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Gladden Spit Marine Reserve

The largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, the Meso-American Reef extends along the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, the entire coast of Belize and parts of Guatemala and Honduras. The Nature Conservancy helps partner organizations protect several sites along the reef, including the Gladden Spit Marine Reserve. Gladden Spit sits towards the southern end of the reef, directly east of Placencia, off the southern coast of Belize

Why the Conservancy selected this site
The Gladden Spit Marine Reserve harbors an intact spawning aggregation site for at least 25 species of reef fish, resulting in a continuous replenishment of the region's fisheries. The government of Belize chose Nature Conservancy partner, Friends of Nature (FON), to manage Gladden Spit.

Threats
The integrity of the Gladden Spit Marine Reserve is threatened by unsustainable fishing practices, such as the use of gill nets, and anchor damage to reefs. Overfishing has reduced critical fish species to dangerously low population levels, threatening their long-term existence in Gladden Spit and throughout the Meso-American Reef.

What The Conservancy Is Doing

  • Recognizing that many local fishermen are economically dependent on fishing the aggregation sites, the Conservancy and Friends of Nature are introducing alternative-income opportunities for the community; so far, 21 fishermen have been trained and certified as dive and sport-fishing guides. They now have the opportunity to earn more from the spawning sites as guides than they can garner from fishing, and have become willing advocates for spawning-aggregation protection.

  • Large concentrations of whale sharks, which come to feed on the fresh eggs and spawn, also visit the area several months of the year. The presence of the whale sharks is dependent on the health of the fish aggregations. With well-planned management efforts, the site can be an ecotourism destination for sports fishing and diving. Along with Friends of Nature, The Nature Conservancy conducts intensive scientific research in the Gladden Spit Marine Reserve in order to maintain the continued health of these dramatic whale sharks and fish aggregations.