Hol Chan Marine Reserve
| Hol Chan Marine Reserve | |
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IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
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Corals lining the Hol Chan Cut
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| Location | Gulf of Honduras, Belize |
| Nearest city | San Pedro Town |
| Coordinates | 17°52′08″N 88°00′11″W / 17.869°N 88.003°WCoordinates: 17°52′08″N 88°00′11″W / 17.869°N 88.003°W |
| Area | 18 km² (4,448 acres) |
| Established | 1987 |
| Visitors | 36,887 (in 2001) |
| Governing body | Hol Chan Marine Reserve Trust Fund Committee |
Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a marine reserve close to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, off the coast of Belize. It covers approximately 18 km² (4,448 acres) of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forest. Hol Chan is Mayan for "little channel".
In the early 1980s fish stocks in the area around Hol Chan began to dwindle and at the same time tourism to the Cayes began to increase. Disputes arose over access to the Hol Chan cut, a natural break in the reef, which was a productive fishing area but also popular with snorkelers and divers. Proposed fishing bans were rejected and in the mid 1980s public consultation over establishing a marine protected area began. Reserve status was also called for by international organizations such as the New York Zoological Society (NYZS) and Peace Corps, due to the unique formation of the channel, the abundant fishery resources (including conch and lobster) and the feasibility of including an interlinked system of coral reef, sea grass and mangrove habitats in this area.
Between 1985 and 1987, Janet Gibson worked to establish the a protected reserve campaigning with citizens, businesses, fishermen, and the government of Belize and educating them on the need for the project. In 1986, she wrote the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Draft Management Plan to develop the feasibility for the project. Based on environmentalist's efforts, the reserve was established in July 1987 with funding from WWF and USAID, after the draft management plan was approved by the Fisheries ministry and the local fishermen's co-operative. Active enforcement of the regulations began in 1989 and charging for entrance to Zone A started in 1990. The reserve was originally divided into three areas:
In 1999 the adjoining area of Shark Ray Alley was added as zone D of the reserve. This is a second charged snorkeling area, but commercial and sport fishing are permitted in some parts of this zone on obtaining a license.
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