Southern Environmental Association takes a practical, hands–on approach to conservation and management of much of the Southern Barrier Reef Complex including Laughing Bird Caye National Park (LBCNP) and Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve (GSSCMR).
E-mail: contact@belizemangrovealliance.org | Phone: +501-605-6569
Southern Environmental Association
Contact
Rina Miss
E-mail: rhinamiss@gmail.com
Tel: (501) 626-4278
Office: Placencia Village, Stann Creek District
Website: www.seabelize.bz
Protection
Mangrove Species: Mangrove ecosystems generally
Location: Laughing Bird Caye National Park, Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve
Land Tenure: National Protected Areas
Restoration
Mangrove Species: Mangrove ecosystems generally
Restoration Site: Community lands
Sectors Engaged: Village Leaders, Environmental Groups, Youths
Mangrove Species: Mangrove ecosystems generally
Restoration Site: Community lands
Sectors to be Engaged: Village Leaders, Environmental Groups, Youths
Outreach
Mangrove Species: Mangrove ecosystems generally
Location: SEA’s8 stakeholder communities (Placencia, Hopkins, Independence, Seine Bight, Punta Gorda, Sittee River, Monkey River) educational institutions
Mangrove Species: Mangrove ecosystems generally
Location: Placencia Peninsula, the 8 stakeholder communities (Placencia, Hopkins, Independence, Seine Bight, Punta Gorda, Sittee and Dangriga
Target Audience: Village Leaders, Environmental Groups, Youth, Tourism Sector, Fishing Sector
LAUGHING BIRD CAYE NATIONAL PARK
Laughing Bird Caye National Park was first declared in 1991 at the request of local tour guides, to protect this important local tourism resource, supporting the local tourism industry. It was expanded to encompass the Laughing Bird faro in 1996, and is managed under the authority of the Forest Department by the Southern Environmental Association.
The National Park is one of seven protected areas that form Belize’s World Heritage Site. It is a no-take area, providing an important replenishment zone for commercial marine species. The caye itself supports a stand of littoral forest and mangroves. Following its designation as a National Park, the caye has been zoned to allow regeneration of the northern end to natural vegetation, promoting a natural herbaceous beach vegetation, with some littoral forest components, whilst the southern portion is maintained for visitor use. Regeneration of natural vegetation is encouraged on as much of the island as possible, protecting the caye from the impacts of erosion, and providing an ideal environment for nesting hawksbill turtles and an important stopover point for migratory birds.
GLADDEN SPIT AND SILK CAYES MARINE RESERVE
Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve (GSSCMR) was established in 2000 to protect the some of the best formed examples of barrier reef in Belize – including the regionally important spawning aggregation site at the Gladden Spit elbow.
The Marine Reserve is part of Belize’s World Heritage Site, and is known internationally for the whale sharks that visit the spawning aggregation site at full moon, drawing visitors to the area.
The Silk Cayes, three sand cayes that are located within the Conservation Zone of the Marine Reserve, support littoral forest vegetation, though are being impacted by tourism pressure, with the demand for sandy beaches. The cayes are fragile, and are easily destabilized by the removal of the beach vegetation, changing in size and shape with every storm. The above and below ground structure of littoral forest /herbaceous beach vegetation is important in providing protection against the potentially massive beach erosion by tropical storm events.