Ambergris Caye Belize Resort Development - Department of ...

zone are to prevent fishery stocks from overexploitation by commercial fishing and to enhance
the value of the area for recreational and tourism activities. The key enforcement and monitoring
needs of the zone include monitoring of catch and gear use, and recreational and tourism impacts
(Fig. 9.7).
Preservation Zone (PZ) is closed to visitors, including researchers except under special
permission. This zone includes fragile patch reefs, back reef, reef crest and fore reef areas, which
comprise important habitats for commercial species such as the Queen Conch and Spiny Lobster.
Human impact on this zone has been intense due to easy accessibility and the shallow back reef
area, and its zoning protection has consequently been designed to restore the area to its original
condition over time (Fig. 9.7).
The key objectives of the zones are to preserve an area within the BCMR in an entirely natural
state, to protect the areas habitat and threatened/rare species. The key enforcement and
monitoring needs of the zone concern the reduction of illegal usage by Mexican visitors, which
the area is vulnerable to as a result of its proximity to Belize/Mexico border.
9.14.1.2 The Terrestrial Component
The Boca Bacalar Chico National Park lands consist of Crown Lands held by the GOB and
Private Lands held by independent title. Approximately 80 % of the National Park consists of
Crown Lands acquired in 1990 by the GOB from the former Pinkerton Estate. Approximately 20
% of the National Park is within private lands that were titled prior to designation and are held as
one parcel at San Juan on the west (where BCNP/MR headquarters are located) and as several
parcels along the entire shoreline on the eastern side of the BCNP.
The seabed (defined as the land extending seawards from the high water mark of ordinary tides)
is National Land owned by the Government of Belize under the authority of the National Lands
Act (Laws of Belize Chapter 191, Revised 2000). Under Crown Land Rules (Statutory Rules and
Orders 66 of 1939), a 66 ft wide strip of land along all water frontages, measured from high
water mark, is designated as public easement, but lands titles prior to 1930 included the land to
the high water mark and in some cases, below the high water mark.
The area of the proposed development site and associated tourism activities borders both the
BCNP and the BCMR. As is noted from designated zoning within the BCNP/MR, all
development and tourism activities to be undertaken will need to follow the management
objectives of the reserves.
9.14.2 Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Hol Chan Marine Reserve is made up of 18.13 km2 of nationally owned land and seabed, the
latter comprising over 90% of the total area. It includes the seabed, seven small mangrove
islands, and a narrow strip of mangrove forest on the southern tip of Ambergris Caye (Fig 9.8).
The Fisheries Regulations 1977 shall apply within the Reserve.
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