Coral reefs are the most biologically diverse and productive ecosystems in the world. Our economy from tourism, fishing, and recreation depends to a great extent on healthy coral ecosystems. They provide an irrreplaceable breeding ground for all types of marine life. Although coral covers just 0.2% of the world's oceans, they provide habitats for 1/3 of all marine species, a valuable source of protein, and a livelihood for many coastal communities.

Coral reefs are highly associated with mangrove and seagrass ecosystems, protecting our shorelines by reducing storm impact and erosion from waves. The rich biodiversity of these ecosystems also provides pure aesthetic and spiritual values to our communities.

As coastal development, rising population densities, increased fishing and agricultural and industrial activities stress these fragile coral reef systems, Marine Protected Areas (such as Laughing Bird Caye National Park and Gladden Spit & Silk Cayes Marine Reserve) ensure that a system is in place to monitor and manage marine resources in a way that will sustain the activities that rely on these resources.

Friends of Nature Belize is constantly coordinationg with other regional and international organizations to monitor and manage marine resources in a standardized manner that will facilitate best decision-making practices by stakeholders.

Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) Synoptic Monitoring Program

The MBRS Regional Synoptic Program (SMP) monitors changes in ecosystem health for management purposes, including specific techniques on monitoring corals, reef fish, seagrass beds, and mangroves. This protocal has been adopted by Belize, Mexico, Guatamala and Honduras.

Several Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Belize are considered priority sites in Mesoamerica and have thus adopted this monitoring protocol. Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve are MRBS priority areas at which 10 sites have been designated permanent monitoring sites, where coral and reef fish MRBS protocol will be implemented. Laughing Bird Caye National Park is a potential priority, with two possible MBRS sites. These sites are representative of deep (8-15 m) and shallow fore reef (1-5 m) and shallow back reef (1-5 m) areas.

Currently MBRS data is being collected from these locations and entered into the Regional Environmental Information System (REIS), a web database, for regional analysis of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.

The then-Presidents of Mexico, Vincent Fox Quezada; Guatamala, Oscar Berger Perdomo; Honduras, Manuel Zeleya Rosales; and then-Prime Minister of Belize, Said Musa, signed an important agreement for the Renewal of Commitment to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, on July 11, 2006 in Panama. This agreement reaffirms the countries' commitments to the MBRS with the primary objective of continuing the conservation of these unique and ecologically vulnerable coastal and marine ecosystems.