Belize is proposing three offshore marine protected areas (MPAs) to fulfill its commitment to protecting 30% of its ocean and achieve a milestone in its Blue Bond agreement. This plan, submitted for government approval on September 8, aims to protect deepwater features while avoiding coastal fishing grounds.
The decision to focus on offshore areas was based on criteria that considered both ecological and social factors. Stakeholders expressed reluctance to increase protections in nearshore areas, which are already heavily utilized. An analysis revealed that deepwater ecosystems were underrepresented in Belize’s existing MPA network, with over 50% of corals and nearly 40% of seagrass already protected inshore. This offshore approach is also seen as favorable by local fishers, as it does not impact their traditional fishing grounds.
Source: Mongabay