Over 100,000 to kick off the New Year

PACT awarded $10,000 to the Toledo Institute for Development and the Environment (TIDE) to assist with the restoration efforts of Abalone Caye.  Abalone Caye is centrally located within the Port Honduras Marine Reserve (PHMR). This is a strategic location for TIDE’s ranger base and their research and education program. Abalone Caye, however, has been slowly eroding over the years and the level of erosion has now reached a critical stage, requiring immediate action to avoid complete reclamation of the island by the sea. TIDE has put several temporary measures in place, including several buffer walls, but all have been unsuccessful. It is clear that more effective defence mechanisms are required urgently.

This PACT Grant is to conduct Wave Modelling and Environmental Impact Assessment for Abalone Caye to determine the proper physical defence artificial reef structure to construct in order to protect the caye from harmful wave action.


In partnership with the Mesoamerican Reef Fun (MAR Fund), PACT is facilitating a grant to the Southern Environmental Association (SEA). The grant totals $131,740 and is supporting management activities within the Southern Belize Reef Complex (SBRC).” The SBRC is comprised of three protected areas: Laughing Bird Caye National Park, Gladden Spit/Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, and Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve. The Complex also preserves four spawning aggregation sites, where the Black Grouper, the endangered Nassau Grouper and the vulnerable Mutton and Cubera Snappers gather in vast numbers to spawn around the full moon.  Preliminary data of 2011 shows an increase in fishing vessels encountered within the SBRC. This increase in fishing pressure makes the collaborative approach to fisheries enforcement even more critical. This investment will sustain enforcement efforts with the aim of reducing illegal fishing activities within the SBRC as well as sustain public awareness about the Barrier Reef Complex.

PACT will posts updates from time to time on the progress of these projects. For photo updates visit this link: www.facebook.com/pactbelize.