WCS took a major lead in marine conservation in Belize, by assuming the task of creating a plan for the design and management of the proposed Glovers Reef Marine Reserve. WCS, with diligent efforts, careful planning and input from users of the Glovers Reef Atoll, successfully created a management plan for the proposed reserve in 1988 and submitted it for approval. Just 5 years later, in 1993, Glovers Reef Atoll was declared a marine reserve by the Government of Belize. The reserve encompasses the entire Atoll, extending to the 100-fathom depth line, and totals an area of 35,876 ha.
The original reserve design included four zones, the conservation zone, a wilderness zone, a seasonal closure area, and the general use zone. Although WCS reached its initial goal of establishing a marine reserve at Glovers Reef, conservation efforts in Belize were far from over. WCS continued their involvement with the purchase of Middle Cay and the construction of the Glovers Reef Marine Research Station, strategically located within the reserve, providing an ideal location for conducting ongoing research.
Management and design of Glovers Reef Marine Reserve is a continuing task and is based largely on the results from research conducted at GRMRS. Within the last few years, WCS supported a proposal for the full closure to fishing of an area that encompasses the Nassau Grouper spawning site. Nassau groupers, a commercially important, species are rapidly declining and would continue to do so if protective measures were not taken. However, prohibiting fishing was not considered an option for fear that local fishers would lose money. The new fully protected site, which replaces the seasonal closure area, was proposed after a combination of research focusing on the Nassau Grouper conducted at GRMRS was applied used as support. Results from studies were not only able to show that grouper populations had really declined and would continue to do so but in addition were able to show that the cost of a live grouper was higher, therefore suggesting and supporting ecotourism as an acceptable alternative to fishing (Sala et al 2001). In 2002, this method of using results from the field to develop effective policies was successful and legislation was signed to close 11 spawning aggregation sites to fishing.
Below is a brief description of each zone’s purpose and objective, as well as the use and entry policy:
General Use Zone
This zone is mainly located in the northern part of the Atoll, but also has a small portion in the southwestern corner. It is the largest zone within the reserve, representing approximately three-quarters of it. This zone is designed to provide an area for traditional and sustainable activities under closely monitored conditions, as well as simultaneously providing a study area for monitoring fisheries. The area is open to those fishers who have traditionally used the area, but they are required to acquire special licsenses and provide detailed records of their catch. Recreational activities such as diving, snorkeling, sailing, and kayaking are also allowed.
Conservation Zone
Located at the southern portion of the atoll, this zone is the second largest zone within the reserve. This zone provides a relatively undisturbed area that can be used for research as well as recreational activities. The zone was designed in a way that protects a representative sample of each of the atoll’s habitats including windward and leeward peripheral reefs, and the lagoon with its patch reefs and sea grass beds. Use of the area is highly monitored and controlled. All users are restricted from taking anything from the area except for registered residents partaking in subsistence fishing, and catch-and-release sport fishing. Dive boats require licenses to operate in the zone, and divers must register with the reserve manager.
Fully protected Spawning Aggregation Site
This zone is located on the northeast corner of the atoll and encompasses the Nassau Grouper spawning bank, including the channel in the reef and the deeper waters of the reef. This area is closed to fishing in an attempt to protect the population of spawning Nassau Groupers. With protection, the area will also be a good site for researchers to monitor the recovery of the spawning population of groupers.
Wilderness Zone
Also known as a “Preservation Zone”, it is the smallest of the 4 zones and is located just south of Middle Cay, along the southeastern reef tract. The main objective of this zone is to keep a small portion of the atoll completely undisturbed, from all activities. It will also provide a baseline for all research that is occurring elsewhere in atoll. Absolutely no boats are allowed within this area unless there is an emergency and visitors are also prohibited unless they have received special permission.