Ambergris Caye Belize Resort Development - Department of ...

northeast corner of the National Park at the Belize/Mexico Boarder eastward to 600 meters
fathom outside the barrier reef, then southwest to the 600 meters fathom just south of Basil
Jones, then to the northwest until intersection with the coastline, and thereafter along the
coastline to the north eastern corner of the National Park.
The boundaries of the western Marine Reserve run from Santa Rita westward across the
Chetumal Bay to the south eastern corner of the Corozal Bay Manatee Wildlife Sanctuary, then
northward to the Belize/Mexico Boarder, then eastward along the Belize/Mexico Boarder to the
north western corner of the National Park, and thereafter southward along the coastline to Santa
Rita. Signs at key locations inform users as to the boundaries of the National Park and Marine
Reserve. The marine reserve spans coastal waters, which include the northernmost portion of the
Belize Barrier Reef and the northernmost portion of the Barrier Reef Lagoon on the east, and a
portion of Corozal - Chetumal Bay on the west.
Statutory Instruments 68 established the zones and regulations for the Bacalar Chico Marine
Reserve. The legislative basis for conservation of marine resources within the Bacalar Chico
Marine Reserve is defined by Statutory Instrument 136 of 2001.
3.1.15 Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve Regulations Chap 210/2003 (& 68/2001)
Under the Fisheries (Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve) Regulations, Part II established zones and
rules for the four zones within the marine reserve. These include, the General Use Zone, the
Conservation Zones I and II and the Preservation Zone for Rules for the General Use. The
following includes rules for the various zones and activities permitted or not permitted within the
marine reserve.
3.1.15.1 Rules for the General Use Zone Part II (4) 1 – 9
(1) The General Use Zone shall be restricted for fishing only by fishermen who currently use this
zone and such fishermen shall apply for a license in accordance with the regulations;
(2) Only residents of the Bacalar Chico who have special license shall be allowed to fish solely
for subsistence purposes and such fishing shall be determined by the terms and conditions of
each resident’s license;
(3) No person shall be permitted to use long lines, spear guns, or gill nets in the BCMR;
(4) No person shall be permitted to use or erect beach traps other than beach traps that have been
there before 1996;
(5) No traps shall be constructed with seine, cast nets, gill nets, trammel nets or tangle nets;
(6) Nets may only be used to round up the fish within the beach trap;
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