Wouldn't it be nice!
I began diving in the area in the early 80's when work started on the formation of Hol Chan Marine Reserve by 1987 it had been established but only after a huge contribution from the USAID and the World Wildlife Fund.
Mexico Rocks is the next logical step but its been only talked about and wished for since 1990.
Its over 20 years later and we still only have a proposal.
Citizen Committees and Business Associations have little to no funds for such a project.
Despite recent hype I remain skeptical.
Without a large injection of funds from heavy weights like the World Wildlife Fund, The National Audubon Society or USAID its highly unlikely a Citizens Group will pull this off!
WWF is out of money, USAID comes with Hillary Clinton telling Belize how to run the country and if the Audubon society kicks in its going to benefit the birds as well, so addition of wetlands is a smooth move...Good Luck!

Please explain why it takes so much $$?

Yes I also would like to know what all the costs would be to make Mexico Rocks a Marine Reserve. Is this possible at the municipal
level (town counsel)or only at the GOB level ? Could you just connect all the buoys with caution rope , and add some no fishing,no anchor signs , marine reserve signs.Would that help? We all could make contributions to purchase those signs to help establish this as a reserve.

Acquisitions of private lands within the proposed reserve areas, surveys,Marine Reserve office,Staff salaries, Boats for rangers,fuel for boats, salary for rangers, etc.
Hopefully the park fees will eventually take over and they can use the sustainable word honestly but not for years.

Why can't private business handle all this and charge an appropriate fee to cover those costs,instead of the government.White sands or Costa maya or whoever could bid on the exclusive rights for a 2 or 3 year time frame , and be responsible for all activites at the site,with maintenance and improvements , and profit from the reserve .

A reef is more than the pretty spot everyone visits.The life support system extends across the island and includes mangroves and lagoons, these are a part of the reserve as well and must be acquired from government and private land holders. You can't just say this is reserve, put up some buoys and start collecting tickets.
The pretty spot on the reef with the colourful fish is like a beautiful rose after its cut its going to wilt and die with out the bush.
Look at this map of The Hol Chan marine Reserve

Zone 'A' is the rose, look how big the bush has to be to support it.
Acquiring the bush is going to be the problem!

All good points , but starting with the reef area , then let it grow to land acquisitions over time is I think better than nothing being done at all .

Of course, all the efforts are good but we can't fool ourselves into thinking the rose in a box will last.
The mangal in the afore reef at mexico rocks has been cleared of almost all of its mangrove already and that's what produces the fish for the reef crest that's visited, residential lots have been sold for development in its entire length, sea bed has been dredged and its being destroyed faster than you can say ,'lets form a committee!'

So if U can't have it all U say do nothing????

Nope I didn't say that, Take a look at the box drawn around the mexico rocks area by the latest effort to make a Reserve there,
http://ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthread...html#Post426415
why not make it include the 'Bush' so the rose will live?
It should include all the way back to the lagoon.
No one has the money to buy the wall of residential lots separating the rose from its roots but lets have a practical plan at least and not a false one. If its ever to be funded buy a big money group they certainly will be smart enough to see the reserve isn't sustainable with out it.
A no fishing sign won't make it a reserve it will have to be the whole Enchilada.
Lighthouse reef is a good example the Audubon Society kicked in millions but the didn't draw a box around the rookery of the endangered Boobys, they did the whole atoll, because its all a support system for the birds.
I'm not saying the whole island either , just a slice from front to back so that it will thrive.

Although what you describe is accurate to some extent the current plan is what is available to us. The intent is to create a biological corridor that will link protected areas either directly or in close proximity. With Bacalar Chico to the North and the planned reserves to the west and the Hol Chan to the south I think this has been achieved.

You are also correct that there is a long way to go but a first step must be taken before any positive conclusion can actually occur. The folks who have been working on this are dedicated to making it work and they are also very aware of the challenges that will be faced going forward.

It should also be noted that Hol Chan is currently run locally and has been doing well overall. The same management may be able to expand a little and cover the additional area which is relatively small.

In the end the only way this project and others like will be successful is to include the area residents and hope that they understand the need for these types of reserves and volunteer or donate to make them successful.

What can we sign you up for Elbert?

I wouldn't want you to think I'm in opposition, its a noble plan and good cause we need it and its not too late.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...iZDA5&pli=1
Extending Hol Chan management and staff responsibilities to include these areas sounds very practical.
Mexico Rocks needs help fast if its to be saved,the few mangroves remaining are still being cut and we have some commercial interprize currently camped out on the reef. Let me know when the next meeting is and I'll listen and look for an area we can help with.
https://sites.google.com/site/accsdbze/proposed-marine-protected-areas

Now that is the Can Do spirit I like to see.

I think that as the plan is pushed through the process we will have a better idea on a timeline.

This may be a stupid question but Zone B and C of Hol Chan Marine Reserve allow fishing. How does calling it a Marine Reserve help if you can still 'take' from there??

Not being a free for all

'It has been agreed that a Public consultation will be held on January 05, 2012 at the Lion’s Den at 6pm to present the concept paper to the local community for their input.'

Yes it would

I had a night dive last night and couldn't make the meeting. I would love to know how it went.

I was told it went well (I wasn't there either). About 50 people showed up and no one objected to the plans.

Thnx JZB; that sounds like a healthy number of folks. I hope the local fishermen and tour operators will actively participate; as much for the information as their input.

'was there last night...

Present were a good mix of folks from across the board, tour guides, etc... As JZD said, all present were in unanimous agreement that the establishment of all three areas would be of great benefit for the island as a whole. One interesting point illustrated was how the addition of the two marine reserves and Mata/Cayo Francis National Park, when viewed along with Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Bacalar Chico & the Corozol Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, would form a pretty continuous loop/route of protected areas around Ambergris Caye. It's a great step. Everyone with any interest on the island should applaud the efforts of all involved. Let's hope this can get presented to the cabinet sooner than later and that approval is just as quick.

Yes, lot's of issues and logistics to work out, but all projects like these start off with a first step and this step is a great one.

Excellent recap Jeff.

I have to say that I'm a big fan of multiple use areas in these kinds of preserves. I've seen total closure areas as applied in the ABC's particularly in Bonaire, an amazing marine reserve for sure and appropriate for that country but the mix of areas similar to what exists now in Hol Chan would allow some areas for fishing and total closure in others suits the nature of the Caye better than total closure (and infinitely more palatable I'm sure). You still get the benefit of the closed areas feeding the adajacent open areas within the overall reserve. Of course enforcemnt is key and I hope they can adequately fund the resources to do that.

We were there as well. My only concern was that a portion of the area was to be a "no take" zone, with areas on both sides of Mexico Rocks were supposed to be for "commercial fisherman" who purportedly already fish there. Now, that's a problem to me, but then I am not a park ranger. I am with the majority here that thinks that any time we can secure a "reserve" we should do it. I just think there might be some issues with the "lines" between the no take zone and the fishing area. Seems to be that would be hard to differentiate between the three separate areas.