Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Cooperatives, Hon. Daniel Silva officially signed into law the Bacalar Chico
Marine Reserve and National Park Statutory Instrument (SI) last Thursday. Years
ago, zoning was proposed for designated areas inside this marine
reserve/national park to be used for a specific purpose in order to preserve
this national treasure, designated a World Heritage Site in 1997. World Heritage
Sites are chosen based on certain criteria, such as having a high degree of
bio-diversity, and are usually afforded total protection from environmental
degradation. According to sources at the Fisheries
Department, now that the SI has been signed into effect, these zones can now be
monitored, and activities controlled and enforced within their boundaries by
Bacalar Chico park rangers. The zones listed are: 1) Preservation Zone - an area
of the marine reserve along the border with Mexico that runs east to the reef
and then south, which has been set aside specifically for research. No fishing
or recreational activities are permitted here. 2) Conservation Zone I will
function as a recreational area. 3) Conservation Zone II will be used as a
"catch and release" fishing area. 4) General Use Zone exclusively for fishing
(no gill nets or spear fishing allowed). 5) Seasonal Closure Zone - an area
designated for the spawning and aggregation of grouper fish.
Joining Minister Silva at the signing of the SI were
representatives of Fisheries Department, Bacalar Chico staff and Advisory
Committee, the Northern Fisherman's Cooperative and various non-governmental
organizations.
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