Enforcement the Protection fo Turneffe Atoll

Policing of protected areas is essential and will require at least two “Rangers”.  Funding for this will have to come from some source other than the Government of Belize.  This will include salaries for 2 or 3, housing, boats, fuel and equipment.

Enforcement-Actions in Process:

1. The Department of Fisheries currently patrols the Turneffe Atoll, however, they have only 2 or 3 boats to patrol all of coastal Belize. For obvious reasons, this is not effective.
2. Recently, two small Marine Reserves have been established at Nassau Grouper aggregation areas around Turneffe.
3. Boats from the fishing lodges on the Atoll report irregularities to the Fisheries Department.

 
Enforcement-Future Actions:

1. Funding must be provided for “Rangers” to regularly patrol the Atoll.  This will require boats, engines, fuel and lodging. Estimated cost $30,000 per year.