May 14, 2023
The purpose of this project is to collaboratively investigate and understand the status of the FSA site(s) across multiple species of commercially important finfish during peak spawning months and the factors that have led to the disappearance of visiting whale sharks. This includes a detailed assessment of FSAs during the 6-month peak reproductive season for groupers and snappers and documentation of marine megafauna (MM) visitation, relative abundance, and their potential contribution to vibrant wildlife encounter tourism. Understanding these aspects with the community, tourism, fishing, and academic sectors will enable us to find solutions to restore fish populations and dynamic management of Gladden Spit, once a jewel in the crown of Belize’s wildlife encounter tourism and protected areas network.
Funds from Belize Fund ($BZD)
$,342
Co-financing ($BZD):
$,840
Grantee
MarAlliance (MAR)
Location
Gladden Spit and the Silk Cayes Marine Reserve
Thematic Area
Time-frame
February 2025 – April 2027
Project Goal:
To improve the status of commercial fish and support a basis for marine wildlife encounter tourism in Southern Belize.
Project Objectives:
- Status of Gladden Spit MPA’s FSA and megafauna resources are assessed relative to environmental conditions.
- Resources, instruments, and capacities for rewilding of ecologically and economically important marine species in the Gladden Spit MPA are improved.
- Develop communication instruments to inform key stakeholders and the public on findings, activities, and proposed initiatives at Gladden Spit.
Expected Outputs:
- Fish Spawning Aggregation (FSA) monitored.
- Marine megafauna and Fish Spawning Aggregation (FSA) monitored at Gladden Spit.
- Environmental monitoring of water quality parameters.
- Local fishing associations actively participate as members of the FSA and Shark Working Groups.
- Citizen science (CS) program developed.
- Trained fishers, guides, rangers, biologists, and students in identification of target species, reproductive life history characteristics, monitoring techniques and evaluations.
- Updated FSA monitoring protocol.
- Updated FSA and shark tourism course for Gladden Spit.
- Automation and standardization of data collection and analysis.
- Broadened communication and collaborations with key stakeholders.
- Creation of educational outreach materials and social media.
- A long-term management and financial sustainability plan developed.
GAP Application Final MAR