New protections for coral reefs and dwindling fish species in Belize
Jeremy Hancemongabay.com
April 27, 2009
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“We applaud the Government of Belize for these progressive new laws that will ensure a future for coral reefs in the region,” said Dr. Steven E. Sanderson, President and CEO of WCS. “Belize has set a new standard for coral reef and fisheries protection in the Caribbean.”
 Coral reefs in Belize. Photo by: Rhett A. Butler. |
The new laws also protect the Nassau grouper, which is currently listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List due to overfishing throughout the Caribbean. While the Nassau grouper can still be fished in Belize, the new laws set a maximum and minimum for size and require that Nassau groupers be brought in whole, so that the declining fish can be better monitored. Another measure intended to help Nassau grouper is the ban on spearfishing in marine reserves. Spearfishing is a common method for catching groupers.
Finally, two marine reserves have been declared no-take zones, i.e. areas closed entirely to fishing. South Water Caye and Sapodilla Cayes marine reserves were created in 1996, but Belize has allowed fishing throughout the reserves until now.
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