The international organization known as the Healthy Reefs for Healthy People has released its 2021 Eco-Audit on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.
This year's audit is the 4th that they've done on the coral reef system that stretches just under 700 miles along the coastlines of 4 countries: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. The Mesoamerican Reef, or the MAR, is the largest reef system in the Western Hemisphere. It begins at the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, and it runs all the way down to the Bay Islands of Honduras.
Healthy Reefs for Healthy People is an initiative of over 70 organizations that have been studying the MAR since its formation in 2003. They've published assessment tools like the reef report card and their 4 eco-audits on the overall health of the reef system.
This morning, they released the result of their 2021 Eco-Audit, and in the summary of their findings, they say that Belize is once again leading the other 3 countries taking proactive steps to protect the reef:
Dr. Melanie McField - Director, Healthy Reefs for Healthy People
"The 2021 Eco Audit is now in, and Belize has again secured the highest score with 70% of the recommended management actions now complete. This is followed closely by Honduras, Mexico, and Guatemala. Since our last eco audit in 2016, the regional score increased from 62 to 66%, with Honduras and Guatemala having the largest gains. 12 of the indicators increased 10 remain the same, and 6 actually declined. Sewage and Sanitation finally had a substantial increase, going from 46% to 56%, with all 3 indicators having an increase. Ecosystem-based fisheries from 60 to 72%, with parrot fish protections across the MAR, and several other increases in the protection of fish spawning aggregations. Marine Protect Areas, though actually had a decrease, from 70 to 66%, primarily because we finally adjusted the criteria up to our actual target of 20% in full protection. Private sector engagement is now our lowest theme, indicating an urgent need, but also an opportunity to develop stronger alliances with businesses."
As you heard, that was a snapshot of the performance by all 4 countries. Here now is a summary of Belize's performance in this eco-audit, which was provided by Nicole Craig, the Belize Coordinator of the Healthy Reefs Initiative:
Nicole Craig - Country Coordinator, Health for Healthy People
"Belize's overall Eco-Audit score slightly increased from 68% in 2016 to 70% this year. Belize expanded the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve, to better manage resources on our side of the amazing Cayman Crown Reef. This increases the percent of territorial sea included in Gazetted marine protected areas and demonstrates a collaborative approach to science and conservation. The Revised Fisheries Act empowers fishers with specific rights-based benefits countrywide, raising this action from 40 to 100% implementation. We now have a total of 8 recommendations that have been fully implemented, more than any other country. Belize has some important emerging efforts to engage our private sector directly in conservation, such as the Fish Right Eat Right campaign, which should help us achieve more sustainable seafood. But overall, there is not a high level of private sector engagement or incentives offered by the Government. Belize also urgently needs to improve sewage treatment facilities, given our growing population. This indicator has not improved at all over the last decade."
If you would like a more detailed breakdown of the audit team's assessment of how each of the 4 countries performed in the 28 management actions, you can find a link to a 1 hour-and-20-minute webinar on their Healthyreefs YouTube page.
