Projects

It also provided a clear perspective for the Belize Fisheries Department on the Queen conch population situation in all the different areas studied, and urged to continue monitoring fishing activities in these sites.

2. Environmental Impact of Agro-industries and Mining on the integrity of Wetlands in the Polochic and Guatemalan Caribbean Watersheds.

The project objective was to study the environmental and anthropogenic factors that have an impact on the Polochic River basin and the Caribbean Sea and to propose mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate them, in order to maintain the ecosystem’s integrity.

The products of this project include two data bases: one for the location of the economic activities (mines, agriculture) in the area, and the other for the water quality parameters measured in rivers and Lake Izabal. Four maps were elaborated: one for the location of the economic activities in the area, one for the vulnerable and critical areas due to economic activities, one for lead concentration in water, and one for the water quality parameters evaluated, which were pH, temperature, oxygen, conductivity, depth, transparency and analysis of nutrients (ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, orthophosphate and total phosphorus).

Also as a result of the project, the mining and agriculture industries, such as the “Nickel Guatemalan Company” and “Development Investments” are now interested in financing the design of environmental monitoring plans to evaluate the impact of their operations on the environment.

3. Coral Gardens: Advanced Reef Repair and Restoration Training.

This project was developed in the Bay Islands, in Honduras. Its objectives were: 1) to build capacity for coral restoration and reef rehabilitation amongst fishermen, local community members and the dive and tourism industry, 2) to establish a “Volunteer Reef Ranger” program to increase knowledge and understanding of the importance of a functioning reef amongst youth and community leaders, 3) to develop a “Reef First Aid and Coral Care” program whereupon the dive industry learns new and ground-breaking methodologies on how to manage and protect highly used dive sites, and 4) to bring together all resource user groups to learn about the various land-based threats to surrounding reefs and collectively construct demonstration sites to minimize land-based nutrient runoff into the ocean.

The main results included fishing communities and conservation staff were trained in Reef First Aid and Coral Care methodologies through 3 workshops and field visits, a Coral Gardens Manual printed and distributed to 40 participants trained during these workshops; nine health and naturally reproducing (nurseries) points were established; nine reef restoration patches were established; 63 persons from the resort and dive industry,; a Volunteer Reef Ranger Committee was established in Guanaja; 18 Fish houses to control beach erosion were constructed in Utila; and a method to reduce nutrient runoff and to protect coasts from erosion demonstration site was established through planting local flora species.

4. Artisanal Fisheries Diagnostic at Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge.

The artisanal fisheries of the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge communities, in Honduras, had not been previously documented. The diagnostic obtained information on the fishers’ socio-economic situation, fishing gear used, fishing zones, fishing effort and productivity, and local ecology.   

In addition to the diagnostic, other efforts included: updating fishing regulations for the wildlife refuge; a census of fishermen and boats; a map of fishing areas, and a database containing the information from the diagnostic.

5. Determination of threats and possible mitigation strategies in red algae beds (rodoliths) as conservation objects in the Caribbean. Part one: Quintana Roo.

The objective of this project was to study the red algae beds (rodoliths) and to determine their distribution, to determine their importance for coastal biodiversity, and to determine the main threats that may affect them in the marine priority regions of the southern coast of Quintana Roo.

A spatial distribution map of the rodolith beds in southern Quintana Roo was prepared. This led to determine that inside the state of Quintana Roo, rodolith beds can be easily found in two main regions: Cozumel and Xcalak. It was determined that 28 species of macro algae and 17 species of invertebrates are associated to the beds. A risk matrix was developed with the following criteria: i) distance from rodolith beds to the shoreline. The closest the riskiest, ii) coast (km) covered by rodolith beds, and iii) human activities.

6. Fish of the southern Quintana Roo coast: A decade of changes.

The project objective was to establish a monitoring strategy for coral fish in Xcalak Reef National Park Protected Area as well as in two non protected areas (Mahahual and Xahuayxol) as a control measure. It also compared the results with those obtained in the same areas by a study developed between 1995 and 1998, durin which the significant changes in fish composition, abundance or size structure were evaluated.

This project based its development on one prospective field visit and five field expeditions. During these, 11,277 organisms of 30 families and 104 species were counted. This took place in Mahahual, Xahuayxol, Huach River and Xcalak communities.

The results of the comparison indicate that in fish stock composition and size structure of the studied areas, there were no significant differences between them. For this project, approximately 8% of the 104 species registered in the previous study were the most abundant.

7. Program on the Public Use of the Tulum Complex - Tulum Tankah Area of Archeological Monuments, Solidaridad Municipality, Quintana Roo, México.

The objective of this project was to compile and analyze the existing information about the physical, biological, social and economic characteristics of the tourist activity, and the environmental impacts derived from it within the Tulum National Park.

This project led to, among other things: the strengthening of the relationship between the park authorities (CONANP and INAH); additional funding from international institutions related to tourism (The Travel Foundation) and initiatives to restart the museum and visitor center.