South Water Caye Marine Reserve
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South Water Caye Marine Reserve
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 South Water Caye |
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| location | Belize | |
| Geographical location | 16 ° 43 ' N , 88 ° 9' W | |
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| Setup date | 1996 | |
South Water Caye Marine Reserve is a marine protected area (marine reserve) in the Stann Creek District of Belize . Established in 1996, it covers 47,702 hectares (117,875 acres) of mangroves and coastal biotopes.
The Crown Reserve Man of War Caye is also part of the reserve. The island is a nesting area for brown booby (brown booby) and Magnificent Frigatebird (magnificent frigatebird) under special protection.
In 2017, National Geographic named Pelican Beach on South Water Caye as one of the 21 best beaches in the world.
geography
The marine reserve comprises a section of the shallow reef crowns of the Central American Barrier Reef off the Atlantic coast. | area = 47,702 | ha
Some of the reef islands ( Cayes = Motu ) are still equipped with small hotel complexes. The islands of Carrie Bow Caye , Man-O'-War Caye, South Water Caye , Tobacco Range and Twin Caye are in the reserve . The area is particularly valuable because of its high biodiversity. The habitats include both mangroves , as well as extensive seagrass beds and accordingly many endangered species such as the Great Queen Conch (queen conch, Strombus gigas), Caribbean spiny lobster (Lobster, Panulirus argus). The protected channels and mangrove groves of Pelican Cayes in the southern section of the reserve have been recognized as one of the most biodiverse marine areas in the western hemisphere, with numerous species endemic and new to science.
The Mangrove Cayes offer nesting opportunities for numerous bird species. The numerous sandbanks around Wee Wee Caye also have breeding areas for the rare rose tern (roseate tern, Sterna dougallii) and for sea turtles.
aims
The reserve was set up according to the specifications of UNESCO , which included the reserve as the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage Site in 1996 . The aim of the reserve is to provide "protection and wise use, understanding and enjoyment of the natural resources of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve in the long term". In the protected area, the guidelines are: to preserve natural resources for future generations, to encourage fishermen to fish sustainably, to offer recreational opportunities, research and educational opportunities and visits, as well as to strengthen environmental education and intensify research.
Individual evidence
- ^ A b Belize Tropical Forest Studies: South Water Caye Marine Reserve . In: Biodiversity and Environmental Resource Data System . 2010. Archived from the original on May 8, 2012.
- ↑ Kimberley Lovato: 21 Best Beaches in the World . January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ South Water Caye Marine Reserve . In: protectedplanet.net .
- ↑ To provide for the protection, wise use, understanding, and enjoyment of the natural resources of South Water Caye Marine Reserve in perpetuity.
- ↑ Objectives: Maintain and conserve the natural resources of South Water Caye Marine Reserve for the benefit of current and future generations Engage fishermen in the management of sustainable fisheries Provide opportunities for recreation, interpretation, education, and appreciation for all visitors Strengthen education and understanding of Users and potential users of the dynamics of coral reef systems within South Water Caye Marine Reserve and the human impacts affecting them Identify, implement and strengthen priority research and monitoring through on-site activities, collaboration and partnerships.
