Belize's Coral Restoration: A Fight To Save Reefs

Belize's barrier reef system is a 185-mile-long stretch of vibrant marine environments that support thousands of animal and plant species. It is also vital to the Belizean economy, contributing to 15% of the country's GDP and providing work for over 200,000 people. However, the Belize Barrier Reef is under threat from coral bleaching events linked to climate change, trawling, oil exploration, and natural disasters.

In 2001, Hurricane Iris devastated huge sections of the Belize Barrier Reef, reducing coral coverage in some areas from 50% to as low as 6%. This prompted marine biologist Lisa Carne to found Fragments of Hope, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to developing and maintaining coral nurseries. Through community-based conservation, Fragments of Hope has replanted over 85,000 corals in Laughing Bird Caye National Park alone, and over 160,000 corals nationwide.

In addition to community efforts, the Belizean government has implemented protective measures such as banning shrimp trawling, the use of gill nets, and offshore oil exploration. The government has also worked with scientists and grassroots organisations to tighten regulations, preserve mangrove habitats, and increase oversight of reef systems. These collective efforts have contributed to the recovery of the Belize Barrier Reef, making it one of the most successful coral restoration projects in the world.

Belize's barrier reef system is the subject of a recent study using NASA satellite data to assess the risk to coral reefs from higher temperatures and murky water

Belize's barrier reef system is a stunning natural wonder, but it is also under serious threat. In a recent study, researchers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and their counterparts in Belize assessed the vulnerability of the country's renowned coral reefs to bleaching and collapse. Using two decades of NASA satellite data, the scientists analysed the risks posed by higher temperatures and murky water, which can lead to coral bleaching and increase the risk of mortality.

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, stretches for 184 miles (298 kilometres) across the Mesoamerican Reef. It is the second-largest barrier reef system in the world and supports a diverse array of plant and animal species. The hard skeletons of stony coral form the structure of the barrier reef, keeping the coastal waters calm and providing an ideal environment for marine life to thrive. However, coral is highly dependent on clear water and consistent temperatures for its growth. Any changes in these factors can disrupt the symbiotic relationship with algae, leading to bleaching.

In the study, published in Frontiers in Remote Sensing, researchers ranked 24 marine protected areas off the Belize coast based on the risks posed by murky water and rising temperatures. They utilised data from MODIS, an instrument on NASA's Aqua satellite, to develop a vulnerability index. This index assigns a score from 2 to 12, with higher numbers indicating greater risk. Port Honduras Marine Reserve in southern Belize had the highest coral vulnerability score of 10 out of 12. Other areas flagged for concern include Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary, Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve, and Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

The findings of this study are crucial for Belize's Coastal Zone Management Plan, which aims to guide the government in supporting the sustainable use of the country's coastal areas. By providing a toolkit for determining water clarity and surface temperature, the research offers valuable insights to management authorities, enabling them to protect the reefs from human impacts such as development, overfishing, pollution, and climate change.

Belize has already taken significant steps to preserve its fragile coral reefs. In December 2015, the country banned offshore oil drilling within 1 km of the Barrier Reef. Additionally, Belize was the first country to completely ban bottom trawling in 2010. These measures demonstrate the country's commitment to safeguarding its marine resources for future generations.

Belize banned the harvesting of algae-eating parrotfish, which improved coral cover as parrotfish help corals grow and thrive by cleaning the reef of algae

Parrotfish are essential to the health of coral reefs. These colourful tropical fish spend about 90% of their day eating algae off coral reefs, cleaning them and helping corals stay healthy and thriving. They also create the white sand on beaches by breaking down coral bits in their digestive system, which includes teeth in their throats. This bioerosion process helps control algae populations and creates new surfaces for baby corals to attach to and grow.

Belize is home to the second-largest reef system in the world, which supports the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people in the fishing and tourism industries. However, the Belize Barrier Reef has been under threat from coral bleaching events linked to climate change, trawling, oil exploration, and natural disasters. In 2001, Hurricane Iris devastated huge sections of the reef, reducing coral coverage in some areas from an estimated 50% to just 6%.

To address this, the Belizean government implemented a long-term conservation plan, which included banning the harvesting of important fish species like the parrotfish and surgeonfish, and putting a moratorium on all oil exploration. These measures, along with community-based conservation efforts, have helped to improve coral coverage on the Belize Barrier Reef.

The work of Fragments of Hope, a non-profit organisation founded by marine biologist Lisa Carne, has been particularly impactful. Carne established coral nurseries to grow and transplant coral cuttings, with the help of local fishers and tour guides. As of 2024, Fragments of Hope has planted upwards of 85,000 fragments of coral in Laughing Bird Caye National Park alone, and the coral coverage in the park has increased from 6% to 50% between 2010 and 2017.

Belizeans are born connected to the water, and community-based programs and protective laws address local stressors to reduce vulnerability and build resiliency

Belizeans are born connected to the water. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest reef system in the world, stretching for 184 miles along the coast of Belize. It is home to hundreds of species of coral, fish, turtles, molluscs and marine mammals. The reef is vital to the Belizean economy, with the World Wildlife Fund estimating that the reef accounts for 15% of the country's GDP and provides work for upwards of 200,000 people in the fishing and tourism industries.

However, the Belize Barrier Reef is under threat from coral bleaching events linked to climate change, trawling, oil exploration, and natural disasters. In 2001, huge sections of the Belize Barrier Reef were devastated by Hurricane Iris, which reduced coral coverage in the area from an estimated 50% to a low of 6%.

Community-based programs and protective laws have been put in place to address local stressors, reduce vulnerability, and build resiliency. Here are some examples:

• In 2009, the Government of Belize passed a new set of regulations (Fisheries Regulations 2009) to protect overfished species, including a ban on the fishing of parrotfish. Parrotfish spend 90% of their day cleaning the reef of algae, ultimately helping corals grow and thrive.
• Fragments of Hope, a nonprofit organisation based in Placencia, has successfully replanted more than 86,000 corals at Laughing Bird Caye alone and more than 160,000 corals nationwide in over seven different marine protected areas.
• In 2012, 96% of voters supported the restoration and protection of reef systems in a public referendum. As a result, the government began working with scientists and grassroots and environmental organisations to tighten regulations, preserve mangrove habitats, and enact more oversight of reef systems.
• Belize is also collaborating with the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) to expand coral reef conservation work to Belize City and its surrounding areas. This includes setting the foundation for the construction of a wastewater treatment system in Caye Caulker, a small island off the coast of Belize City, to ensure coral reefs have the clean water they need.
• Belize is promoting sustainable tourism opportunities in and around Belize City to protect the area's natural resources and build a culture that prioritises the environment. This includes establishing a Destination Management Organisation, a locally managed entity that would oversee different aspects of the tourism destination and safeguard the area's natural and cultural heritage.
• Belize is also maintaining a regional water quality monitoring program, launched in 2020, to determine the impact of land-based pollution in high-tourism areas and identify areas that require wastewater and sanitation interventions.

Fragments of Hope, a nonprofit organisation, has replanted more than 86,000 corals at Laughing Bird Caye alone and over 160,000 corals nationwide

Fragments of Hope is a non-profit organisation founded by marine biologist Lisa Carne, who has dedicated her career to regenerating Belize's coral reefs. Carne first visited Belize in 1994, and after witnessing the destruction of the reefs by Hurricane Iris in 2001, she decided to focus her efforts on replanting coral. She founded Fragments of Hope, which established the first coral nurseries in Belize at Laughing Bird Caye and other sites.

The nurseries brought the reefs at Laughing Bird Caye back from the brink of extinction, with over 49,000 nursery-grown coral fragments replenished. Fragments of Hope also played a crucial role in raising public awareness, engaging local communities, and persuading the Belizean government to prioritise reef conservation.

To date, Fragments of Hope has replanted more than 86,000 corals at Laughing Bird Caye National Park alone, and over 160,000 corals nationwide in over seven different marine protected areas. This has been achieved through community-based conservation, with local tour guides, fishermen, divers, and snorkellers trained to plant and monitor coral development. The organisation also runs extensive outreach projects, providing educational resources to schools across Belize to raise awareness among the next generation.

The success of Fragments of Hope's efforts is evident, with Laughing Bird Caye National Park now boasting coral coverage of 60%, higher than before Hurricane Iris. The restored coral has become the foundation for a thriving marine ecosystem, attracting tourists who come to snorkel and dive with the abundant marine life. The organisation's work has been recognised internationally, receiving awards from the International Coral Reef Symposium and the UN Secretariat for Climate Change.

The restoration process involves collecting coral fragments and growing them in nurseries before transplanting them to the reefs. This method, known as micro-fragmentation, accelerates coral growth rates and has been key to the success of the project. The involvement of the local community, along with the scientific expertise and dedication of Lisa Carne, have been crucial factors in the positive impact of Fragments of Hope.

In a 2012 public referendum, 96% of voters supported the restoration and protection of reef systems, leading to increased government collaboration with scientists and environmental organisations

In 2012, Belize held a public referendum, in which 96% of voters supported the restoration and protection of reef systems. This led to increased collaboration between the government, scientists, and environmental organisations to protect the country's precious marine ecosystems.

Following the referendum, the government worked with UNESCO to develop and implement a long-term conservation plan. This plan included tightening regulations, preserving mangrove habitats, and increasing oversight of reef systems. Additionally, the government prioritised the protection of the country's mangroves and national parks through new regulations.

Belize's efforts to protect its coral reefs have been widely recognised. In 2018, UNESCO removed the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System from its List of World Heritage in Danger, acknowledging the country's successful conservation efforts.

The success of Belize's conservation initiatives demonstrates the importance of community engagement and collaboration between government, scientists, and environmental organisations. By working together, they were able to develop and implement effective strategies to protect and restore the country's fragile coral reefs.

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