Is Belize An Unrecognised Hot Spot For Whale Watching?

To help understand the marine environment around Belize and the jewels to be found in its waters, Marinelife, a UK based national marine conservation research charity, has instigated a marine research project around the Belize City coastline, due to commence in May 2007.

Clive Martin, Marinelife Director, Chairman and Senior Wildlife Officer, who will lead the research effort, said “Very little is known about the diversity of marine wildlife within the waters off Belize, yet it is known that there are some local marine wildlife based viewing trips in operation.”

Marinelife’s planned research has received special permission from the government of Belize, who have declared the region a marine protected area, an important move aimed at protecting the welfare of the marine ecosystem. The research will investigate whale and dolphin abundance within the region using standard survey protocols, the occurrence of other large marine species such as Whalesharks and the potential impact the local operators could be having on the wildlife occurring around the reef systems and in offshore waters.

Dr Tom Brereton, Marinelife Director and Chief Scientific Officer said “It is hoped that the planned research will help in the development of tourism protocols which will make the developing industry sustainable for the future welfare of both the local human and marine animal populations.”

Marinelife will be meeting with representatives of the Belize government with responsibility for fisheries during the research visit to reinforce the importance of maintaining the moratorium on commercial whaling which will once again be discussed at the forthcoming International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting. As a country with a large coastline and potential for a great diversity of marine wildlife, the Belize vote at the IWC meeting will be important to the future of Whales and Dolphins globally. The research conducted by Marinelife will help inform the government of the value of protecting this precious natural resource for their local economy.

For further information on Marinelife please contact Adrian Shephard, Public Relations & Publicity Officer, at adrian.shephard@marine-life.org.uk or visit the website at www.marine-life.org.uk.