Site Visit (See video).

The objective of the site visit was to provide a first hand experience of the management of Hol Chan Marine Reserve and to witness there success stories with their increase of marine products. Assisting us in accomplishing this was Ms. Kira Forman, Hol Chan’s Marine Biologist and Ms. Mariela Palma Archer, Hol Chan’s Environmental Educator. Ms. Archer presented to the group on the history of Hol Chan Marine Reserve and its management activities to present. Ms. Foreman presented on the biological aspect of management. Emphasizing on how development on the island has affected the ecosystems.

 

The participants got the opportunity to hear from a local stakeholder of the reserve. At the end of the marine reserve staff presentations, Mr. Addie Marin was introduced to the group. Mr. Marine started his presentation with a thirty minutes DVD. The DVD depicted the lives of Mr. Marin and Mr. Lincoln Westby, both as fly fishing guides. The documentary was very instrumental in getting the conservation message across, also, the reasons why our ecosystems are important to protect for present and future generations. Mr. Marin stressed the importance of conservation and spoke of his efforts in lobbying the government of Belize not to continue to sell off the mangrove ecosystems for development. He also urged his audience to consider nature as not only for today but for our children to come. Special mention was made on the development of the island and the type of tourism. Mr. Marin’s presentation was very inspirational.

 

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The group consisting of stakeholders from Punta Negra, TIDE, Punta Gorda and Forest Home then traveled into the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Zone A, its conservation zone. As the boat arrived at Hol Chan, the group was greeted by an array of different marine species. The shade the boat provided was like a safe haven for groupers, jacks, snappers and two hawks’ bill turtles who kept a safe distance. The crew was amazed by what they were seeing, after snorkeling for about forty five minutes the group then moved on to Shark Ray Alley; which too blew the group away.

 

The participants on the site visit to Hol Chan Marine Reserve are as follows: Henry Wedderburn, Paula Jacobs, Jamie Jacobs, Ray Arzu, Melicia Jacobs, Jaqueline Young, Paul Etienne, Kenley Williams, Seleem Chan, Kenworth Martin, and Narciso Martinez. Three other community members where invited and did not show, they are Ashton Martin, Ricky Castro and Daniel Tillet. The group expresses gratitude to the Fisheries Department, Mr. Coleman and Mr. Williams both did an excellent job in transporting us to La Isla Bonita and back to Belize safely. Kind regards go to the staff of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Ms. Mariela and Ms. Kira.

 

 “What we want to see is for us to keep our fish stock health, because if we deplete our fish stock then why would fly fishermen come here?”
- Mr. Eloy Cuevas Jr.