On October 11, 2011, the Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MAR Fund) signed an agreement with the Belize Fisheries Department for their project, “Enforcement enhancement at the South Water Caye Marine Reserve (SWCMR).” PACT, as the representative body for MAR Fund in Belize, will oversee the smooth administration of this project.

The Marine Reserve Network (MRN) was developed by the Fisheries Department as a fisheries management tool utilizing the ecosystem management approach rather than the traditional species specific protection. This approach entails the multi-use zoning concept that includes extractive and no-take zones. In 2009 the South Water Caye Marine Reserve (SWCMR) zonation was legislated which includes three no-take areas. The limited capacity for effective enforcement of the South Water Marine Reserve relies on limited resources available in the no-take zone that is located in the southern area of the reserve namely the Pelican Cayes.

Belize’s fishing industry contributes to 3 percent of GDP with the main export commodities being lobster and conch and it employs over 2,000 fishermen distributed all over the country.  The lobster and conch fisheries are considered mature with a heavy risk of over-exploitation and as such it is imperative to curb illegal fishing especially in the SWCMR which is the largest marine reserve in Belize.

With the $95,496 awarded, Fisheries hopes to decrease illegal activities occurring in the marine reserve by 25 percent by the end of this one year project. This will be done by equipping the reserve staff with the necessary materials/supplies to conduct robust enforcement programs to reduce illegal activities while collecting data for their fishery dependent monitoring program on catch per unit effort. Another vital component of the initiative will be investment in human capital for improved enhancement in the long term.

There is urgency in effectively managing this marine protected area since it is one of the sites that make up the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage Cluster and has outstanding universal value.

For more information on MAR Fund visit: www.marfund.org

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