Meso-American Reef

A small island breaks the ocean's surface within the Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve. © Lisa Monzón/The Nature Conservancy

Just off the Caribbean coast of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, waves crash against a small outcropping of rocks - a small disturbance on the surface compared to the world of activity below.

Location
The Meso-American Reef extends from the coastal waters of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula into Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, forming the largest coral barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.

Animals

• Dolphins
• Sea turtles
• Whale sharks
• Conch and lobster
• Grouper and snapper
• Bonefish, tarpon, and permit fish

Plants and Corals

• Brain, elkhorn, black and many other species of coral
• Sea fans
• Mangroves
• Seagrass beds

Why The Conservancy Works Here
The Meso-American reef stretches over 400-miles from north to south and contains some of the most extensive and well-developed coral formations in the world, supporting an amazing diversity of marine life. More than 500 species of fish have been recorded along the reef, many of which support the livelihoods of small-scale commercial fishermen residing along the coast.

Despite the well-recognized value of coral reefs, they are facing unprecedented levels of destruction from a range activities including habitat destruction, water quality degradation, overfishing, temperature-related coral bleaching and associated diseases, possibly linked to climate change. Experts predict that by the year 2050, 70% of reefs will be lost from the world forever-coastal communities that depend on these reefs and associated habitats for their livelihood will be particularly hard hit.

Learn more about the threats to coral reefs. 

What The Conservancy Is Doing
Throughout the Meso-American Reef, The Nature Conservancy is working with local and international partners to identify, establish, and manage areas, which are rich in marine biodiversity and, ideally, show natural resistance to threats like coral bleaching. These marine protected areas will form a network of connecting reserves, designed to promote continuous replenishment of fish and other marine populations.

• Off the coast of Belize, The Nature Conservancy is working with the government of Belize and local organizations to identify, protect and manage thirteen spawning aggregation sites of endangered reef fish. Recognizing that many fishermen are economically dependent on fishing aggregation sites, like the Gladen Spit Marine Reserve, we are working with local partners to develop alternative sources of income for affected communities.
  
  
• The Nature Conservancy's Belize program is also working with local partners to protect the coastal forests, rivers and coral cayes in the in the Port Honduras Marine Reserve, the marine component of the Maya Mountain Marine Corridor.  Port Honduras was recently designated a marine reserve by the government of Belize, which chose the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) to manage the reserve.
  
  
• In Mexico's Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve, the Conservancy works with local conservation organization Amigos de Sian Ka'an and the reserve staff to support reef monitoring and develop marine management plans. In addition, we are working with local landowners along the coast to curb illegal fishing and ensure the health of the wetlands that nourish the reef. 
  
• Learn more about the Conservancy's work in the Meso-American Reef

 Learn more about the Marine Initiative