SUFB 751: Belize Doubles No-Take Marine Protected Areas To Boost Biodiversity and Protect Fisheries

Belize has doubled the amount of No-Take Marine Protected Areas in its waters to boost biodiversity and protect fisheries from future fishing pressure. 

The new No-Take MPAs as located in waters that range from 200-3000 metre deep and includes a coral reef complex called the Corona Reef. Corona Reef has been identified as an aggregation area of commercially important finfish species. The MPAs are not under significant fishing pressure at the moment; however, investments have been made to build larger boats and better gear that will handle the new depth range. 

The MPAs are designed to pro-actively protect the finfish species before the aggregation areas are depleted due to overfishing.

The No-Take MPA increase puts Belize at 12% of its coastal and marine waters over the 10% goal outlined in the Convention on Biological Diversity. 

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