The Sapodilla Cays Marine Reserve is a situated at the very Southern end of the Belize Barrier Reef system, a World Heritage Site. Within the boundaries of the Marine Reserve are eight unique and beautiful islands. Five of these islands are tourism sites, and one, Hunting Cay, houses the reserve center. The other islands are currently held under private lease from the Government of Belize (GOB).
The Marine Reserve was declared in 1996. A co-management team , is actively undertaking the responsibility for day to day management and development of the reserve. The Department of Fisheries and the NGO, Toledo Association for Sustainable Tourism and Empowerment (TASTE) are the co-managers of the Reserve. All policies for management are the purview of the LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE – The SCMR Advisory Committee, is a body of fifteen local participants and stakeholders.
The management of the reserve is guided by a management plan. The main areas of operational activity are:
Threat Abatement Scientific Research
Environmental Education Administration
Patrols/Monitoring Fisheries Laws Implementation
Tourism Infrastructure and Support Communication
Funding and Financial Support
-management team is seeking support for all aspects of the project.
The Co
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Management Plan upgrade |
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Infrastructure |
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Patrols/Monitoring |
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Equipment |
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Environmental Education |
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Program Support |
Tourism in the Marine Reserve is well developed. Two islands, Hunting Cay and Lime Cay are used throughout the year for major camping expeditions from out of Guatemala. The SCMR Advisory Committee visited the site's to observe this activity and wrote a report with some recommendations for follow up. Projects have been written under these recommendations for upgrading the tourism infrastructure so that improved all year round services may be offered. The upgraded management plan will specify site capacities and their implementation.
Without doubt, SCMR sustainability will come from
eco-tourism. Private tourism development is happening on Lime Caye , Nicolas Caye , Frank’s Caye and Seal Caye. Tom Owens is very small and not suitable for development of any kind. Northeast Caye is the last remaining island with any wilderness on it. Zoning in the upgraded management plan will make North East caye a preservation zone. Tom Owens Caye will come under a special management area designation. TASTE/SCMR
is creating a "Friends of the SCMR" program to raise funds for
the management and protection of the reserve. 
If you would be interested in visiting the SCMR please communicate your interest. We can arrange your trip to suit your pleasure. We are in touch with local tour operators, tour guides, hotel owners, resort owners. supplies, etc.
All communication can go direct to our email: taste_scmr@btl.net
Or to:
TASTE
PO Box 18 Punta Gorda Town
Toledo, Belize Central America
International 011-501-722-0191
Fax/Tel 011-501-722-2070
In order to rebuild the SCMR to our stated vision ,(that the SCMR return to it's known former bio-diversity and health as experienced by living stake holders of 25 to 30 years ago) we are inviting all interested people to share with us.
Sapodilla Cays Marine Reserve (SCMR)
Department of Fisheries, Government of Belize (GOB)
P.O Box 148 Belize City, Belize
Email: species@btl.net
Toledo Association for Sustainable Tourism and Empowerment (TASTE) will soon be able to post a copy of the TASTE Strategic plan for the SCMR and a copy of the management plan, please email us at: taste_scmr@btl.net
Street address
P.O. Box 18, Punta Gorda, Belize, Central America
Electronic mail address
taste_scmr@btl.net
Phone
011-501-722-0191
Phone/Fax number in Belize
722-2070
Co-managing with Belize Department of Fisheries
(Toledo Association for Sustainable Tourism)
TASTE | Mangrove Planting | Co-Management | Friends of the SCMR
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