deep River, Río Temash, Sarstún, Río (Dendrocygna automnalis and Anas Dulce, Bahía Santo Tomás, Río Pichilingo, discor). Commercial species associated La Graciosa Bay and Canal Inglés, and with these ecosystems include crown the rivers San Francisco, Motagua, Ulúa, conch (Melongena sp.), shrimp Chamelecón, Coto, Frío, Tulián, and (Penaeus spp.), crabs (Calianactus sp.), Cuyamel. The number and size of anchovy (Anchoa sp.), snook coastal lagoons is larger in Belize, then (Centropomus undecimalis), tarpon Honduras, followed last by Guatemala. (Megelops atlantica), jacks (family In Belize there are coastal lagoons in Carangidae), snappers (family Placencia, Monkey River, and Punta Lutjanidae), dolphinfish (Coryphaena Ycacos. hippurus), and mojarra (Cichlasoma sp.).

Viability (Global Value: good)

¨ Size: Very good. There are extensive areas of estuaries and coastal lagoons in the Gulf.

¨ Condition: Good. In general, the condition of the estuaries and coastal lagoons is considered good. In Belize, the estuaries and coastal lagoons are in a good state, because the is good, and because there are many species present. In Guatemala, Bahía de la Graciosa, APE Punta de Manabique. there are healthy areas and Photo: FUNDARY

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degraded areas. Sarstún, Santa especially in the watersheds of Isabel Lagoon, and Quetzalito have Guatemala and Honduras. The little contamination and low resource main rivers (Motagua, Ulúa, and extraction. However, Amatique Bay Chamelecón) produce large and Motagua River are highly plumes of sediments that strongly polluted, and the lagoons of Chocón affect the areas close to their Machacas suffer vegetation mouths. De Alvarado Lagoon extraction. In Honduras, receives sediments from contamination harms De Alvarado Chamelecón River. Dredging has Lagoon, and there is sedimentation increased the amount of sediments caused by deforestation. De Los to the south of Placencia; in Micos Lagoon has medium Guatemala there are many contamination, but the rest of small sediments in the mouths of the rivers lagoons are in good conditions. The Motagua, Sarstún, and Dulce, and estuaries are in good condition: they in Santo Tomás Bay. are not very contaminated. ¨ Nutrient overload: Medium. High ¨ Landscape context: Good. The severity, medium extent. The degradation of watersheds causes nutrient overload includes nitrates the degradation and disappearance and phosphates carried by the of some estuaries and coastal rivers. It comes from wastewater lagoons. In Belize, there is only one from the cities (Puerto Barrios, Santo (Agua Caliente) where Tomás, Puerto Cortés, Tela), and degradation of the watershed affects from the fertilizers and wastes of the connectiveness between the agricultural and industrial estuary and the watershed. In companies. Fertilizers and Guatemala, the landscape context is wastewater pollute Río Dulce, while fair, because of the watershed a butter factory pollutes De Los degradation and the lack of Micos Lagoon. integrated management of the Motagua, Polochic, and Sarstún ¨ Hydrologic alteration: Medium. watersheds. In Honduras, the Medium severity, medium extent. landscape context is good, except The degradation of watersheds for De Alvarado Lagoon, which is affects the distribution of freshwater highly affected by the degradation of over time, producing higher peaks Chamelecón River. in the rainy season (less salinity) and less flow in the dry season (higher Stresses (Global Value: high) salinity). In Honduras, the dam constructed in Río Ulúa affects the ¨ Habitat perturbation: Medium. direction of flow towards the Medium severity, high extent. Several lagoon and wetlands in Tela Bay. activities contribute to the degradation of estuarine habitats: ¨ Habitat conversion: Low. Medium use of improper fishing methods, severity, low extent. Mangrove is dredging in the ports and maritime extracted for firewood in the transportation routes, deposition of lagoons. For example, in Honduras dredge residue in estuarine areas (La much of the mangrove forests Graciosa Bay), and water pollution. around De Los Micos Lagoon and De los Diamantes Bay have been ¨ Sedimentation: High. High severity, destroyed. high extent. Sedimentation is high due to the change in land use,

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Sources of stress (Global Value: high) Honduras, to the border with Guatemala cause sedimentation. ¨ Inappropriate agricultural and animal The growth of cities and rural farming practices: High. In the communities also causes banana, African palm, cattle, sedimentation and nutrient vegetable, and shrimp farms, the overload. change of land use increases the sedimentation, and the indiscriminate ¨ Contamination by solid wastes: use of agrochemicals causes Medium. Its major contribution is contamination. The water discharge the discharge of nutrients in the by shrimp farms alters the freshwater. coastal lagoon systems. Lagoons eutrophicate quicker, because they ¨ Tourism development: Medium. The are semi-closed systems (especially impact of tourism development is De Alvarado Lagoon and Santo greater on mangrove forests and Tomás Bay). beaches than on coastal lagoons. However, the channeling of rivers ¨ Industrial waste discharge: Low. and streams affects the hydrological The discharges of agro-industrial system. companies pollute the lagoons. There are African palm plantations ¨ Inappropriate fishing practices: on the edge of , and an Medium. The practices that African palm oil processing plant contribute to habitat perturbation will be built in Punta Chapín River. and conversion include the use of gill De Los Micos Lagoon receives nets with very fine mesh, the use of wastes from a butter factory. In dragnets, fishing of species during Valle de Sula and Choloma there their spawning season, and anchovy are factories and clothes assembly fishing from Río Dulce to San Felipe shops. and in Amatique Bay (“mosquito netting” captures juveniles of ¨ Maritime transportation: Low. The commercial species). Also, the port operations contribute to incidental capture of hawksbill sea nutrient overload, sedimentation, turtles in shrimp boat nets has been and contamination by toxic reported in Tela Bay. substances, because they have pipelines for petroleum, ¨ Urban development and access agrochemicals, and other toxic roads: High. Even though roads products. Fuels are stored in Puerto bring development to the zone, they de Santo Tomás, Puerto Cortés, and have great sedimentation impacts. Tela. Also, sailboats in Río Dulce For example, the south Belize road discharge their wastewater and and the road from Puerto Cortés, garbage into the sea.

Table 5. Hierarchical values for viability, stresses, and sources of stress for estuaries and coastal lagoons Viability Value Stresses Value Sources of stress Value Inappropriate agricultural and animal Size Very good Habitat perturbation Medium High farming practices Condition Good Sedimentation High Tourism development Medium Landscape Good Nutrient overload Medium Inappropriate fishing practices Medium context Hydrologic alteration Medium Urban development and access roads High Habitat conversion Low Contamination by solid wastes Medium Industrial waste discharge Low Maritime transportation Low Global Good Global Value High Global Value High Value

30 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras

2.6 Herbaceous Wetlands, Flood forests, and their supporting Aquatic Systems

As the “Conservation Elements” map shows (see the Annexes), there are herbaceous wetlands and / or flood forests in Punta de Manabique, Puerto Cortés, the western part of Santo Tomás Bay (San Carlos), and on the eastern part of Punta Izopo. In Guatemala, Yañez- Arancibia et al. (1999) estimate that herbaceous wetlands and flood forests cover approximately 9,261 Ha of the Polochic River Natural Wildlife Refuge Caribbean coast of Guatemala, both Photo: FUNDARY being covered by water for the greater part of each year. The endangered species associated with the herbaceous ¨ Landscape context: Fair. Many wetlands include yellow-headed parrot wetlands connected to the tropical (Amazona oratrix); American crocodile forests in Izabal, Guatemala, and (Crocodylus acutus); iguana (Iguana the north coast of Honduras, but iguana); freshwater turtles; ducks many of these forests have been (Dendrocygna automnalis, Anas discor); converted to agricultural areas. jaguar (Panthera onca); capuchin, howler, and spider monkeys (Cebus Stresses (Global Value: high) capucinus, Allouatta pigra and Ateles geoffroyi); tapir (Tapirus bardii); peccary ¨ Habitat conversion: High. High (Tayassu tajacu); and great curassow severity, high extent. The (Crax rubra). The commercial species herbaceous wetlands and flood include snook (Centropomus forests are highly stressed by habitat undecimalis) and tarpon (Megelops conversion, since most of them are atlantica). not protected. Healthy examples are found only in patches with little Viability (Global Value: good) agricultural and cattle-raising interest, since their soils are not fit ¨ Size: Good. The herbaceous for these activities. wetlands and flood forests have greater extensions than the ¨ Habitat fragmentation: High. High mangrove forests. In Belize they are severity, high extent. Much of the very good, in Guatemala good, and low tropical forest that used to be in Honduras fair. behind the wetlands, between 25 and 500 m above sea level, has ¨ Condition: Good. The flooded been destroyed. There is also wood condition of wetlands makes access extraction in the flood forests, for difficult, helping to conserve them. firewood, charcoal, and However, in Honduras the wetlands construction, for example in are highly deteriorated; their Manabique and Sarstún. condition is fair. In Guatemala, there is wood extraction for charcoal, and ¨ Hydrologic alteration: Medium. roads have altered the secondary High severity, medium extent. forest.

31 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras

Hydrologic alteration affects forests into grasslands and wetlands, because the amount of agricultural areas. In Río Chiquito freshwater and its distribution over and Cuyamel (Honduras), rice time have changed in some plantations have fragmented the watersheds. The severity is high and wetlands. In the watershed of Río the extent is medium because it is Ulúa, the Chamelecón bar, and relatively localized. In Deep River, Canal Martínez there are African the strong rains brought by Hurricane palm plantations where wetlands Mitch (October 1998) changed the used to be. In Placencia, wetlands salinity, killing much of the vegetation have been converted to shrimp in the wetlands. Other affected farms. Peasants have planted areas include the watersheds of Río crops in the wetlands of Sarstún, Frío and San Idelfonso, Canal Sarstoon-Temash, Manabique, and Martínez, and Río Ulúa (Honduras); Río Ulúa. Estero Lagarto (Guatemala); and Monkey River (Belize). ¨ Channeling rivers and streams: Medium. In Punta de Manabique, ¨ Altered composition and structure: cattle raisers and farmers have High. High severity, high extent. dried wetlands to convert them to Excessive fishing and hunting alters cattle raising and agricultural areas. the structure of species populations, including yellow-headed parrot, ¨ Contamination by solid wastes: American crocodile, iguana, great Low. There are solid wastes in the curassow, snook, and tarpon. rivers Motagua, Chamelecón, Ulúa, and Dulce. Sources of stress (Global Value: high) ¨ Timber and firewood extraction: ¨ Urban development and access Medium. For example, cahue is cut roads: High. The unplanned in Manabique and Santa María in expansion of cities and rural Sarstún. In the Canal Martínez communities and the construction of forests, the following wood types access roads fragment the wetlands. are exploited: , San For example, in Honduras, human Juan, laurel, and cedar. settlements in the zone of De Alvarado Lagoon and El Faro have ¨ Wildlife poaching: Medium. modified the wetlands close to Includes poaching great curassow, Cortés. In Manabique, the threat of a deer, and peccary in Quetzalito future road exists. and Cabo Tres Puntas (Manabique), hunting iguanas and poaching in ¨ Inappropriate agricultural and animal the wetlands of Chocón-Machacas farming practices: High. Principally and Sarstoon-Temash. includes the conversion of herbaceous wetlands and flood ¨ Industrial waste discharge: Medium.

Table 6. Hierarchical values for viability, stresses, and sources of stress for herbaceous wetlands Viability Value Stresses Value Sources of stress Value Urban development and access Size Good Habitat conversion High High roads Inappropriate agricultural and animal Condition Good Habitat fragmentation High High farming practices Landscape Fair Hydrologic alteration Medium Channeling rivers and streams Medium context Altered composition and High Contamination by solid wastes Low structure Timber and firewood extraction Medium Wildlife poaching Medium Industrial waste discharge Medium Global Value Good Global Value High Global Value High

32 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras

III. CONSERVATION STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS VALUE VALUE GLOBAL STRATEGY Herba- ceous wetlands Estuaries Estuaries and Coastal Lagoons Beach Beach Systems Marine Marine Grass- lands Mangrove Forests VALUE VALUE THEOF STRATEGY EACH FOR SYSTEM Coral Coral Reefs High High Very High Very High Medium Medium High High Very High High High High Medium High High Very Medium High High High Medium Low Medium High High Low High Medium Very High Very High Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium High High Medium Medium High High High High High Medium Medium High High Medium Medium High High High High High Medium Medium Medium High Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium STRATEGIES STRATEGIES Complete the Gulf of Honduras protected areas system, system, areas protected Honduras of Gulf the Complete and improve the management and protection of the areas Develop implementand Land Use Regulation Plans and Sector Plans Make execute and protection forplansendangered, and economically important,species sustainable and fisheries of regulation the Support fishing Implement education,sensitizing, awareness-raising, divulgationand programs theabout environmental problems and their solutions with inhabitants,resource users, andgovernments Create mechanisms for the financial sustainability of of sustainability financial the for mechanisms Create protected area management Revise, develop, participativeenforce, and a use in manner, sustainable the regulate to mechanisms and norms resources natural of Promotealternate economic activitieslocal the in communities Implement institutional strengthening programs, and coordinationcitizen participation and mechanisms,for protectionthe systems natural of OBJECTIVES 1. Develop1. a tri-national coastal-marine protectedareassystem, all areas having financial long-term plans, management plans, and adequateresources Promote2. the development of a legislative,regulatory, institutional and framework compatible among the three countries Consolidate3. economic activities that are compatible with the conservation by roles of leading nature, and participation high with inhabitants local Develop4. a communicationssystem, periodic meetings, publications, capacity building, andinter-institutional exchanges and coordination Following is each strategy, with its action plan and a list of the threats it mitigates Following Strategies to diminish threats and increase the viability of conservation elements were defined during workshops. For each conservation element, strategies were prioritized according to their potential mitigate the threats. Using the Excel spreadsheet for Site Conservation Planning, an analysis was made of capability each strategy to reduce the stress on each conservation element. The following table presents strategies that would be most effective in reducing the threats Gulf faces. The strategy to complete the tri-national protected areas system in Gulf. This strategy would provide a very high benefit to mangrove forests and marine grasslands, a high benefit for coral reefs herbaceous wetlands, medium benefit for estuaries and coastal lagoons.

33 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Period 3 years years 3 years 3 Began first first Began of semester 2004 Continuously Continuously Continuously Every 6 in months, years 5 all Began first first Began of semester 2004 first Began of semester 2004 first Began of semester 2004 Cost $ 50,000/ year $100,000 / year $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 50,000 2 years $ 50,000/ year $ 50,000/ year $ 10,000/ year $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $100,000 2 years years 2 $100,000 Beneficiaries Beneficiaries Tourists, Tourists, PA system PA system Communities, Communities, tourists Communities, Communities, tourists, PA system PA system administrators committees, PDOs, cooperatives, groups fishermen PA system Communities, Communities, tourists Communities, tourists Communities, tourists Committees, Committees, cooperatives, govt.s municipal

Collaborators Collaborators Entities responsible Local PDOs, local projects projects local PDOs, Local projects local PDOs, Local CCO, TRIGOH,COHDEFOR, Ministry of congressmen Interior, the Local PDOs, MBC, TRIGOH, MBRS MBRS TRIGOH, MBC, PDOs, Local TRIGOH,PROARCA/APM MBC, MBRS, society, civil projects, local PDOs, Local UN, MINUGUA, UNDP Protected Areas Commission ofTRIGOH FUNDARY, TRIGOH, MARN, CONAP, Congress, of Commission Environment congressmen Interior, the of Ministry FUNDAECO, TRIGOH,CONAP, MARN, Congress, of Commission Environment congressmen Interior, the of Ministry FUNDAECO, TRIGOH,CONAP, MARN, Congress, of Commission Environment congressmen Interior, the of Ministry Local PDOs, MBC, municipal municipal MBC, PDOs, Local enterprise private governments, Relations, CONAP, COHDEFOR COHDEFOR, Belizean authorities COHDEFOR, Belizean authorities Congress of the Republic of Guatemala of Republic the of Congress Guatemala of Republic the of Congress Guatemala of Republic the of Congress Honduras of Republic the of Congress managers PA managers PA managers PA Ministry of Environment Foreign and Environment of Ministries CONAP, Environment, of Ministries CONAP, Environment, of Ministries area area Guatemala Guatemala Guatemala Guatemala Honduras The whole Gulf The whole Gulf The whole Gulf The whole Gulf Belize, Guatemala, Honduras The whole Gulf The whole Gulf Geographical Geographical $ 1,170,000 Total cost: Urban development and access roads, tourism development, wildlife poaching, inappropriate fishing Actions and the lethal yellowing of coconut palms palms coconut of yellowing lethal the and Promote the declaration of Punta de Manabique Manabique de of Punta declaration the Promote Gulf the in area protected new a as new a as Caral Sierra of declaration the Promote Gulf the in area protected a new as Sarstún of Río declaration the Promote Gulf the in area protected a as Baracoa Omoa of declaration the Promote new protected area inthe Gulf of of the effectiveness monitoring annual Conduct managementPA WB, with PROARCA, MBRS, tools TNC and to councils) (advisory mechanisms Strengthen management PA in members community involve PA among forum exchange an Formalize zones in border managers PAs, the between corridors for model a Design includingmarine elements within the MBC agenda co-management cross-border Establish Sarstoon- and Sarstún between agreements and Manabique de Punta between and Temash, Omoa-Baracoa Promote thecreation or enlargement of private areas protected particularly problems, species invader to Attend Hydrilla

Objective 1. Strategy # 1: Complete the protected areas system, and improve area management protection Threats mitigated: practices, development of industrial infrastructure, timber and firewood extraction, channeling rivers streams, petroleum exploration and exploitation.

34 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Period Cost $ 50,000 2 years $ 80,000 2 years $ 40,000 3 years $ 100,000 $ 100,000 2 years Beneficiaries Beneficiaries PA system, PA system, landowners, community, municipal governments, private sector PA system PA system 80,000 $ 2 years PA system, PA system, community members, users PA system, PA system, community members, users PA system PA system

Collaborators Collaborators

Entities responsible PDOs managing PAs, universities, private private universities, managing PAs, PDOs and Economy of Ministries sector, Finance Local projects projects Local Local projects projects Local Local projects, PDOs PDOs projects, Local PDOs managing PAs managing PAs PDOs PDOs, Congresses PDOs, Government units, PDOs, Congresses PDOs, units, Government units, Government TRIGOH, CCAD, units Government Congresses, CCAD, Universities Government units, PDOs area Geographical Geographical Each country Each country Each country Each country The whole Gulf The whole Gulf : $ 350,000 Total cost . Actions Actions Establish systems to charge entry fees to to fees entry charge to systems Establish cruise for especially country, each PAs in ships will fees PA that so governments in Lobby the inbe re-invested of PAs management where the fees were charged and technical and create Analyze for incentives (payment economic environmental services) to promote conservation of value economic the on studies Conduct ecosystems the plan for financial Implement a long-term system PA Gulf the

Strategy # 2: Create mechanisms for the financial sustainability of protected area management Threats mitigated: All

35 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Period 2 years 2 years Cost $ 100,000 2 years $ 200,000 3 years $ 30,000/ $ 30,000/ year ? years 5 3 to $ 100,000 2 years Beneficiaries Municipal governments Communities, municipal governments Communities, municipal governments Maritime transportation companies, port customs, company Communities, municipal governments

Collaborators Collaborators Entities responsible Entities

Local authorities, territorial management management territorial Local authorities, institutions Fishing institutions, community, local local community, institutions, Fishing authorities, management territorial institutions TRIGOH, MBC TRIGOH, TRIGOH TRIGOH TRIGOH Local PDOs, with support from TRIGOH Governments, territorial management management territorial Governments, institutions, municipal governments, private businesses ENP Puerto Barrios, EMPORNAC EMPORNAC Barrios, Puerto ENP management territorial Governments, institutions, municipal governments, private businesses area Geographical Geographical Toledo, Izabal, Izabal, Toledo, Cortés, (4 Atlántida of departments Gulf) the Tomás, Santo Barrios, Puerto Cortés Puerto Izabal, Toledo, Cortés, (4 Atlántida of departments Gulf) the Izabal, Toledo, Cortés, (4 Atlántida of departments Gulf) the Izabal, Toledo, Cortés, (4 Atlántida of departments Gulf) the Urban development and access roads, inappropriate agricultural animal farming practices, tourism Actions : $460,000 Develop 3 Land Use Regulation Plans, for Plans, Regulation Use Land 3 Develop Atlántida and Cortés and Izabal, Toledo, Incorporate environmental elementsinto audits, (diagnosis, plans port development impact assessments) and environmental plans into contingency and land in units planning municipal Support courses regulation use and land tenure share and Systematize GIS of a means by information use land that of organizations Obtain participation sharing in areas protected manage development coastal for opinions

Objective 2 Strategy # 3: Develop and implement Land Use Regulation Plans Sector Threats mitigated: development, development of industrial infrastructure, channeling rivers and streams, petroleum exploration exploitation. Total cost

36 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Period 5 years 2 years 1 year, 1 year, continuously 2 years, continuously Continuously Continuously : $ 540,000 Cost $ 5,000/ $ 5,000/ year $ 5,000/ $ 5,000/ year $ 3,000/ $ 3,000/ year $ 20,000/ year $ 50,000/ $ 50,000/ year $ 20,000/ year $ 50,000 2 years Total cost Beneficiaries Beneficiaries Decision makers, makers, Decision hunters Customs, police Decision makers, makers, Decision administrators makers, Decision administrators Decision makers, makers, Decision users makers, Decision users makers, Decision users Users $ 50,000 Continuously

Collaborators Collaborators

Entities responsible Entities PDOs, universities, volunteers TRIGOH, UNIPESCA, CONAP, CONAP, TRIGOH, UNIPESCA, co- areas, for protected responsible GOs co- areas, for protected responsible GOs COHDEFOR CONAP, Government units, PDOs Government units, PDOs Government units, PDOs Government units, PDOs DIGEPESCA, COHDEFOR, Belizean Belizean COHDEFOR, DIGEPESCA, authorities PDOs manager PDOs manager Co-manager PDOs, universities universities PDOs, Co-manager TRIGOH, organizations with technical technical with organizations TRIGOH, MBC PDOs, universities, capabilities, technical with organizations TRIGOH, MBRS, PDOs, universities, capabilities, MBC MBRS, MBC, hunters, forest users, users, forest hunters, MBC, MBRS, universities TRIGOH, universities TRIGOH, MBRS, users, forest hunters, MBC, universities TRIGOH, users, forest hunters, MBC, MBRS, universities TRIGOH, area Geographical Geographical Coastal areas, Coastal areas, including wetlands of Gulf Honduras (continental and insular mangrove areas) forest The whole Gulf The whole Gulf, particularly border zones Belize, Guatemala, Honduras Belize, Guatemala, Honduras Belize, Guatemala, Honduras Belize, Guatemala, Honduras Wildlife poaching, inappropriate fishing practices, timber and firewood extraction. Actions Identify the most important areas for West West for areas important most the Identify , iguanas, Indies parrots, and conservation develop turtles, and sea plans long-term monitoring and with monitoring program forest Mangrove sensors remote forest a and hunting on research Conduct long-term propose and inventory, monitoring police and customs for courses Teach control and laws, national CITES, about species endangered of management and Create 3 nationalinter-governmental to species, endangered on forums especially enforcement, law improve commercialization regarding species endangered a tri-national Make database strategies, protection tri-national Establish monitoring, and education, including surveillance control and and divulgation tri-national a Conduct (radio campaign awareness-raising spots, school materials, posters)

Strategy # 4: Make and execute protection plans for endangered, economically important, species Threats mitigated:

37 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Period 2 years, continuously 2 years, continuously Continuously Continuously 2 years Cost $ 100,000/ year $ 50,000/ year $ 50,000/ year $ 50,000 $ 50,000 3 years $ 50,000 2 years Year 1Year $ 50,000, 2Year $ 40,000 $ 110,000 3 years Beneficiaries Decision makers, makers, Decision users Decision makers, makers, Decision users makers, Decision users Fishermen, consumers Legislators $ 50,000 Legislators $ makers, Decision fishermen Decision makers, makers, Decision fishermen Fishermen, businesspeople, consumers, municipal governments, authorities

Collaborators

Entities responsible $ 1,050,000 Government units, PDOs Government units, PDOs UNIPESCA Government units, PDOswith technical TRIGOH MBRS, authorities, Fishing TRIGOH, MBRS, authorities, Fishing Fishing Commission of TRIGOH Fishing Commission of TRIGOH, capability congresses Directorates Fishing MBRS, MBC, fishermen,TRIGOH, universities,fishingon forum MBRS, MBC, fishermen,TRIGOH, universities MBRS, MBC, fishermen,TRIGOH, universities Fishermenassociations, Ministries of communities Environment, Fishermen, CEMA, TRIGOH TRIGOH Fishermen, CEMA, Universities, fishermen Universities, fishermen, volunteers Fishing entities, IDEADS, congresses, localgovernment, Chambers of Commerce Total cost: area area Geographical Belize, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras Gulf of Honduras Guatemalan Gulf coast the on areas,Reef marine grasslands, deep bottoms banks Spawning Gulf the in banks Spawning Gulf the in Belize, and Guatemala, Honduras in Nationally, each of the 3 countries Actions Inappropriate fishing practices. Create 3 national inter-governmental forums on on forums inter-governmental national 3 Create periodically meet shall which fishing, on forum inter-governmental tri-national 1 Create fishing, participation the with usersof authorities and from the three countries, which shall meetfor periodically coordinationin legislation andlaw enforcement “black” “fair” anchovies, to Conducton and studies understandtheir life cycles andmigrations, tolong-termpropose implement seasons no-take and monitoring Conduct studies of conch and lobster,to improve their long-termmonitoring propose management and monitoringIdentify of spawning conduct and and snapper aggregationssuch as species, by grouper, in reef bottoms Promotethe management ofkey countries 3 spawning the in sitesfor species marine Revise the fishing lawsand regulations ofGuatemala, establish fines and update to andBelize, Honduras, fisheries of co-management the for mechanisms lawsEstablish that regional harmonize to agreements protect economically important species (sardines, shrimp,conch) lobster,

Strategy # 5: Support the regulation of fisheries and sustainable fishing Threats mitigated:

38 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Period Cost $ 20,000 $ 20,000 years 2 $10,000 1 year year 1 $10,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 months 6 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 years 2 $ 20,000 year 1 $ 10,000 years 2 $ 50,000 year 1 $ 60,000 years 2 $ 80,000 years 2 Beneficiaries Beneficiaries Tourism, fishing, fishing, Tourism, and private sectors; (industry) ports Tourism, fishing, fishing, Tourism, and private sectors; (industry) ports Agrochemical Agrochemical distributors, farmers Tourism, fishing, fishing, Tourism, and private sectors; (industry) ports Investors, communities estate real Private businesses, population Investors, communities Landowners, communities, municipal governments, sector private Landowners, communities, municipal governments, sector private

: $300,000 Collaborators Entity responsible Entity

Total cost Ministries of Foreign Relations Relations Foreign of Ministries Merchant Marine, port companies (ENP), (ENP), companies port Marine, Merchant Ministries Foreign of Relations, national congresses Ministries Agriculture of and Health SERNA, MARN, Belizean authorities authorities Belizean MARN, SERNA, governments Municipal Ministries of Environment,municipal Health of Ministries governments, FOPECO, INGUAT, governments, Municipal INTECAP,(Belize),BTB UVG, IHT (Honduras) municipal associations, Municipality governments,congresses, Ministries of Environment municipal associations, Municipality governments,congresses, Ministries of Environment Committee SERNA, municipal governments, Port Safety Safety Port governments, municipal SERNA, PDOs local TRIGOH, PDOs local MARN, SERNA, TRIGOH, MARN SERNA, TRIGOH, PDOs local TRIGOH, PDOs local TRIGOH, PDOs local TRIGOH, PDOs local TRIGOH, PDOs local TRIGOH, area Nationally, in in Nationally, eachof the 3 countries in Nationally, eachof the 3 countries in Nationally, eachof the 3 countries in Nationally, eachof the 3 countries in Nationally, eachof the 3 countries of Gulf Honduras of Gulf Honduras of Gulf Honduras of Gulf Honduras Geographical Urban development and access roads, inappropriate agricultural animal farming practices, tourism Actions ) on the management of wastes wastes of management the on ) transported by ships ships by transported Support the ratification and enforcement of of enforcement and ratification the Support SOLAS, (MARPOL, treaties international etc. Promote environmental security with contingencyplans, for port operations and maritime recreational and commercial transportation be will Honduras of Gulf the that so Lobby Maritime Sensitive “Particularly a declared IMO by Zone” / prohibited of list the update and Revise and country, each in agrochemicals allowed enforce and verify to mechanisms establish norms these of application and regulation the Promote to related laws environmental existing infrastructure Make the existing norms on waste disposal known widely be water of bodies into and regulations, use enforce and Develop standards infrastructure tourism sustainable easements conservation as such tools Use to promote conservationin private lands associations municipality Strengthen of management and conservation regarding lands private

Strategy # 6: Revise, develop, and enforce, in a participative manner, norms mechanisms to regulate the sustainable use of natural resources Threats mitigated: development, pollution by wastewater and solid wastes, maritime transportation, development of industrial infrastructure, industrial waste discharge, channeling rivers and streams.

39 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Period 5 years 3 to 4 4 to 3 years, continuous process 6 months 2 courses 2 courses year per Cost $ 30,000 / $ 30,000 year $ 50,000 $ 50,000 years 2 to 3 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 years 2 to 3 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 1 year $ 40,000 / $ 40,000 year $ 15,000 / $ 15,000 country $ 25,000 $ 25,000 months 6 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 years 2 to 3 $ 150,000 3 years ? 2 years ? ? 2 years 1 to 3 $ 20,000 / $ 20,000 country Beneficiaries Beneficiaries Tour operators, consumers Fishermen, Fishermen, peasants Informed Informed consumers, fishermen Fishermen, Fishermen, peasants Tourism companies Communities, fishermen Producers, guilds, consumers Fishermen, Fishermen, peasants Fishermen, peasants Producers, guilds, consumers Producers, guilds, consumers Local fishermen Fishermen $ 25,000 6 months 6 25,000 Fishermen $

: $ 815,000

Collaborators Collaborators

Total cost Entities responsible

Chambers of Commerce, PDOs, PDOs, Commerce, of Chambers media communications Guilds, exporter associations associations Guilds, exporter Fishermen groups PDOs PDOs TRIGOH of Commission Tourism PDOs, and hotel groups, fishermen and Farmer certifiers Producers, PDOs, certifiers Producers, PDOs, Businesses complying with the program, managers, PDOs Protected area TRIGOH, managers protected area TRIGOH GOs, associated PDOs managers, PDOs, Protected area managers, PDOs Protected area Tourism GOs, PDOs restaurant owners, PDOs, certifiers PDOs, owners, restaurant TRIGOH of Committee Ecotourism Government Tourism GOs, PDOs Local fishermen fishermen Local Guilds, exporter associations associations Guilds, exporter GOs,municipal governments, PDOs Universities, local projects Government, guilds, exporter associations Government, guilds, exporter associations TRIGOH Fishermen associations Fishermen associations area Geographical Geographical Gulf of of Gulf Honduras of Gulf Honduras of Gulf Honduras Watersheds the to next coast Watersheds the to next coast Watersheds the to next coast Coastal zone riverbanks and Sites associated to PAs Sites associated to PAs Izabal, Belize, Honduras Sites associated to PAs Sites associated to PAs Izabal, Belize, Honduras ) etc. Inappropriate agricultural and animal farming practices, tourism development, wildlife poaching, Actions Conduct studies on species, seasons, and and seasons, species, on studies Conduct fishing to sport important that are places tourism and fishing sport on courses Conduct service Equip boats ofinterested fishermen for sport fishing tourism and fishing, agricultural, Identify meet that Honduras of Gulf the in products conditions certification non- and (wood forest of certification Achieve products fishing and wood) markets product in certified measures Verify Certify tourism activities nature as peasants and fishermen Train guides community the tri-national Develop ecotourism route and for products market regional a Develop with conservation compatible services of the processing in Train communities fish,smoked fresh fish fish, sausages, dry fish salted to producers, among exchanges Conduct replicate successful experiences Implement the breeding of synergetic species (fish, lobster, conch, shrimp, paca,

Objective 3 Strategy # 7: Promote alternate economic activities in the local communities Threats mitigated: inappropriate fishing practices, timber and firewood extraction.

40 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Period First to First to years third 5 years 5 years Cost $ 50,000 $ 50,000 1 year $ 50,000/ $ 50,000/ year $ 100,000 $ 100,000 5 years $ 150,000 $ 150,000 5 years / $ 30,000 year $ 50,000 year First Beneficiaries Beneficiaries Civilian and military military and Civilian authorities, groups, organized local sector, private communities, communications media Local communities communities Local hotels, (restaurants, taxi drivers, boat university captains), centers, extension schools local Private sector, local local sector, Private communities Extensionists, Extensionists, assistant technicians, producers, community leaders, rangers Elementary School students Municipal governments, agro- industrial businesspeople, hotel owners, traders, port activities

Collaborators Collaborators

Entities responsible Entities

Local (municipal) governments, Ministries of communications other and press Education, organizations, based community media, and development private local universities, organizations conservation Tri-National Ecotourism Commission, Commission, Ecotourism Tri-National tour INTECAP, UVG, INGUAT, FOPECO, IHT (Belize), BTB Maya, Mundo operators, (Honduras) TRIGOH TRIGOH PDOs local TRIGOH, municipal TRIGOH, PDOs, Local TRIGOH, local PDOs PDOs local TRIGOH, PDOs local TRIGOH, governments Ministries of Environment, Department ofthe Environment (Belize), SERNA, COHDEFOR Regional projects, local organizations, GOs, GOs, organizations, local projects, Regional agencies cooperation international (Honduras), PROECO Education, of Ministries CONAP, teachers, local (Belize), MoES MBRS (Belize), Authority Management Waste Solid community PDOs, governments, municipal of Ministries ports, committees, water trusts, Environment, Port Safety Committee, environmental educators of each PDO, media communications area Gulf of of Gulf Honduras of Gulf Honduras of Gulf Honduras of Gulf Honduras of Gulf Honduras of Gulf Honduras Geographical Geographical : $ 650,000 Total cost . Actions Establish a public information and awareness- and information a public Establish raising programtargeting users, authorities, the supporting public, general the and society civil by established initiatives and to train a Establish government program extensionists PDO Fomentawareness in affected parties, by to demand and training, informing licenses exploitation and impact environmental for aiming tourism, local of a culture Foment means by eco-development, and conservation radio and and tours, exchange of workshops, programs television the into development sustainable Incorporate institutions) (educational formal education curriculum on plan education environmental an Develop contaminationin theGulf of Honduras (industrial and solid wastes, wastewater, visual including sedimentation), contamination, municipal the for landfills sanitary in training for latrinization and and coastal governments, communities riverine trategy # 8: Implement education, sensitizing, awareness-raising, and divulgation programs about the

Objective 4 S environmental problems and their solutions with inhabitants, resource users, governments Threats mitigated: All

41 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Period Cost $ 100,000 $ 100,000 years 2 $ 110,000 years 5 $ 155,000 years 5 Beneficiaries Local PDOs, GOs, GOs, PDOs, Local authorities, users, directors of natural managing resource organizations, groups organized Municipal governments, councils, village COCODES (Guatemala) (sports, Fishermen industrial,non- and industrial), resource users, COCODES (Guatemala) : $ 365,000

Total cost

Collaborators Entities responsible TRIGOH, local PDOs Human rights organizations, projects, workers social Health, of Ministries universitiesPROARCA,MBRS, MBC, fishermen authorities, Fishing associations,resourceother COCODES, user associations TRIGOH, local PDOs TRIGOH, local PDOs area Geographical Gulf of of Gulf Honduras Gulf of of Gulf Honduras of Gulf Honduras inappropriate agricultural and animal farming practices, wildlife poaching, fishing

Actions Make known the results of the national national the of results the known Make participation, social / public on initiatives (for adaptations regional to make example, advisory councils Guatemala)in Strengthen the capacity ofmunicipal governments for environmental management, by creating an association area the in involved municipalities the of of action in the Gulf of Honduras, by the to visits by and informing, by training, an as Cortés of Government Municipal example forthe region user resource and fishermen Create organizations, accompanied by: designs, project management, in Training organization accounting, local the for registration legal Obtaining organizations and exchanges, tri-national and National tours educational

Strategy # 9: Implement institutional strengthening programs, and coordination citizen participation mechanisms, for the protection of natural systems Threats mitigated: pollution by wastewater and solid wastes, timber firewood extraction.

42 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras

IV. MEASURES OF SUCCESS

The Nature Conservancy has defined A monitoring and evaluation system success in conservation as substantial (MES) is necessary to learn the impact progress towards (1) the durable of the proposed strategies such as mitigation of critical threats, and (2) the planning instruments and policies, to sustained maintenance or improvement evaluate the current situation in a of the viability of the conservation targets given socio-economic context, to in the sites identified for taking discover trends, to prevent irreversible conservation actions. However, there damage, and, in general, to improve frequently exists a delay between the the different types of management. implementation of strategies and the The objectives, structure, fields, and mitigation of critical threats and persistent themes of the SCP are detailed in stresses, and an even longer delay Volume II of the Site Conservation Plan between the implementation of for the Gulf of Honduras (FUNDARY, strategies and the evidence of change in 2004), which describes the measures of biodiversity health. Therefore it is success and their monitoring in greater necessary to also develop short-term detail. indicators to reflect the capability to implement the effective strategies Following are health measurements for proposed in the Site Conservation Plan the site’s biodiversity, with the purpose (TNC, 2000). of evaluating the effectiveness of the conservation strategies to improve or Currently, the viability of all the maintain the viability of the conservation elements in the Gulf is conservation elements, using for a considered good, but the threat to focal baseline the viability evaluation (size, objects and the site as a whole is very condition, and landscape context) for high. each of the six conservation elements.

Coral Reefs Indicator Attribute to be Methods Time and Location Personnel measured frequency Size and Live coral cover, Aronson’s Once a year Required in the outer and 5 person team for condition diversity, health, video inner faces of the barrier, 11 field days: 7 algae cover, etc. method and in the patches or inner days in Belize, 2 in islets in Belize; in the Guatemala, and 2 in Jeanette Kawas area, Honduras Honduras; and off Punta de Manabique in Guatemala Condition Diversity index Direct Once a year The same sites of the 2 person team for for fish sampling of previous study 11 field days: 7 populations fish, by days in Belize, 2 in transects Guatemala, and 2 in Honduras Condition Reference of Sampling of Two samplings Punta Gorda and Placencia Personnel from the seasonal fish in ports monthly in Belize; Puerto Barrios and fisheries changes in the or storage Livingston in Guatemala; departments structure, and in sites Omoa, Cortés, and El Triunfo the quality of the in Honduras catch

43 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras

Mangrove Forests Indicator Attribute to be Methods Time and Location Personnel measured frequency Size Area covered Remote Once a year Gulf of Honduras 1 GIS analyst sensors (GIS) Condition Changes in the Samplings One monthly Channels in each country Biology student, diversity indices with Ekmann sampling for the where the mangrove forest is Biology of benthoids dredges, first two years; widest Departments of laboratory once the local universities analysis mangrove forest has been characterized, twice a year Condition Habitat diversity Bird, reptile, Once a year For reptiles, sampling by 2 persons for a and and availability and mammal diurnal and nocturnal week, every 3 landscape counts transects in the main months context channels of the mangrove forests in the three countries. For birds, diurnal samplings (dawn and dusk) in transects in the three countries. Condition Productivity Production, Monthly for two Sarstún, La Graciosa Bay, 3 persons for one accumulation years to Amatique, Port Honduras, day, for each of duff characterize, Jeannette Kawas National protected area in then twice a Park, Punta Izopo the Gulf year (during rainy and dry season)

Marine Grasslands

Indicator Attribute to be Methods Time and Location Personnel measured frequency West Indies Number of Overflights Once a year, in The whole Gulf TRIGOH, CZMA/I manatee individuals March or April population (adults + juveniles) West Indies Number of Counts from Thrice a year In the priority habitats of the TRIGOH manatee individuals a boat, Gulf (Port Honduras, population (adults + community Sarstún, Lake Izabal, La juveniles) member Graciosa Bay, Punta Sal, surveys and Punta Izopo) Marine grass Density Parcels and Twice a year (in Coast of Toledo, La TRIGOH + CZMA/I abundance (number / m2) sub-aquatic the dry and rainy Graciosa, Punta Sal + CEMA photography seasons) Condition: Turbidity, Secchi disk, Thrice a year River mouths and lagoon 15 man days / year sedimentation depth rod outlets

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Beach Systems Indicator Attribute to be Methods Time and Location Personnel measured frequency Cover and Natural and Remote Dry season, The whole Gulf 1 GIS analyst current use perturbed Ha sensor every 2 years (Spot) Biodiversity Biodiversity Sampling Dry season, Sampling sites in the whole TRIGOH + in the area index every 2 years Gulf Universities

Estuaries and Coastal Lagoons Indicator Attribute to be Methods Time and Location Personnel measured frequency Size: Water surface Satellite Twice a year, Coastal-marine zone PDOs, two persons area and hectares photographs, once each in per country number of remote the dry and water surfaces sensors rainy seasons Condition: Mercury, Chemical Once a year River mouths and lagoon Laboratory heavy metals cadmium, lead, determination outlets copper, and organochlorates Condition: Turbidity, depth Secchi disk, Thrice a year River mouths and lagoon 15 man days / year sedimentation rod outlets Condition: Number of Samplings Once a year / River mouths and lagoon presence of individuals one month of outlets species research Landscape: Number of Inventories, Once a year / Coastal-marine zone Tourism increase in marinas, rooms, samplings, one month of Commission of tourism and hotels surveys research TRIGOH infrastructure Landscape: Number, quality, Remote Once a year Rangers increase in and length (in sensors, roads and Km) of roads routes, trails urban infrastructure

Herbaceous Wetlands Indicator Attribute to be Methods Time and Location Personnel measured frequency Size: Hectares of Maps, aerial Once a year Coastal-marine zone GIS personnel of habitat forest and photographs, PDOs conversion wetland cover remote sensors Landscape: Number of Remote Once a year GIS personnel of urban growth roads, houses, sensors, PDOs, canals, and censuses, Statistics Institutes, inhabitants routes, Ministries of Health population and Education censuses Condition: Depths, canals, Rod, volumetric Twice a year, Selected forests of the Gulf Internship students, water flow seasonality of methods, once each in graduation research the water satellite the dry and students, surface, yearly images, rainy seasons universities, precipitation sampling points rangers at depth

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V. BIBLIOGRAPHY

AUIL, N. 1998. Sustainable development and management of biologically diverse coastal resources management project. Belize City, Belize. BROWN, M. 1998. Minicasos sobre asuntos clave de manejo y grupos de interesados relacionados con el Golfo de Honduras. PROARCA/Costas and PROARCA/CAPAS, Guatemala, Guatemala. CEDEX. 1999. Plan director para el saneamiento integral y la gestión de residuos sólidos de los apartamentos poblacionales del Parque Nacional “Río Dulce” y de la Amatique Bay, Informe final, Tomos I, II, III y IV, informe técnico para Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Secretaría de Estado de Cooperación Internacional y para Ibero América, Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional (AECI), convenio para realización de trabajos y actividades de cooperación técnica en materia de medio ambiente e infraestructuras, con los países de Centroamérica afectados por el Huracán Mitch. II informes de los Proyectos del convenio, Proyecto Guatemala 2 Centro de Estudios Hidrográficos, clave CEDEX 45-499-7- 001. Madrid, Spain. CENTRAL STATISTICAL OFFICE, MINISTRY OF FINANCE. 2000. Environmental Statistics For Belize 2000. Belmopan, Belize. CHACON & GERSON. 1998. Comercialización de la manjúa Anchoa iyolepsis y análisis de la Asociación de Pescadores. Punta de Manabique, Puerto Barrios, Izabal, Guatemala. COASTAL MANAGEMENT ZONE. 1999. Coastal Water Quality, Belize. Belize City, Belize. COMITÉ DE RESPUESTA A CRISIS DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE MARINO–COSTERO IZABAL, 1998. Plan de 1998. Contingencias contra derrames de hidrocarburos / químicos. Diálogos de políticas ambientales. Puerto Barrios Izabal, Guatemala. CONAMA. 1997. Anteproyecto “Reglamento especial para la navegación en el Parque Nacional Río Dulce”. Guatemala, Guatemala. CONAMA. 1998. Proyecto de reglamento de navegación de las aguas del Parque Nacional Río Dulce. Guatemala, Guatemala. DITEPESCA. Plan de Ordenamiento Pesquero. Guatemala. ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL TECHNICAL ASISTANCE PROJECT. 1999. Regional Development Plan For Southern Belize – Draft. Belize City, Belize. ESPINAL, M. 1994. Diagnóstico de los recursos costeros en la zona del Golfo de Honduras (Parte Hondureña). Honduras. FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES & TOLEDO INSTITUTE ON DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT. 1998. Port Honduras Marine Reserve (Draft Management Plan). Belize. FUNDARY. 2001. Evaluación Ecológica Rápida del Refugio de Vida Silvestre Punta de Manabique, Izabal, Guatemala, C. A. Guatemala. 240 p. + maps. GÁLVEZ J. J. 2001. Sistema de monitoreo y evaluación de la biodiversidad del proyecto MIRNA. Sección 2: Recomendaciones para el sistema de seguimiento y evaluación del proyecto MIRNA. MAGA / MARN / CONAP / INAB, Guatemala. 30 p. HEYMAN, W. D. 1996. Integrated coastal zone management and sustainable development for tropical estuarine ecosystems: A case study of Port Honduras, Belize. Belize. HEYMAN, W. & R. GRAHAM. 2000. La voz de los pescadores de la Costa Atlántica de Guatemala. HEYMAN, W. & T. HYAT. 1996. An analysis of commercial and sport fishing in the proposed Port Honduras Marine Reserve, Belize. Belize Centre for Environmental Studies, Belize. HEYMAN, W. & B. KJERFVE. 1999. Hydrological and oceanographic considerations for integrated coastal zone management in Southern Belize. ICSED. 2000. Desarrollo de herramientas económicas para la preparación de políticas sostenibles en el sector pesquero del Golfo de Honduras. Tomo I. PROARCA/CAPAS, Guatemala, Guatemala.

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ICSED. 2000. Desarrollo de herramientas económicas para la preparación de políticas sostenibles en el sector pesquero del Golfo de Honduras. Tomo II. PROARCA/CAPAS, Guatemala, Guatemala. JICA. 1993. Informe de la investigación sobre recursos pesqueros en la República de Honduras. Honduras. LANKFORD, R.R. 1977. Coastal lagoons of Mexico: Their origin and classification, p. 182-215. In: Wiley, M. (Ed.) Estuarine Processes. Academic Press, Inc., New York, 2: 428 pp. MONGE, L. 1998. Memoria del taller regional sobre manejo de pesquerías en el Sistema Arrecifal del Caribe Mesoamericano, organizado y financiado por PROARCA/Costas y PROARCA/CAPAS, con apoyo de la Alianza Trinacional de ONGs del Golfo de Honduras - TRIGOH. PROARCA/CAPAS, Guatemala. MUNICIPALIDAD DE LIVINGSTON. “Información general sobre Livinsgston y la comunidad Garífuna”. PELTIER, N. 1997. El transporte de productos peligrosos en el Golfo de Honduras: Evaluación del riesgo, políticas de prevención y plan de contingencia, Guatemala. PROARCA/APM. 2003. Perfil del sitio de trabajo: Golfo de Honduras, borrador. PROARCA/APM, Guatemala. 70 p. PROARCA/Costas. 2001. Perfil del sitio Golfo de Honduras (borrador). PROARCA/ Costas, Guatemala. PROARCA/Costas, PROARCA/CAPAS. 1999. Memoria del taller regional sobre conservación del manatí en el Golfo de Honduras, Guatemala. PROARCA/ CAPAS, Guatemala. PROGRAM FOR BELIZE, BID. 1995. National protected areas system plan for Belize. Synthesis report. Belize. PROLANSATE. 1999. La voz de los pescadores de Honduras, Honduras. PROLANSATE. 2000. Ayuda de memoria de la IX Reunión de la TRIGOH, Punta Gorda, Belice. PROMACO/ORCA. 1992. Memorias, Consulta Nacional en Guatemala. RODA. 1999. Marco legal e institucional para la protección de manatí en el Golfo de Honduras / Centroamérica. Informe comparado trinacional. RODRÍGUEZ, J. 1996. Muestreo biológico de pesca artesanal de la langosta común (Panulirus argus) en la Bahía de Omoa, Cortés, Honduras. RODRIGUEZ, J. 1998. Informe, V campaña de los monitoreos biológicos de pesca artesanal de la langosta común (Panulirus argus) en la Bahía de Omoa, Cortés, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. TNC. 2000. Esquema de las cinco S para la conservación de sitios: Un manual de planificación para la conservación de sitios y medición del éxito en conservación. 62 p. TOLEDO INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT (TIDE). 1998. Draft management plan for Paynes Creek National Park. Belize. TRIGOH, LA ALIANZA TRINACIONAL PARA LA CONSERVACION DEL GOLFO DE HONDURAS. 1998. Plan estratégico y operacional. TRIGOH, LA ALIANZA TRINACIONAL PARA LA CONSERVACION DEL GOLFO DE HONDURAS. 2003. Plan estratégico y operacional. URQUIZÚ, S. M. 1993. Reconocimiento arqueológico de la costa atlántica periférica al Área de Protección Especial Cerro San Gil, Departamento de Izabal, Guatemala. USAC, Guatemala. Yañez-Arancibia, A. D. 1999. The ecosystem framework for planning and management of the Atlantic Coast of Guatemala. In: Ocean and Coastal Management 42 (1999), pp. 283-317. Yañez-Arancibia, A. D., Zárate Lomelí, and A. Terán Cuevas. 1995. Evaluation of the coastal and marine resources of the Atlantic Coast of Guatemala. EPOMEX: CEP Technical Report No. 34. UNEP Caribbean Environment Programme, Kingston, Jamaica. 64 p. ZISMAN, S. 1996. (Compilation) The Directory of Belizean Protected Areas and Sites of Nature Conservation Interest, Second Edition. Belize.

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48 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras

VI. ANEXES

The Site Conservation Planning method

Maps Map 1. Base map of the Gulf of Honduras Map 2. Ecoregions Map 3. Life Zones, according to Holdridge Map 4. Conservation elements Map 5. Stresses Map 6. Sources of stress

49 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras

The Site Conservation Planning method

Site Conservation Planning (SCP) is a methodological framework developed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC, 2000) and its partners to analyze information about a site and plan activities focused on the conservation priorities of the site, including the protection or improvement of biodiversity health (viability) and the reduction and elimination of critical threats damaging a site. By identifying priorities, this method allows protected area planners and managers to achieve a better allocation of limited human and financial resources for the conservation of a site.

SCP is five-stage iterative method that results in two specific products:

Priority conservation strategies to mitigate and / or eliminate the critical stresses damaging the site (threat mitigation), to restore or improve biodiversity viability in the site (by means of restoration and management), and to strengthen the conservation capabilities in the site. A conservation monitoring system, to measure the impact of conservation actions in the site (measures of success) and to provide feedback for revising the conservation strategies when it becomes necessary.

The Site Conservation Planning methodological framework has five steps, summarized in the following figure:

Systems Stress Sources

Threat Restoration Mitigation

Measures Strategies of Success Situation and Actors Biodiversity Health Threat Status Conservation Capabilit y

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COMPONENT 1: threats from an ecologic perspective. SYSTEMS AND CONSERVATION ELEMENTS The following important points must be considered when identifying the Systems and Conservation elements: stresses acting on the systems and their associated conservation elements: The important species, ecologic communities, and ecologic systems –- ¨ Only the destruction or including the natural processes that degradation of systems and their maintain them— that justify the selection associated conservation elements of a site for conservation actions. resulting from human (non-natural) Once the key elements to ensure the causes must be considered as a long-term viability of each system have stress. been identified—including species, ¨ To be considered, the stress must be communities, and processes—, three happening at the present, or have characteristics of the systems must be a high probability of happening in analyzed: the near future. ¨ Stresses damaging each system ¨ Size: measurement of the area or must be identified. abundance of the occurrence of the ¨ It is important to be as precise as conservation element possible when identifying stresses; ¨ Condition: integrated measurement this will help identify sources of of the composition, structure, and the stress. biotic interactions that characterize the occurrence A hierarchical value (Very High, High, ¨ Landscape context: integrated Medium or Low) is assigned to the measurement of two factors: the stresses acting on each conservation dominant environmental regimes and element. Even though all the stresses processes that establish and maintain acting on the biodiversity are the occurrence of the conservation documented, it is critical to prioritize element, and connectiveness these stresses based on the severity and extent of each stress. The A category evaluation (Very Good, conservation strategies must reduce or Good, Fair, Poor) of the current state of eliminate those stresses that have a these three factors allows a high severity combined with an ample characterization of the viable extent. occurrences of the systems within the site.

COMPONENT 3: SOURCES OF STRESS COMPONENT 2: STRESSES

Stresses: Sources of stress:

The types of degradation and damage The actions, processes, or agents, of to the size, condition, and / or landscape human or natural origin, that generate context of a system or conservation or cause stress. Together, the sources element that result in the reduction of the of stress and the stresses they exert on viability and health of the system. The the systems constitute the threats to the analysis of stresses in this step and the ecosystems. analysis of the sources of stress in the next step are key to learn what the problems Most of the sources of stress are of the site are, and to focus the associated to the environmentally conservation strategies on the priority unsound use of soil, water, and natural

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resources by humans, which are taking ¨ Mitigate and / or eliminate the place or have taken place in the past, critical stresses that are damaging yet continue having an impact. Several the site points must be considered when ¨ Restore or improve the viability of identifying sources of stress for biodiversity in the site conservation elements: ¨ Strengthen the conservation capabilities in the site ¨ When multiple sources of stress contribute to a single stress, threat The ultimate objective of the mitigation strategies must be focused conservation strategies is to reduce the on the sources that have the most stresses that act on the systems or impact on that stress. conservation elements, reducing their ¨ Focus must be placed on those viability. To develop conservation sources of stress that would have a strategies, the following points must be long-term impact, like urban taken into account: development. ¨ To be considered, the sources of ¨ Conduct an analysis of the situation stress must be happening at the and the actors in the whole site present, or have a high probability of linked to each threat happening in the near future. ¨ Make a list of the proposed ¨ The sources of stress closest to the conservation strategies conservation elements must be ¨ Evaluate the proposed identified, rather than the most conservation strategies according distant sources, to ensure the to the following criteria: the development of direct and feasible benefits acquired by implementing conservation strategies. them; the feasibility of their being successful; and the costs On the basis of the best knowledge and ¨ Prioritize the conservation strategies expert judgment available, each source for the whole site, to determine the of stress must be evaluated according to lines of action the criteria of contribution and irreversibility: Making the Situation and Key Actors Diagram generates a graphic It is critical that investments made to representation of the cause and effect implement site conservation strategies be relations between the sources of stress, focused on the mitigation of the most human activities, key actors, and their critical threats, instead of less destructive main motivations. and easier to confront threats.

The final step in the evaluation of stresses COMPONENT 5: MEASURES OF CONSERVATION and sources of stress is to make a SUCCESS synthesis of the individual analyses of each stress and source of stress, which Measures of conservation success: identifies the critical threats over the The measurements of conservation systems or conservation elements in a impact consist of monitoring site, and allows the definition of priorities. biodiversity health and the state of critical threats, to provide feedback for COMPONENT 4: CONSERVATION STRATEGIES the adaptive management of the site, and for the revision of the conservation Conservation strategies: strategies when necessary. Also, The conservation actions developed and measuring conservation capability implemented to: monitors the institutional support for the

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implementation of the conservation of the site. Thematic maps of the Gulf strategies. The measures of conservation were also produced, to support the success are sets of monitoring indicators analysis and the formulation of the SCP. classified in the following manner: The first workshop was held in ¨ Biodiversity health: Evaluates the , from 2 to 4 May 2001. effectiveness of conservation The objectives were to identify, in a strategies to improve or maintain the participative manner, the conservation viability of the conservation elements elements and the principal threats to (size, condition, and landscape the tri-national area of the Gulf of context). Honduras, and to define the indicators to monitor those conservation elements ¨ State of critical threats: Evaluates the and threats. There were 42 effectiveness of conservation participants. The second workshop was strategies to diminish or eliminate held in Guatemala City, from 24 to 26 critical threats over time. July 2001. The objectives were to map the threats (stresses and sources of ¨ Conservation capability: Provides a stress) that are degrading the target way to monitor the following factors, elements, to identify in a participative key to the success of a site project: way the strategies to conserve the target elements, and to conduct an ¨ Project leadership and support: analysis of actors to involve in the Responsible and experienced implementation of the strategies. There personnel, support equipment were 35 participants. The process was finalized with a third workshop, held in ¨ Strategic method: Understanding Antigua Guatemala on 30 and 31 and application of the Site August 2001. The objectives were to Conservation Planning validate and refine the strategies and methodological framework, an action plans generated by the iterative and adaptive method to analyses in the previous activities, to develop and implement key ensure an effective conservation of the conservation strategies biodiversity of the site. There were 19 participants. Besides all the members ¨ Project financing and sustainability: of TRIGOH, universities, Ministries of the Initial or short-term financing, Environment and Agriculture, municipal sustainable support governments of the three countries, MBC, PROARCA, and TNC all DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE CONSERVATION participated in these workshops. PLANNING PROCESS FOR THE GULF OF HONDURAS However, the original process was not In the year 2001, with the support of completed; the systematization of the PROARCA/Costas, the basis for the Site information produced in the workshops Conservation Plan (SCP) for the Gulf of was lacking. Honduras was formulated. To this effect, a site profile was developed, and jointly When the new vision of PROARCA/APM with tri-national key actors, including the was manifested, it became necessary members of the Tri-National Alliance for to include some terrestrial regions, in the Conservation of the Gulf of Honduras order to complete the information of (TRIGOH), three workshops were held to the “from the watershed to the reef” identify conservation elements, stresses, proposal, and to validate the results sources of stress, work strategies, and with a new workshop. It was held from measures of success for the conservation 4 to 6 December 2003, in Puerto Barrios.

53 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras

The objectives of the workshop were to validate the strategies and the measures of success. Participants from Guatemala were 3 persons from FUNDARY, 4 persons from FUNDAECO, and 1 representative from Defensores de la Naturaleza; from Belize, 1 representative from TASTE, 1 representative from TIDE, 1 representative from NGC/TDC, 1 representative from Friends Of Nature, and 2 representatives from CISP/Proyecto GOH, for a total of 14 participants.

Before the workshop, suggestions from Fundación Fasquelle and PROLANSATE (Honduras), and TIDE and NGC/TDC (Belize) were taken into account, by means of visits to Honduras and Belize.

54 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Base map of the Gulf Honduras Map 1.

55 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Ecoregions Map 2.

56 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Life Zones, according to Holdridge Map 3.

57 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Conservation Elements Map 4.

58 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Stresses Map 5.

59 Site Conservation Planning Gulf of Honduras Sources of stress Map 6.

60 Organizaciones que forman parte del Consorcio de Ejecución de PROARCA/APM

In the Presidential Summit of 1989, the Chiefs of State signed the Central American Agreement for the Protection of the Environment, thus forming the Central American Commission on the Environment and Development (CCAD), as part of the Central American Integration System (SICA). The principles that provide the basis for the objectives of CCAD are:

To value and protect the heritage of the region, which is characterized by a diverse biology and diverse ecosystems. CCAD is called to be the link that establishes collaboration between the countries of the region in jointly seeking the adoption of sustainable development styles and the participation of all entities concerned with development. Meanwhile, it should promote coordinated actions between governmental and international entities to use the natural resources of the area in an optimal and rational way, and in the same manner seek actions destined to control contamination and seek efforts to re-establish the ecologic equilibrium. Another of its objectives is to negotiate the obtaining of regional and international financial resources to fulfill its conservation and development goals.

United States Agency for International Development

Since its founding by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 as an independent federal agency, the US Agency for International Development – USAID – has helped developing countries to provide opportunities to their people and to combat hunger, poverty, sickness, and environmental degradation. The international assistance programs of the United States have a long and distinguished history of achievements attained with half of one percent of the federal budget. Throughout more than 40 years, the programs of USAID have significantly contributed to democratic government, the facilitation of economic growth, natural resource and protected area management, biodiversity conservation, conflict reduction and management, and the provision of humanitarian aid in more than 200 countries in the world.

The Nature Conservancy was established in 1951 as a non-profit organization. Currently, it is the largest private organization dedicated to conservation in the United States. Its mission is:

To preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life in the world, by protecting the lands and waters that these need to survive. Since 1980, the Latin American and Caribbean Division of The Nature Conservancy has worked with associates in 20 countries to protect over 22 million hectares of critical habitats.

The basic goals of The Nature Conservancy are:

· Conserve, with a scientific basis. The organization was created by a group of ecologists; therefore science has always been the basis for its actions.

· Obtain on site results. TNC concentrates its efforts on in situ conservation, from the acquisition of lands to marking borders and patrolling protected areas, and training and equipping rangers.