Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Ecosur, Chetumal 13 th March, 2012 SACD. Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development

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1 Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Ecosur, Chetumal 13 th March, 2012 SACD Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development

2 the largest estuarine system flowing into the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System an important transboundary drainage system, shared by Mexico and Belize a priority site under the Ecoregional Assessment of the Mesoamerican Reef, based on the importance of the estuarine system, manatee habitat, and extensive mangrove systems. GUATEMALA MEXICO BELIZE Size: 178,000 acres (72,000 ha) Statutory Instrument: SI 48 of 1998 IUCN Category: IV Management Authority: Forest Department Co-management Partner: Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD) Hol Chan Marine Reserve

3 Provides critical connectivity between watersheds and the reef Mangrove-lined coastal lagoons are identified as critical nursery areas for local commercial fish species snapper (Lutjanidae), stone bass (Gerridae) The lagoons are also identified a important nursery areas for sport fishing species eg. snook (Centropomus undecimalis) and permit (Trachinotus falcatus) Hol Chan Marine Reserve

4 High connectivity with other protected areas Bacalar Chico Sanctuario del Manate

5 Critically Endangered Consejo Shores Goliath Grouper Epinephelus itajara Hawksbill Turtle Small tooth Sawfish Endangered Important Critical Key Large area bird shark expanse for nesting the and West and of ray intact foraging Indian pupping Potential remnant sawfish mangrove manatee /nursery sites population Eretmochelys imbricata Pristis pectinata (?) Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Corozal Chelonia midas Green Turtle Sarteneja Vulnerable Copper Bank West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus Chunox Mutton Snapper Lutjanus analis Cubera Snapper Lutjanus cyanopterus Hogfish Lachnolaimus maximus IUCN, Redlist, 2012 Spanish Point Rocky Point

6 Natural Resource Management Programme Commercial Fish Species Surveillance and Enforcement Management of Conservation Targets and Threats Developing a sustainable fishery with local fishermen, through participatory planning and implementation Conservation Targets: Commercial Fish Species West Indian manatee Mangrove Seagrass Nesting Bird Cayes Elasmobranchs Water Quality

7 Natural Resource Management Programme Surveillance and Enforcement Management of Conservation Targets and Threats Conservation Targets: Commercial Fish Species West Indian manatee Mangrove Seagrass Nesting Bird Cayes Elasmobranchs Water Quality Commercial Fish Species Dependent on the connectivity between sea and coastal mangrove

8 Natural Resource Management Programme Management of Conservation Targets and Threats Conservation Targets: Commercial Fish Species West Indian manatee Mangrove Seagrass Nesting Bird Cayes Elasmobranchs Water Quality West Indian Manatee

9 Natural Resource Management Programme Surveillance and Enforcement Management of Conservation Targets and Threats Elasmobranchs An important ray nursery area and Belize s only known bull shark nursery area. Potential remnant sawfish population Conservation Targets: Commercial Fish Species West Indian manatee Mangrove Seagrass Nesting Bird Cayes Elasmobranchs Water Quality Bull Shark Whiptail ray Photos Above: Rachel Graham

10 Natural Resource Management Programme Water Quality Surveillance and Enforcement Management of Conservation Targets and Threats Conservation Targets: Commercial Fish Species West Indian manatee Mangrove Seagrass Nesting Bird Cayes Elasmobranchs Water Quality The importance of understanding how the system works how everything connects - seasonal salinity - freshwater influences - the wind-driven currents that connect Ecosur / L. Carillo

11 Natural Resource Management Programme Water Quality Surveillance and Enforcement Management of Conservation Targets and Threats Conservation Targets: Commercial Fish Species West Indian manatee Mangrove Seagrass Nesting Bird Cayes Elasmobranchs Water Quality Collaboration with Ecosur baseline assessment of Corozal Bay and installation of permanent salinity / water depth / temperature data loggers In-house monthly transect being established using YSI Professional Pro 3- probe for point sampling

12 Thank you! Questions??Preguntas? SACD Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development