Bio-diversity

This proposal, Working Towards the Sustainable Management of the Commercial Fisheries Resources of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, has three objectives: (1) To increase the effectiveness of the management of atoll resources through the training and inclusion of fishermen stakeholders in the monitoring of atoll resources, (2) To increase BAS s efficiency of monitoring through the purchase of required equipment, and (3) To contribute to the effective management of Lighthouse Reef Atoll through the sharing of collected data with various stakeholder interest groups, for their inclusion in the development of proper management plans and initiatives. BAS has engaged key stakeholders National Fishermen Producers Cooperative Society Ltd. (NFPC), Belize Fishermen Cooperative Association (BFCA), Fisheries Department and Forest Department as co-manager with BAS of the Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye Monument, and these organizations and agencies as important to the success of the project. The BAS, with the involvement of NFCA, BFCA and Fisheries Department, intends to select fisher participants and train them in methodologies developed under the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System Project (MBRS) Synoptic Monitoring Protocols for monitoring of coral reef, sea grass, fish, and mangrove and collaborate with NFCA in the collection of data related to level of effort for harvesting of commercial species. Through fisher folk involvement in the monitoring of the commercial species at the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, the data collected jointly with BAS staff would be validated by the fisher folks. The training of fisher folks would enable them to participate in future monitoring efforts and this may develop into an opportunity for some participants to obtain seasonal employment in monitoring efforts. Through the forums, analysis and information may provide the basis of some sustainable use suggestions for the Lighthouse Reef Atoll.

Belize