gladden spit silk cayes marine - Southern Environmental Association

GLADDEN SPIT SILK CAYES MARINE RESERVE
The Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve
(GSSCMR) was declared in 2000. The Reserve was
declared, in part, due to the importance of
Gladden Spit as a site for fish spawning aggregations,
which regularly attracts whale sharks during the
months of April- June, making it a popular tourist
destination.
The marine reserve is a multi-use zoned Marine
Protected Area, allowing for tourism as well as
commercial fishing. Gladden Spit lies about 36km off
the coast of Placencia Village, which sits at the tip of
a long peninsula, the only long sandbar in Belize.
The Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve
comprises of nearly 11,000 hectares (26,000 acres).
SEA is responsible for the day to day management
of this reserve. SEA, working closely with
the Belize Fisheries Department, continues to ensure
effective enforcement, biological monitoring
and general management of this unique and important
natural site.
Photo by: Annelise Hagan
PARK RULES:
Park entrance fees apply year round, while the
whale shark fees is applied 1 March to 31 July
for entering the whale shark zone.
Any person who wishes to conduct whale shark
tours must have a valid tour guide
license, dive master certification (for SCUBA),
skin diver certification (for snorkelers) and a
whale shark license issued by SEA.
Any person engaging in a whale shark tour
must abide by the Whale Shark Regulations
and Guidelines
* Do not touch, walk on or damage the reef.
* Take your garbage with you.
Dive, snorkel and fishing boats should
maintain a distance of at least 200 feet
between each other.
* No gloves or fishing are allowed when
SCUBA diving.
* No destruction of natural habitat.
* No anchoring on coral reefs.
* No net fishing.
* No spear fishing.
All boats must use the mooring buoys where
provided.
* Read and abide by all regulations of the
protected area.
All local Fisheries, Wildlife, Forestry,
Tourism, and Archeological Laws apply.