Last year in July, it made major local and international news when Belize expanded the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve to include the Corona Reef or Cayman Crown. Well, this important coral reef system, which straddles the maritime borders of Belize and Guatemala, is set to improve bilateral relations between marine conservationists in both countries.
A joint press release from the Ministry of the Blue Economy, the Belize Fisheries Department, and the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) says that the Corona Reef is the most underrepresented habitat in the marine protected areas of both Belize and Guatemala. But, it is believed to be a biologically important hotspot, a fish spawning aggregation site for numerous finfish species, and a habitat for deep-slope snapper and bottom-dwelling species. Last year, it was declared as a protected area in both countries.
TIDE has received a valid permit from the Belize Fisheries Department to conduct biological research at the Corona Reef. The organization plans to carry out research during 6 to 8 months of the year, and the scientific information gathered will inform the effective management of marine areas around the Corona Reef within the Sapodilla Reserve.
TIDE intends to get research permits from Guatemala so that they can conduct research on Guatemala's portion of the Corona Reef. You'll remember how the Belize Foreign Affairs Ministry had to formally protest against the Guatemalan Armed Forces in January of this year. That's after Guat. forces attempted to stop a TIDE team from conducting their research mission on the Corona Reef. Belize alleged that the GAF's vessels made an incursion into Belizean waters.
Well, if and when TIDE gets those permits from the Guatemalan authorities, there should be no further recurrence, and the joint press release says that TIDE, Guatemala's FUNDAECO, and Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative have pledged through a cooperation agreement to work jointly on research, protection, and management of the newly formed transboundary marine protected area.
