Managed Access Coordinators Training 1

1. Managed Access Coordinators Training 1 ISAIAS MAJIL MPA COORDINATOR FISHERIES DEPARTMENT July 2013

2. What is a Marine Protected Area? • Any area of ocean, sometimes with adjacent land, set aside to preserve the beauty, flora, fauna, and/or the utility of that area for future generations ( marine reserves ) • Involves limitations of current benefits to some stakeholders to ensure the long-term benefits of all stakeholders

3. Mission • Fisheries Department ……….

4. TYPES of MARINE PROTECTED AREAS • Marine Reserves • National Parks • Natural Monuments • Sanctuaries • Reserves • Antiquities Areas (not yet used in Belize) ( 7 properties make up the BBRRS WHS )

5. LEGAL AUTHORITIES • MINISTRY of FORESTRY,FISHERIES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT • Fisheries Department • Fisheries Act • Marine Reserves -Forest Department • National Parks System Act • National Parks - Wildlife Sanctuaries • Natural Monuments - Mangrove Reserves • MINISTRY of TOURISM • Archaeology Department • Antiquities Act • None to Date

6. MULTIPLE USE CONCEPT • Zonation Scheme • General Use Zone: Fishing,Recreation, Research – 85% • Conservation Zone: Non Extractive Activities – 10% • Preservation Zone: No Activities Allowed – 5% ( Wilderness Zone )

7. Current Protected Areas along Belize’s Coast

8. MPA System

9. Spawning Aggregation Sites Protected under SI 161 of 2003 Protected Area Location / Affiliated Management Unit Adjacent to / within MPA Area (Acres) Rocky Point Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve / BFD Yes 1,402 Dog Flea Caye Turneffe / BFD yes 1,424 Caye okel Turneffe / BFD yes 1,402 Sandbore Lighthouse Reef / FD / BAS No 1,288 South Point Lighthouse Lighthouse Reef / FD / BAS No 1,378 Emily / Caye Glory South Water Caye Marine Reserve / BFD No 1,351 Northern Glover’s Glover’s Reef / BFD Yes 1,779 Gladden Spit Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve/ BFD/SEA Yes 1.280 Rise and Fall Bank Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve / BFD / SEA Yes 4,250 Nicholas Caye Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve / BFD / SEA Yes 1,664 Seal Caye Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve / BFD / SEA Yes 1,600

10. WHY CREATE MARINE RESERVES • To Foster Education • To Promote Research • To Improve Fisheries • To Allow for Recreation • To Protect Endangered Species • To Protect Ecosystems and Biodiversity

11. EDUCATION • MPA’s are excellent places for the public to interact with nature • Seeing flora and fauna in their natural state increases awareness of conservation issues • MPA’s provide a more controlled environment so educational activity impacts can be managed properly

12. RESEARCH • Establishment of best practices requires knowledge of ecosystem function with minimal human impact • Different types of MPA’s and zones within MPA’s allow for co-existence of research with other uses • As human populations grow and spread, it becomes harder to find pristine areas to study

13. FISHERIES • Increased spawning stock biomass provides greater replenishment • Spillover enhances local catches • Offers insurance against uncertainty • Increased predictability of catches • Reduced problems of multi-species management • Easier enforcement • Greater equity among fishers

14. RECREATION • Swimming • Snorkeling and Diving • Sport Fishing • Appreciation of Nature’s Beauty

15. ENDANGERED SPECIES • Reduced Predation Pressure • Maintenance of Necessary Habitat • Food sources • Shelter • Mating Areas • Reduced Disturbance and Stress • Maintenance of Minimum Sustainable Population Densities

16. ECOSYSTEMS and BIODIVERSITY • Changes in populations of even one species or of any abiotic factor can lead to drastic change or even collapse of an ecosystem • Preservation of large, interconnected communities of organisms is often necessary to retain dynamic stability • A holistic approach is required to assure long-term efficacy of protection

17. ISSUES of MAINTAINING MPA’s • Funding • Economic Impact • Restriction of Extractive Industries • Restriction of Development • Restriction of Disturbing Industries • Decreased Profitability due to Protective Regulations • Limitation of Access ( pilot sites )

18. LEGAL ISSUES • Equitable Enforcement • Political Inertia/ but changing • Political RecalcitrancePenalties for Regulation Infractions

19. MANAGEMENT • Site Manager • Biologist • Enforcement Rangers • Each site has a headquarters * • Rotational schedules • All are involved in all management programs; • Environmental awareness • Enforcement • Environmental monitoring • Fisheries Management • Site management

20. Management plan framework • National Protected Areas Policy Systems Plan elaborated through a long consultative process in 2005 • Includes various framework endorsed by Cabinet • Management plans have been updated at a national level for our National Marine Reserves Network

21. Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and National Park

22. Hol Chan Marine Reserve EXT.

23. Caye Caulker Marine Reserve

24. Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve

25. South Water Caye Marine Reserve

26. Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve

27. Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserves

28. Port Honduras Marine Reserve

29. Sapodilla

30. CO-MANAGEMENT • For Some MPA’s, non-governmental partners work as partners in managing the area • Allows for involvement of the local community ( advisory committee) • Shares costs of management • Encourages buy-in of stakeholder groups • Promotes better adherence to regulations

31. Co management Agreements • Southern Environmental Association • Toledo Institute for Development And Environment • Partial agreement with Forest and Marine Reserve Association of Caye Caulker FAMRACC • Partners: WCS, WWF, SACD, ERI, TASA, EDF, BAS, ECOMAR, • IMPORTANT TO ENGAGE IN AREAS THEY HAVE INVOLVEMENT

32. QUESTIONS • THANK YOU!!!!!!