South Water Caye Marine Reserve
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Where it is
Coordinates: 16°49′08″N 88°05′02″W (16.8190, -88.0840) · Open in OpenStreetMap
Coordinates and connected clubs: the infobox of Wikipedia: South Water Caye Marine Reserve (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map: drawn by Codexery from OpenStreetMap tiles.
South Water Caye Marine Reserve is the second largest marine reserve in Belize, designated in 1996 by the Belize Fisheries Department, which manages it. It covers 117,875 acres (47,702 ha) of mangrove and coastal ecosystems in Stann Creek District and is part of the Belize Barrier Reef System, a World Heritage Site designated in 1996. The reserve is classified as an IV Habitat/Species Management Area.
Background
The reserve lies on the inner side of the Belize Barrier Reef, 18 kilometers (11 miles) or between 8 to 25 kilometers (5.0 to 15.5 miles) off the coast of mainland Belize, and is over 40 kilometers (25 miles) long. It includes ecologically important mangrove cayes such as Pelican Cayes—considered 'one of the most biodiverse marine systems within the western hemisphere'—Twin Cayes, and Man-O-War Caye, which was previously designated a Crown Reserve in 1977. Some privately owned cayes are not part of the reserve.
The reserve provides habitat for at least 24 species that are vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered: five coral species, three turtle species, 15 fish species, and the West Indian manatee. While many cayes are dominated by mangroves, some have shrub and coconut vegetation. Significant Maya sites have been found within the reserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is South Water Caye Marine Reserve?
It is a protected marine area in Belize encompassing roughly 117,875 acres of mangrove and coastal habitats. Officially established in 1996, it stands as the country's second-largest marine reserve.
Where is South Water Caye Marine Reserve located?
The reserve lies within Stann Creek District along Belize's coastline. It is also a component of the Belize Barrier Reef System, which received UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1996.
Who manages South Water Caye Marine Reserve?
The Belize Fisheries Department oversees the reserve's day-to-day protection and operations. That same department was the body responsible for designating the area back in 1996.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: South Water Caye Marine Reserve (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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