8 minute read
BTT Partners with Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute
BY CHRIS SANTELLA
The current population of Belize is estimated at just over 410,000. That’s one thousand or so fewer souls than currently reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Yet despite its modest population, and Vermont-sized dimensions, Belize plays an oversized role in terms of healthy western Caribbean ecosystems—from its mountains and lush rainforests to its amazingly rich coastal zone. The latter includes a large section of the Meso-American reef (and its many denizens), 300 cayes, a host of endangered species like the West Indian manatee and American crocodile and immense populations of permit, bonefish and tarpon.
The Belizean people take great pride in their land and its tremendous biodiversity. They also understand the incredible importance of the nation’s biological riches to its economy. World-renowned snorkeling and diving draw around 900,000 tourists to the region annually, driving construction of new coastal development, airports, urban areas, and cruise ship ports. The same coastal ecosystems also support commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries. These resource-based economic activities in the coastal zone generate $350 to $400 million BDZ annually. Responsibility for overseeing the complex and at times conflicting functions related to the economic development, resource and environmental management in the coastal zone of Belize is divided among numerous agencies. Near the forefront of these efforts is Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute (CZMAI).
The notion of implementing coastal zone management in Belize was born out of a historic International Coastal Resources Management Workshop held in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, in August of 1989. The initiative, also known as “the Meeting of the Minds,” was in response to concerns that the coastal zone was being developed at a rapid pace, and there was no national development plan in place at the time to guide resource utilization and conservation. One important outcome of the workshop was that all the experts agreed that Belize required an integrated, holistic approach to resource management of its coastal resources to ensure the long-term viability of its barrier reef system. Coastal Zone Management (CZM) was identified as the approach that could best strike a balance between economic development and sustainable management of the coastal zone.
Despite making great progress in its infancy, it became clear relatively quickly that the CZM Unit alone would not be able to achieve the goals of CZM. A legal framework and institutional arrangement were required. Adequate financial resources were also necessary. By 1998, the Coastal Zone Management Act was passed to respond to the diversification of coastal land and the resulting increase in demand among other challenges such as rapid development, overfishing, and population growth. The Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) was established that same year and mandated to work with a broad scope of partners and stakeholders to produce an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Plan. The ICZM Plan was completed and ratified by the Cabinet in 2016 and is now being communicated by CZMAI to all partners and stakeholders around the country whose work or development interest falls under the broad remit of the ICZM Plan.
Bonefish & Tarpon Trust recently announced the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding with CZMAI to identify and implement conservation and protection of coastal and nearshore habitats associated with Belize’s flats fishery. “BTT is pleased to collaborate with CZMAI on its important mission to ensure the sustainable use of marine resources and ensure wise development in the coastal zone,” said BTT CEO Jim McDuffie. CZMAI and BTT will collaborate on:
Research and monitoring activities, including tagging projects related to Belize’s inshore recreational fish species, such as bonefish, tarpon, and permit, as well as studies related to age, growth, reproduction, and genetics of the fish. The organizations will also conduct habitat assessments, mapping of Belize’s flat fishing habitats, and studies related to water quality.
Public engagement/awareness/educational outreach to highlight the many facets of Belize’s economically significant recreational fishing sector, including the development of a “Best Practice” guide for Belize’s flats fishery, media trips, and community-wide events.
Strengthening CZMAI’s ability to manage the flats fishery including coordinating appropriate training opportunities on related topics including habitat health assessments, water quality monitoring, and fish genetics studies. BTT will also provide support with respect to national initiatives such as marine spatial planning and other policy priorities of mutual interest.
“There’s lots of overlap between CZMAI’s priorities regarding coastal management and recreational fishing and ours,” said Kellie Ralston, BTT’s Vice President for Conservation and Public Policy. “We always act in a supporting role, rather than trying to dictate activities on the ground. We work closely with Arlene Young (CZMAI’s Director) and Victor Sho (Sport Fishing Coordinator) to understand where we can help most—from a technical, financial or capacity support perspective.”
“Everyone has their roles and responsibilities in managing our coastline,” Young pointed out. “We work collectively toward leading sustainable use/plan development of Belize’s coastal zone. CZMAI is a planning authority, not a regulatory body. Our objective is to provide scientific data and advice to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Co-operatives to improve use of our coastal zone and make management plans more enforceable. We realize that development pressure is high in some regions, like Caye Caulker and Placencia, which are hotspots for tourism. There’s a challenge in balancing conservation and development. We try to provide the planning tools/information for decision-makers.”
“BTT have been great collaborators,” Young added. “Kellie has been integral in working on the revitalization of the coastal plan. Dr. Addiel Perez (BTT’s Belize-Mexico Program Manager) ties together theoretical knowledge of why to protect fish, and how, and can address research goals. Dr. Aaron Adams (BTT’s Director of Science and Conservation) has shared lots of research papers that helped me understand BTTs work, and showed what gaps needed to be filled here in Belize. We’ve also had engagement with Jim McDuffie, who has provided leadership at the highest level.”
One area where CZMAI and BTT see an opportunity to collaborate is on sport fishing regulations. “Given their experience with flats fisheries, we value their input on new regulations,” Young added. “Holding a seat on the technical fishing group—a key component of the Blue Bonds for Ocean Conservation Initiative—they can shed light on the best tools to implement in new regulations.” With Blue Bonds, The Nature Conservancy has agreed to finance a significant portion of Belize’s government debt in exchange for an expansion of marine protections.
“I think that CZMAI is excited to gain a better understanding of what’s working, what’s not working and how regulations can be enhanced,” Ralston said. “BTT has been focused on flats fisheries, but these are connected to offshore reefs. We need to look at things in a holistic manner.”
In addition to supplementing CZMAI’s scientific footprint and contributing to the drafting of broader sport fishing regulations, BTT has been working closely to elevate the visibility of sport fishing— both economically and culturally—among younger Belizeans, by partnering with CZMAI and supporting their summer youth camps.
“There are lots of guides around San Pedro and people somewhat understand fly fishing,” Victor Sho said. “But in places like Dangriga where fly fishing as a tourism activity is a new concept, people are surprised at the discrepancy between how much they might make as a guide vis a vis a commercial fisherman.”
In 2023, CZMAI put on three summer fly fishing camps around Belize, one in Ambergris, one in Placencia and one in Dangriga. Enrollment was open to 10 to 12 kids per class. BTT provided fishing equipment and financial support to hire guides who would act as teachers. “It’s our hope that the kids will learn not only the mechanics of casting to and landing a fish,” Sho continued, “but also the connectivity of that activity to the ecosystems.”
“The fly-fishing education classes started as an informal partnership on Ambergris to support local guide Omar Arceo’s efforts to increase education and awareness of the flats fishery for tour-guides during their training,” recalled Dr. Perez. “Omar believed that new guides needed additional hands-on skills to become flats fishing guides. Since the program started, we have seen more responsible guiding and better conservation practices.”
“Because of the previous education efforts, all the kids knew about flats fishing,” said Lysandra Chan, Technical Assistant for BTT’s Belize-Mexico Program. “When questioned about the life cycle of bonefish and habitats, they were very knowledgeable. They had very positive attitude towards the training and beyond that in the role that they can play in the conservation of species and habitats in Belize.”
Chris Santella is the author of 21 books, including the popular “Fifty Places” series from Abrams. He’s a regular contributor to The New York Times, The Washington Post, and TROUT.
