witnessed yesterday at CC Marine Reserve
#221346
08/04/06 01:09 AM
08/04/06 01:09 AM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1
concerned guide
OP
Junior Member
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OP
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On Tues 2nd August: (and probably not the only time)
Five tour boats, guides and tourists harassing a manatee. The manatee was chased around and harassed by the guides and snorkelers. There were between 60 to 70 people in the water. The guide boats were right on top of the manatee area, and were from three well known Front Street operators.
The manatees come to the Northern Channel every year at breeding time. Allowing and encouraging tourists to chase these animals frightens them and will probably lead to a decline in their numbers. They are an endangered species and are protected in Belize. We are so lucky that they come to our island, and that we are able to get into the water with them at this location. Other manatee areas in Belize are more tightly patrolled, motors are not used and no one is allowed in the water with them. Perhaps it is time to do the same at the CC Marine Reserve?
Manatees are curious and intelligent animals and if you give them the time and space, they are likely to approach you. A manatee that does not do this is tired, probably frightened and has been chased by humans before. They have more right to be there than we do.
Tourists, please respect that you are a guest in the home of these animals. You are privileged to be able to see them in their natural environment, something that from many humans behaviour, is likely to not happen for much longer.
Guides, you should know better!
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Re: witnessed yesterday at CC Marine Reserve
#221349
08/04/06 04:49 PM
08/04/06 04:49 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,436 Caye Caulker
Cooper
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The snorkle boats will refer to this area as coral gardens, not to be confused with the coral gardens in front of Caye Caulker. If you go directly out from the north tip of Caye Caulker to the reef, their is a deep channel. I have seen the Manatee many times, had one swim right up to my face once, This spot is not patrolled and not a part of the marine reserve. That seems crazy in its self. With all the money that is collected in park fees why isnt this area a part of the park, and why isnt it patrolled? The manatee are their every year for several months.
LONELY PLANET SAYS TOURIST LOVE OUR ART. BEST PRICES ON ART.
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Re: witnessed yesterday at CC Marine Reserve
#221350
08/04/06 10:12 PM
08/04/06 10:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2
Carlos Miller
Junior Member
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(aka 'concerned guide')
Oops should have been 'North Channel', and the place is correctly identified by above posters.
It's a great idea to talk about patrolling the area, but CC Marine Reserve does already extend upto the North Channel, and it is broken up into 4 areas for different usage. Some areas are set aside specifically for commercial use, ie fishing, parts only for tourism, and others for scientific research. The North Channel is not normally patrolled because it is in the commercial area, and funds only allow patrolling of the tourist area.
Taking tourists outside the designated tourist area of the Reserve should put resonsibility on the Tour Guides, and they should be teaching their customers respect for the special aquatic life, and not allowing them to harass it, especially such a unique and endangered species.
[This message has been edited by Carlos Miller (edited 08-05-2006).]
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Re: witnessed yesterday at CC Marine Reserve
#221352
08/06/06 12:38 PM
08/06/06 12:38 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,436 Caye Caulker
Cooper
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You just have to wonder why depending on tour guides to be responsible never works in the long run. Dont get all defensive here. So far from what I see the Caye Caulker guides are great, doing a wonderful job, but Belize is just a youngster in the world of tourism. Hawaii, Australia, and many other fragile destinations have been ruined by the exploitation of tourist and guides. One would hope that we are all more aware now of how fragile nature is. That the world as a whole will protect these treasures. Many guides go out to the reef,from many places. some are only interested in the money, thankfully most are truly concerned with protecting their countries resources, but I would say that a bit more should be done than depending on the fact that the guides will all be responsible and educate folks, Shoulda ,woulda, coulda, and opps another dead reef!
LONELY PLANET SAYS TOURIST LOVE OUR ART. BEST PRICES ON ART.
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