Bio-diversity

The Barrier Reef is one of Belize s most important natural resources and the most important resource to the community of San Pedro. Therefore, the recent die-off of coral triggered by high water temperature signals a very serious threat to the economic well being of the people of San Pedro. This project will inform the community of San Pedro about the recent die-off of coral and the potential for further coral losses with increasing global temperatures. It will also involve resource users such as commercial fishermen, tour guides, and dive operators in monitoring the health of the reef and evaluating it s economic value to the community. Thirdly, it will facilitate the organization of a community wide lobby to request local and national government representatives to take action to prevent or compensate the economic losses that would occur as a result of recent and future lethal bleaching. Finally, the group will form associations with other concerned government and NGOs nationally, regionally, and internationally to exchange information on threats to our coral reefs and ways of preventing these threats and restoring our coral reefs.

Belize