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SACD Annual Report 2012

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SACD ANNUAL REPORT 2012

INCORPORATING THE 2012

STATE OF THE PARK REPORT FOR

COROZAL BAY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

SACD Sarteneja Alliance for

Conservation and Development

2012 Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation & Development


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Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary


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S A R T E N E J A A L L I A N C E F O R C O N S E R VA T I O N & D E V E L O P M E N T A N N U A L R E P O R T

Table of Contents

Welcome 4

Executive Statement 5

Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development 7

Natural Resource Management Program 9

Surveillance and Enforcement 9

Research and Monitoring Program 12

State of Biodiversity 12

West Indian Manatee 13

Commercial Fish Species 15

Mangroves and Coastal Ecosystems 18

The Estuarine Environment 20

Education and Outreach Program 25

Volunteer and Internship Programme (VIP) 25

Education and Outreach Calendar of Activities, 2012 25

SACD Scholarship Programme 30

Sustainable Development Program 33

Alternatives for Local Fishermen 33

Sarteneja Homestay Group – SACD Microloan Programme 34

Women’s Craft Workshop 35

Administration Program 36

Capacity Building 36

Accounting and Transparency 37

Expenditure Breakdown – by Expense Category 37

Financial Report 38

Annual Report layout: Wildtracks


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Welcome

Message from the President of the Board of Directors

When it comes to the natural beauty of the Corozal Bay Wildlife

Sanctuary, the rich biodiversity speaks for itself. Each component

lends a delicate attribution to the beauty we boast of. However,

much care and attention is needed to the conservation of each

part so that we can pass on our pride to future generations and

so that our visitors and friends can share our appreciation for the

beautiful gifts Mother Nature has blessed us with.

Thus, to the stakeholders, this bay means so much more than just

beauty and biodiversity. It is a true mark of our history, our

heritage, our present story and our dream for the future. Clearly, a balance is necessary for this dream

to be accomplished. Hence, since its inception SACD has challenged the possibilities for sustainable use

of the CBWS through our program areas of Sustainable Development, Communication & Collaboration,

Natural Resource Management, Research & Monitoring, Education & Outreach, and Administration.

Among the highlights for 2012 was the development of the 2012 -2017 strategic plan, the expansion of

our Volunteer and Internship (VIP) and scholarship programs, the development of baselines for our

research and monitoring plan, the presence of a full time patrol team, and alternative livelihood options

for our local fishermen. In addition, our staff attended various professional development courses

throughout the year that boosted their performance and abilities - a plus for our Alliance. In addition, in

November, I was appointed, as a representative of SACD, as a member on the Board of Directors of the

Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), representing Community Based Organizations (CBO's). This

complements our commitment to preserving the natural resources of our precious Belize.

Nevertheless, there is still so much to accomplish and no time to waste. Thanks to the generosity and

trust embedded in us by our partners and funders, the commitment of our Board of Directors and the

tremendous dedication and performance of our team – staff and volunteers alike - the Alliance is proud

to present a year of growth and increased strength through its accomplishments. As we close this year,

we look forward to embarking on an even more enthusiastic journey to address our protected area’s

needs in alignment with our community’s participation, and strengthening of our financial sustainability,

through our upcoming program activities for 2013.

Welcome, friends, to SACD – working together towards common goals.

Carolie Verde

Board President, Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development


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Executive Statement

Since its establishment in September of 2008, the Sarteneja

Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD) has

celebrated many successes and its growth has presented new

challenges. This year, marks two years of my services to the

organization as the Executive Director and I am proud to

introduce our accomplishments for the year. SACD has

continued its role in north Belize as an active promoter of

conservation and sustainable development, integrating the

consideration of the values and traditions of the people who

depend on the resources into all aspects of planning. This

has been demonstrated by the active participation of the

members of the Board of Directors, composed of leaders of community groups and local resource users,

who have maintained and strengthened the Alliance over the past four years.

It is no secret that CBO's and NGO's face great challenges in securing funding for operational-related

expenditures for effective management of Belize's natural resources. Despite this, SACD has maintained

five full time personnel (the Executive Director, Head Ranger, two Assistant Rangers and the Office

Manager), and one part time Education Officer throughout 2012, and continued to have the on-going

support of a Peace Corps Volunteer. I want to recognize the invaluable work and dedication that every

staff member, Board member, volunteer and community member has contributed to the management

of Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and the operations of SACD. All the accomplishments highlighted here

would not have been possible without the support of these people, and without the assistance of our

funding partners for 2012 – OAK Foundation, PACT and COMPACT.

Under the Natural Resource Management Programme, we entered the year by establishing a full time

presence in Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, with active patrols throughout 2012, and key equipment

purchase, complemented by the donation of a Yamaha 100 HP 4-stroke outboard motor. This, combined

with the hiring of two patrol rangers, further strengthening the Patrol Unit, provided greater stability

and supportive infrastructure for key personnel within the organization.

We also completed our 2012 - 2017 Strategic Plan, which highlights key priority areas for the

improvement of management effectiveness. The process was highly participatory, with Alliance

members and staff all playing enthusiastic roles in the planning workshops. Before the year had ended,

we had already completed the highest priority action – signing of a formal, five year co-management

agreement with Forest Department, on the 22nd November, 2012.

Understanding the importance of engaging and working closely with the primary resource users of the

protected area, SACD focused on mechanisms to further engage local fishermen. Beach trap fishermen

participated in on-site catch data collection during the trap season, assisting SACD in developing a


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baseline towards a more sustainable fishery in the Wildlife Sanctuary. SACD also worked closely with

them in identifying and implementing a small scale alternative livelihood project focused on back yard

chicken farming, which has proved very successful

SACD is also very aware of the importance of engaging the youths of the community – the next

generation of resource users. As part of its Education and Outreach Programme, SACD implemented a

series of events to increase community awareness of the organization and its conservation role and

engagement. It continued strengthening the Volunteer and Internship Programme (VIP), providing

monthly conservation activities for seventeen VIP upper primary students. In 2012, SACD also supported

sixteen scholarship students, each on four-year scholarships, to encourage continued education at the

high school level for students showing promise as conservation leaders within the community.

During 2012, the first steps were taken to establish the Research and Monitoring Programme, focused

on the development of baselines for priority conservation targets – the West Indian manatee,

commercial fish species, mangroves and coastal ecosystems, and water quality. Working in collaboration

with its research / monitoring partners - Wildtracks, Blue Ventures and Dr. Carillo of ECOSUR - to

establish an effective transboundary water quality programme, SACD is developing an understanding of

the physical environment of CBWS, identifying the seasonal fluctuations in the water parameters that

drive changes in other targets – triggering snapper migrations, manatee resource use and seagrass

extent and health. The 2011/2012 baseline status, impacts, monitoring protocols and recommendations

for the CBWS conservation targets have been documented, and baseline coastal ecosystem mapping,

sustainable fishery and manatee conservation planning completed. Results were integrated into the

Research and Monitoring Plan, currently in final review, and recommendations identified for

strengthening conservation strategies for greater management effectiveness of these targets. Three

baseline reports were produced during the year - Planning for a Sustainable Fishery, the Corozal Bay

Wildlife Sanctuary Coastal Mapping report, and the Conservation Plan: West Indian manatee of

Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. SACD has also been integrating capacity building of the rangers and two

SACD Sixth Form graduate interns (Noe Verde and Jamilee Cruz) throughout the monitoring activities

implemented under this program.

To end, I want to acknowledge those who have believed in SACD, both in the community, our Alliance

partners, and our national conservation partners; those who have supported us through this past year;

and those organizations that have provided funding to support the work we do. I feel I can be proud of

what my team – administration, rangers, and volunteers - have achieved in 2012, and hope that you will

continue to support their work as SACD grows in future years.

Enjoy the report!

Joel Verde

Executive Director,

Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development


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Establishment

The Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development

(SACD) has been operating since 2007, and is dedicated to

improving the quality of life of the stakeholder communities of

Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary through conservation, outreach,

protected area management activities, and promotion of the

sustainable use of the natural resources. SACD is a community

based organization, located in Sarteneja, Corozal District, and

was registered as a non-profit organization on September 2008,

under the Companies Act. SACD signed a four-year co-

management agreement with the Forest Department for management of the Wildlife Sanctuary on 22nd

November, 2012

SACD provides a mechanism for effective communication, collaboration and networking between

local individuals, associations and organizations in Sarteneja. It has a structured Executive Board

composed of representatives from the Sarteneja Tour Guide Association, Sarteneja Fishermen

Association, local fishing, education and tourism/business sectors, and local NGOs which, together, form

the Alliance.

Vision

“SACD is an effective alliance of organizations focused on community development and the sustainable

resource use of the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary’s resources for the benefit of the present and future

generations of Sartenejeños.

Mission

“The Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development is a community-orientated, non-profit

organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of Sartenejeños through strengthening

mechanisms for collaboration, support and community engagement, and the promotion of the

sustainable use of the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.”

SACD Goal

“..bringing people

together to promote

conservation and

sustainable development.”

Carolie Verde (President)

Erlindo Novelo (Treasurer)

Zoe Walker (Secretary)

Evanier Cruz (Board Member)

Cesar Muñoz (Board Member)

Timoteo Cruz (Board Member)

Heron Moreno (Board Member)

SA

CD

Boa

rd o

f Dire

ctor

s


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Alliance Partners

The following organizations / community components sit on the Board of Directors

Sarteneja Tour Guide Association (STGA). Promotes Sarteneja as a tourism destination,

providing opportunities for alternative livelihoods for local fishermen in the tourism

industry. Represents and supports Sarteneja’s tour guides and liaises with Belize Tourism

Board and Belize Tourism Industry Association.

Sarteneja Fishermen Association (SFA). Represents Sarteneja fishermen. Provides

opportunities for diversified income generation through alternatives for fishermen in

Sarteneja, a key stakeholder of the Belize Barrier Reef.

Wildtracks. Works towards the sustainable future of the natural resources of Belize,

through conservation, research, education and sustainable development.

Shipstern Nature Reserve (SNR). Protects 26,000 acres of forest and mangrove in north

east Belize.

Education Sector. Representatives from all schools in Sarteneja sit on the SACD Education Committee,

providing input to guide activities of the SACD Volunteer and internship Programme (VIP) and assisting

with the SACD Scholarship Programme.

Local Fishermen. Traditional fishermen dependent on the marine resources of Corozal Bay Wildlife

Sanctuary.

Local Business. Hotels and restaurants have representation on the Board.

SACD Partners: SACD has a close partnership with Blue Ventures, an

international, marine-based organization founded in 2003 that works

with local communities to conserve threatened marine ecosystems and

coastal livelihoods. Blue Ventures first partnered with SACD in 2010,

and since then has assisted the organization in several of its monitoring

activities. The Blue Venture groups also provide a significant input to

the economy of Sarteneja, with volunteers staying with local families

participating in the Homestay Programme.

Particular thanks go to the Blue Ventures Country Coordinator, Jen

Chapman, for her invaluable input into strengthening the SACD

Research and

Monitoring

Programme.


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Natural Resource Management Program

Surveillance and Enforcement

In 2012, SACD established a Surveillance and Enforcement

team of three park rangers, which actively patrolled the

Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary (CBWS) against threats to the

system. The team conducted over 130 patrols, strengthened

by the provision of a Yamaha 100hp 4-stroke outboard,

donated by the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT).

The new outboard replaced the older, 2-stroke outboard

previously used, increasing fuel efficiency whilst reducing

SACD’s carbon footprint. The addition of a boat ramp also

assisted in ease and speed of boat deployment.

Park rangers focused on monitoring legal and illegal fishing by

checking boats, fishing licenses, nets and fish catch. They also

prevented illegal activities taking place in the Bay, including

removing un-manned and illegally placed nets and reporting

un-permitted dredging.

During the patrols, the team explored the creeks with kayaks

in order to find illegal fisherman hiding in the creek systems.

The fishermen are believed to hide in the creek systems

whenever they hear the noise of the engine or see a patrol

boat coming. However, most of the creeks end in a lagoon

system which has a vast amount of space and hiding ground

for the fishermen. Using the three-strike system, first time

warnings were given to fishermen for possession of permit and

shark within the Wildlife Sanctuary.

The rangers worked closely with the local fishermen, mapping

the beach traps that currently exists in CBWS. This map

provides baseline information, with agreement with the

fishermen that SACD will not permit any more fish traps within

the Sanctuary.

As part of the patrol activities, rangers also reported on

opportunisitic sightings of marine species – particularly

manatees, dolphins, sharks and turtles. Several groups of

dolphins (all common bottlenose dolphins - Tursiops

truncatus), were seen in multiple patrols, appearing unafraid of


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boats. The rangers observed the dolphins exhibiting impressive

hunting skills. When a group of dolphin found a school of fish

they would swim in a circular arrangement in order to distract

the fish, so that they became easier targets. This was also

observed during one of the aerial surveys, with dolphins kicking

up circular mud walls in the clear water with their tails.

Manatees were also frequently observed, particularly in areas

adjacent to the manatee holes on the East Coast. A healthy ray

population inhabits the shallow coastal and lagoon areas. Rays

known to be in the area include the southern stingrays

(Dasyatis americana), longnose stingrays (Dasyatis guttata) and

Caribbean whiptail stingray (Himantura schmardae). Green

turtles have also been seen and a nurse shark was reported

from the Spanish Point Creek.

The three-man ranger team, working in collaboration with

Wildtracks and Blue Ventures volunteers, provided support for

the Research and Monitoring programme. They assisted with

the monitoring of bird nesting colonies, mapped and assessed

coastal ecosystems, and surveyed the manatee resting holes.

The ranger team also partnered with the Belize Shark Project

under the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Mr. Hilmar

Salazar, the WCS community coordinator, trained SACD

rangers how to assemble and deploy the Baited Remote

Underwater Videos (BRUV) for the shark surveys. Each BRUV

was set with bait for one hour in order to attract sharks to

capture video data within the Wildlife Sanctuary. The team

also conducted transects, swimming in a straight line through

the water, to count sharks, ray and turtle species. The

different species of rays and turtles were identified according

to their common and scientific names.

Finally, the rangers participated in Conservation Action Planning

for manatees within the Wildlife Sanctuary, sharing their

knowledge with the planning group, particularly on threats and

threat levels within the area. They also assisted the SACD

Education Officer in conducting a site visit to Cayo Falso for the

Sarteneja Baptist High School Environment Club. They

explained to the students the national importance of Cayo Falso

as an important large, mixed species bird nesting colony. They

also emphasized the functionality of the extensive mangroves in


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the area and their importance for fish communities as nursery grounds and for providing structural

support for nesting colonies.

Meet the SACD Rangers

My name is Leomir Santoya, I am 23 years old and live in Sarteneja Village.

I graduated from Muffles Junior College in 2009 with an Associate Degree in

Science with majors in Biology and Environmental Science. While I was

studying at Muffles Junior College, I volunteered with Shipstern Nature

Reserve, with the Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development. At

Shipstern I participated in various activities such as surveys and research. As

part of the SACD volunteers, I worked with Mr. Marcelo Cruz, the Head

Ranger, in mangrove survey activities in the coastal areas of Sarteneja

Village.

As a volunteer, I started to get involved in conservation activities and environmental awareness. In

2011, I was hired by SACD as an Assistant Ranger, and I committed myself to working with SACD,

sharing the knowledge I had gained during my Associated Degree and the trainings from the Fisheries

Department in First Aid, Rope Knots, and Fire Fighting at sea. Now as a Park Ranger of Corozal Bay

Wildlife Sanctuary I am working closely in conservation and awareness with the communities that

use the Bay. I really appreciate the opportunity that the Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and

Development has provided me.

My name is Ruby Andonys Arrivillaga, and I am 24 years old. Before working

with SACD, I was a hard working reef fisherman for eight years. I first started

to fish when I had to leave 1st form of secondary school. I was not able to

continue because of economic problems, and my only way out was the sea.

Having been at the sea for eight years, I’ve noticed many important things -

for example, the decline of the Nassau grouper, conchs, parrotfish and many

other species that every year are seen less.

The reason that I decided to see if I was given a chance at SACD for the job of a ranger is because I

wanted to teach the fishermen to take care of our sea and the species that lives in it through

sustainable fishing. That way we will have these species not only today but for our next generation

to know about Belize’s beautiful waters and all species that lives in it. I have a boat captain license, a

fisherfolk license, and have completed first aid, tour guide, and pristine seas courses. I consider

myself a good asset for SACD because of all the experience in the sea and my willingness to protect

and conserve, educate the fishermen and to be an example for the community. I am a very flexible

person, willing to work hard for SACD so that one day not only for the fishermen, but the whole

community, can change and learn that these seas are for all of us, and that together we can keep

them alive and beautiful as they are now.


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Research and Monitoring Program

Biodiversity Monitoring

The Research and Monitoring Programme is currently managed under the Natural Resource

Management Programme, with the majority of activities in 2012 being focused on developing baseline

information on key conservation targets. Eight targets were identified during management planning to

assist in guiding strategies for effective biodiversity management of Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Of

these, significant baseline information was developed for four:

West Indian Manatee

Commercial Fish species

Mangroves and other Coastal Ecosystems

The Estuarine Environment - Water Quality

The focus of 2013/14 activities will be to develop similar baselines for

the remaining four targets:

Seagrass

Nesting Bird Colonies

Sharks and Rays

Stromatolites

Water Quality

Seagrass

Mangrove

Bird Nesting Colonies

Sharks and Rays

Stromatolites

Commercial

Fish Species West Indian Manatee


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West Indian Manatee

Research and Monitoring Goal: Protection of the West Indian

Manatee through improved information, focusing on maintaining

and improving the manatee population within Corozal Bay Wildlife

Sanctuary, whilst reducing potential threats to this species.

The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is recognized as a

globally vulnerable species under the IUCN Redlist (IUCN, 2008). Of

the two sub-species, the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus

manatus) is found in Belize, and protected under the Wildlife

Protection Act, No. 4 of 1981). Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary was

designated as one of three core areas in Belize considered

important for maintaining viable populations of manatees, and is

highlighted as particularly important for mating and calving (Auil,

2008).

Despite these designated protected areas, and the

laws that protect manatees, the national

population is being impacted as a result of boat

collisions, loss of seagrass areas and continued

poaching, all of which is exacerbated by limited

law enforcement.

A draft Species Conservation Management Plan

was developed in 2012 for manatees in Corozal

Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, based on the information

collected.

The current population size of West Indian

manatee within the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

is estimated at between 100 to 150 individuals,

extrapolating from the highest count of 59

individuals in one survey flight. Population counts

fluctuate during the year, with highest numbers

being recorded during the norther season (January

/ February).

The importance of three resting sites along the

eastern coastline has been confirmed, with as many as 10 individuals being seen at one site at any one

time. Mating herds have been seen around Rocky Point, Shipstern Caye and the Spanish Point area.

Number of manatees


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Manatee Strandings

SACD also responded to a number of manatee stranding reports. The first for 2012 was a report on

February 29th of a dead calf. A large, dead adult was reported on the Mexican side of the Rio Hondo by

the survey team during an aerial survey on 4th February. .One live manatee stranding was also reported,

with a calf caught in a fish trap, its mother lurking outside. The calf was successfully released and re-

joined the mother.

Manatee Viability

Man

ate

e:

Via

bili

ty

Current Rating Goal Justification

GOOD GOOD Justification: Reproducing population – mother and calves, relatively few strandings, Population is relatively stable. Aerial surveys show at least 50 resident to 100+ with mating itinerant males. Reported poaching for last year was 0, reduced generally over last 4 years. Majority of users are aware of boat impacts on manatees and respect no-wake zones

Functioning within its range of

acceptable variation;

may require some human intervention

Functioning within its range of acceptable variation; may require some

human intervention

Indicators: Tri-Annual aerial survey results

Results from resting holes monitoring

Stranding results (live and carcass) Seagrass indicators

Twiggy, the West Indian Manatee

Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary will be hosting a new occupant

– Twiggy, a rescued and rehabilitated West Indian Manatee

from the Manatee Rehabilitation Centre. Twiggy is due to be

released in April, 2013, and will be tracked using an

ARGOS/GPS transmitter, providing information on where she

goes and what she does.

At three years old, she is being prepared for release, living

freely in the lagoon in front of Wildtracks, and sustaining

herself on the seagrass and other benthic plants that grow

there. She has had very limited contact with humans for more

than a year, removing her focus from her carers, and it is

expected that when she enters the release site, she will start

interacting with the wild manatees that live in Corozal Bay

Wildlife Sanctuary.

SACD and Wildtracks have been collaborating closely to ensure the continued presence of

manatees within Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

A. Hagan


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Commercial Fish Species

Research and Monitoring Goal: Improve commercial fish populations and viability within Corozal Bay

Wildlife Sanctuary, with a sustainable fishery supporting traditional artisanal fishermen.

Fishing within the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary has been identified as a traditional resource-use

activity, practiced from generation to generation, generating an income for families and providing an

important protein source in stakeholder communities. However, community consultations indicate that

commercial fish stocks within the Wildlife Sanctuary have fallen significantly since the arrival of gill nets

twenty to thirty years ago, with the near extirpation of species such as the goliath grouper and the

small-tooth sawfish over the last fifteen years.

Current Status: An estimated 33 to 35 fishermen and their families are considered to be dependent or

largely dependent on the small scale fishery of Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. The majority of these live

in Sarteneja, and have the highest dependency, whilst those from Corozal and Consejo have lower

dependency with greater opportunities for non-fishing related employment.

Mapping exercises in the stakeholder communities demonstrate that there is a loose division of the

fishing area per community, with Sarteneja using the largest percentage of the Wildlife Sanctuary, and a

variety of fishing methods and equipment. Fishing activities are almost exclusively within 300m of the

shore and are focused on species that move up and down the coastline.

Fourteen species are regularly fished from Corozal Bay Wildlife

Sanctuary for commercial or home-use purposes, with four of these

considered key targets for fishery management.

Striped Mojarra

Yellow-fin Mojarra

Grey Snapper

Great Barracuda

Commercial Fish Species Viability

Co

mm

erci

al F

ish

Sp

ecie

s: V

iab

ility

Current Rating Goal Justification

FAIR GOOD Justification: Reduced fish populations due to unsustainable fishing practices and transboundary incursions Requiring urgent

human intervention to

restore numbers to viable levels

Functioning within its range of acceptable

variation; may require some

human intervention

Indicators: Average size of catch per year per beach trap


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Striped Mojarra 20%

Grey Snapper 20%

Yellowfin Mojarra

7%

Great Barracuda 25%

Blue striped Grunt

3%

Mutton Snapper 20%

Atlantic Spadefish

2%

Lane Snapper 3%

Striped Mojarra

Grey Snapper

Yellowfin Mojarra

Great Barracuda

Blue striped Grunt

Mutton Snapper

Atlantic Spadefish

Lane Snapper

Sarteneja Beach Trap Fishery

Sarteneja fishermen have the majority of the traditional

beach traps in Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. These

traps consist of a line of wooden sticks spaced 2 feet

apart extending 250-300ft from shore, leading into a

circle 25-30ft in diameter, targeting species that move

parallel to the shore.

This is a traditional fishing method for the area, with

traps being passed from father to son. Ten trap

fishermen man 15 traps, set in permanent locations

along the coastline extending east and west of Sarteneja.

Fishing is seasonal, with traps opened in mid-April and

removed in mid-November. The take is very

discriminatory, with fish netted live and sorted at point

of capture. By-catch (non-commercial species /

undersized) is thrown back alive.

A baseline of catch per species was developed from data collected in 2011, with striped mojarra

(Eugerres plumieri), yellow-fin mojarra (Gerres cinereus) and grey snapper (Lutjanus griseus) making up

the majority of the catch. Results are summarised in the SACD report “Planning for a Sustainable

Fishery” (SACD, 2012).

Percentage catch biomass per species (SACD beach trap data, 2011)


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79%

15%

6%

Grey Snapper

Mutton Snapper

Lane Snapper

Two species of mojarra (striped mojarra (Eugerres plumieri) and yellow-fin mojarra (Gerres cinereus))

are preferentially targeted by the Corozal Bay fishery.

Three species of snapper were represented within the

catch, with 79% of the snapper catch being grey snapper

(Lutjanus griseus). 15% of the snapper catch was mutton

snapper (Lutjanus analis), with the remaining 6% being lane

snapper (Lutjanus synagris). Mutton snapper were the most

seasonal with all individuals being caught in November,

whilst lane snapper occurred in catches from June to

August.

Size range of Yellow-fin mojarra (Gerres cinereus) sampled from beach traps, total catch data, 2011

Size range of Striped mojarra (Eugerres plumieri) sampled from beach traps, total catch data, 2011


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Mangroves and Coastal Ecosystems

Research and Monitoring Goal: Identification and monitoring of areas critical for shoreline protection,

in order to maintain nursery functionality for commercial fish species and structural support for bird

nesting colonies, and to ensure the maintenance of

mangrove and coastal ecosystems.

The north east of Belize has some of the most extensive

mangrove habitat in the country. These mangroves are a

major contributor to the CBWS marine environment,

supporting a diverse range of birds, mammals,

crustaceans and fish. In their multifunctional capacity,

they form the basis of a complex marine food chain,

creating breeding habitat, establishing sheltered waters

that offer protection for maturing offspring in the

shallow, coastal lagoons, stabilizing bottom sediments,

and protecting shorelines from erosion. They also have

an important role in preserving water quality by filtering

suspended material and assimilating dissolved nutrients.

Mangroves grow along the Belize coastlines, lagoons and estuaries - areas that are attractive to foreign

investors and the retirement sector. Thus, they face increasing threats from land reclamation and

waterfront property development. The coastal mangrove is so critical to the integrity of the ecosystem

functionality of the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, but unfortunately the majority does not lie within

the protected area, which only extends to the high water mark, and does not include the fragile coastal

lagoon systems.

Current Status: Baseline mapping of the coastline

vegetation has been completed (SACD Report: Corozal Bay

Wildlife Sanctuary: Coastal Mapping; Lloyd et al., 2011).

Each ecosystem is defined by its characteristic plant

community and extent along the coastline. Of the

approximately 145km of coastline of the Wildlife

Sanctuary, 90.47% currently consists of ecosystems

containing a mangrove component, much of it a

significant mangrove component. 7.5% of the coastline

has been fully converted to an urban classification, with

no remaining natural component. The majority of the

coastline remains as Class 1, with little or no signs of

ecosystem alteration.


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Ecosystems of the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Coastline Length (km) %

Brackish/Saline lake 0.21 0.14 Caribbean mangrove forest: coastal fringe mangrove 27.42 18.78 Caribbean mangrove forest: dwarf mangrove scrub 12.62 8.65 Caribbean mangrove forest: mixed mangrove scrub 26.55 18.19 Caribbean mangrove forest; tall mixed mangrove (basin mangrove) 2.14 1.46 Coastal fringe mangrove with Casuarina-dominated beach ridge 0.52 0.36 Mangrove dominated beach ridge vegetation, backed by marine salt marsh with mangroves

2.65 1.81

Marine salt marsh rich in succulents 1.49 1.02 Prominent beach ridge vegetation (not mangrove dominated), backed by dwarf mangrove scrub flats

13.36 9.15

Prominent beach ridge vegetation (not mangrove dominated), backed by marine salt marsh with mangroves

7.14 4.89

Red and black fringing mangroves (with occasional coconuts) backed by tropical evergreen seasonal broad-leaved lowland forest on calcareous soils

39.68 27.18

River 0.22 0.15 Tropical evergreen seasonal broad-leaved lowland forest on calcareous soils 1.06 0.72 Urban 10.93 7.49

Level of Disturbance Classification Description

1 Very light clearance Vegetation nearly entirely in its natural state 2 Under brushed Most natural vegetation remaining, particularly

large trees 3 Moderate clearance Distinctly altered, but still maintaining some

natural structure 4 Heavily

impacted/trees removed

Significantly altered, for example including cutting of most trees. May be in regeneration from complete clearance (i.e. abandoned)

5 Cleared/developed: no natural vegetation

No natural vegetation remaining; entirely cleared. May be filled, sea-walled, built upon, used for agriculture, etc.

Point Features Number Boat ramp/slipway 25 Bridge 1 Canal Mouth 4 Caye 22 Creek mouth 20 Fish camp 10 Fish trap 12 Net 3 Pole 30 Sewage/drain pipe 6 Sign 3 Other 5

Also identified in the coastal assessment was the level of

disturbance, and the number and type of anthropogenic and

non-anthropogenic coastal features.


20

The Estuarine Environment

Research and Monitoring Goal: Maintenance and improvement of the water quality in the Corozal Bay

Wildlife Sanctuary, and greater understanding of the links between water quality and movement, and

the distribution and health of conservation targets.

Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary contains a significant portion of the largest estuarine system emptying

onto the Meso-American reef. As a transitional zone between fresh and salt water, it has a wide variety

of rapidly changing environments over both space and time. With the shallow conditions, the estuary is

heavily influenced by the wind direction. The strong winds of the norther season push the water

southward out of the bay, reducing both water level and water temperature.

During the wet season, fresh, warm water from the rivers has a greater influence on conditions

throughout the northern portion of the estuary, resulting in lower salinity. In the dry season, salinity is

higher, as is the water level, as conditions are influenced by the strong south-east wind, blowing sea

water into the Bay.

Extreme weather events will also have significant effects on the physical conditions, mixing the water

body, breaking up halo- and thermoclines. These events will also cause sediment to be stirred, releasing

nutrients into the water column and decreasing water clarity, with potential knock-on effects on

seagrass beds.

Current Status: Baseline

surveys of salinity,

temperature, pH, dissolved

oxygen and turbidity took

place in Corozal Bay North

in the dry and wet seasons

(4th April and 3rd August,

2012). Permanent loggers

for water depth,

temperature and salinity

were also deployed.

Surface salinity during the Norther Season, Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary (ODV)

88.4oW 88.3

o 88.2

o 88.1

o

18.5oN

18.4oN

18.3

oN

18.2

oN

18.1

oN

18.0

oN

Salinity p

pt

40 30

20

10

0

Rio Hondo

New

River

Spanish Point

Bulkhead Shoals

Bacalar

Chico

Sarteneja

MEXICO

BELIZE

CBWS North

CBWS East


21

Salinity

• Salinity varies significantly seasonally and spatially throughout CBWS, with highest levels

experienced in the dry season.

Norther Season: As expected, salinity increases from west to east in Corozal Bay North, and north to

south in Corozal Bay East, with a salinity of 1.1 ppt at the mouth of the Rio Hondo and 3.4 ppt at the

mouth of the New River in the west, increasing to 10.2 ppt at Rocky Point, and becoming increasingly

saline moving southwards towards Spanish Point. There is a significant influence from water flowing out

of the coastal lagoons in Corozal Bay East, with salinity increasing with distance from the coast – at High

Bluff, coastal salinity is 10.4 ppt, increasing to 23.8 ppt to the east. The highest salinity, 35.9 ppt, is

recorded in the Bulkhead Shoal area, in the relatively deep water channel that crosses the shoal,

funnelling water into the estuary from the reef.

Haloclines: A distinct halocline is seen in all seasons in Corozal Bay North, as the river water meets the

incoming seawater. This is disrupted by tropical storm activity, which mixes the water column. Saltwater

intrudes through the deep-water channel that bisects Bulkhead Shoals, leading to a second distinct

halocline in the deeper waters of Corozal Bay East.

Deep Water North-South Transect for Corozal Bay East – Salinity, clearly demonstrating the gradient in

salinity moving southwards from WQ0 (Rocky Point (deep) to Bulkhead Shoal, and the halocline as salt

water enters from the south.

Temperature

• Warm, fresh water entering the northern region of CBWS from the two rivers, Rio Hondo and

New River, elevates temperatures throughout the bay in the rainy season. Norther season

temperatures are much lower than at other times of year.

Measuring the water temperature is an important basic component of the water monitoring

programme, as it affects many of the biological, physical, and chemical processes in Corozal Bay. The

general temperature gradient is from a high in the north-west to lower to the east in Corozal Bay North,

varying from a minimum of 25.8°C to the east of the transect during the Norther Season to a maximum

of 32.2°C in the Wet Season. The temperature decreases from Rocky Point southwards to Spanish Point

in Corozal Bay East.

0

2

4

De

pth

(m

)

Salinity (p

H)

0 10 20 30 40 50 Rocky Point Bulkhead Shoal

km south from Rocky Point (Deep Water transect)

Rocky Point

Bulkhead

Shoal


22

34

32

30

28

26

24

Seasonal Temperature and Salinity Transects in Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary North

(a) Dry Season (b) Wet Season (c) Norther Season

Horizontal transect of northern component of CBWS bay - Salinity (ppt) in (a) the Dry Season, (b) the Wet Season and (c) Norther Season (River entry points are to the west).

N

18.50

18.45

18.40

18.35

18.30

Salinity

(a) Dry Season (b) Wet Season (c) Norther Season

- C) in (a) the Dry Season, (b) the Wet Season and (c) Norther Season (River entry points are to the west).

N

18.50

18.45

18.40

18.35

18.30


23

Dry Season: Water temperatures are relatively constant in Corozal Bay North in the Dry Season, with

temperatures highest at the river mouths (New River: 29.7°C). Temperatures decrease eastwards

towards Rocky Point, with a surface temperature of 28.2°C. A horizontal transect demonstrates the

presence of a significant thermocline, with heavier, colder water lying beneath the warmer, fresher river

water, stretching 15km to 20km eastwards towards Rocky Point.

Wet Season: Temperatures in Wet Season are higher than those of the Dry Season, particularly at the

mouths of the New River and Progresso Lagoon systems. Both these have extensive, shallow lagoons

and flood inundation areas that elevate water temperatures during the summer months, with significant

influence on the temperature of Corozal Bay North. A similar temperature increase, though to a lesser

extent, is also observed at the mouth of the Rio Hondo. High temperatures are around 32.2°C at the

mouth of the New River – 2.5°C higher than during the Dry Season, with the temperature falling to

30.3°C in the east, by Rocky Point.

Oxygen

• Surface DO levels are relatively stable, though low DO (<4 mg/L) were encountered at the

river mouths in the rainy season, and in front of Sarteneja after TS Ernesto.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) is important in biological processes, with access to DO being a basic requirement

for the majority of aquatic organisms, whether plants or animals, within the Wildlife Sanctuary. Very

few species, even those adapted to hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions, are able to survive in <3 mg/L, and

the optimum is considered to be >9 mg/L.

During the surveys, the surface DO levels (mg/L and %) of the Corozal Bay North and East never fell

outside of thresholds considered suitable for supporting healthy marine life. In the Norther season, with

the strong winds whipping up the waters of Corozal Bay North, DO levels are high, then falling during

the Dry Season. In the Wet Season, however, surface DO throughout Corozal Bay North was reduced. In

all seasons, an influence from warmer water entering from the rivers was noted – this was particularly

significant during Wet Season decreasing the DO content near to critical levels by the river mouths. low

DO (<4 mg/L) were encountered at the river mouths in the rainy season, and in front of Sarteneja after

Tropical Storm Ernesto, when sediments were disturbed by the strong winds.

Dissolved oxygen readings from the New River were consistently low just inside the river mouth, falling

below 3.mg/L (45%) in the deepest water in the Wet Season. This decreased even further – to 1.6mg/L

(21 and 22%) - in the stretch between 1 and 2km upstream.

The surface temperatures during this season are also below minimum requirements for healthy

ecosystems, being around 1.8mg =/L (23%). In contrast, the DO concentrations as Rocky Point are high –

between 6.0 and 8.1mg/L (88 and 107%), both on the surface and at the bottom of the water quality –

well within the requirements of aquatic organisms of the estuary. This aligns with the fish kills reported

from these areas during hot, still weather.


24

pH

The pH readings throughout the estuary were uniformly alkali, (with the exception of the sink

holes).

This is not unexpected as the bedrock of northern Belize is limestone, a component of the Yucatan

limestone platform. Water being discharged from the rivers is slightly more acidic, with readings around

pH 7 (neutral), thought to be attributable to the decomposition of organic matter.

SACD collaboration wth Dr. Laura Carrillo

E O UR, … g

transboundary collaboration towards

more effective monitoring of water

parameters

SACD intern Noe Verde with Jen Chapman

of Blue Ventures, learning about water

quality data management – SACD is

building capacity in its Research and

Monitoring Interns

Mangroves – Their importance to the communities of Corozal Bay

Wildlife Sanctuary

Fisheries: Mangroves provide important habitat for snapper, crabs and

other species. They provide a safe nursery area, especially for estuarine

species such as mojarra, ensuring that fish stocks are replenished

Protection: The root systems of coastal mangroves provide protection from

the impacts of storms, preventing erosion, and stabilising the coastline. They

break the force of storm winds as they approach land. They also filter water

before it enters the sea – trapping sediments and agrochemical

contamination.


25

Education and Outreach Program

Volunteer and Internship Programme (VIP)

The VIP encourages young people in Sarteneja to develop

awareness of conservation, participate in conservation

activities, and to actively promote conservation in the area.

The programme has gone from strength to strength, with

over 36 upper primary students participating since its

establishment in 2010. The VIP Volunteer group for 2012

was composed of 17 Standard Six students from both

primary schools in Sarteneja (the Nazarene Primary School

and La Inmaculada Roman Catholic School), ranging from

eleven to thirteen years of age. The yearly work plan was

developed with the Education Committee, to guide each activity outlined in this summary.

The VIP group also partnered with the Sarteneja Baptist High School Environmental Club, Wildtracks,

Blue Ventures, the Sarteneja Fishermen Association (SFA), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to

conduct a series of other conservation activities.

Education and Outreach Calendar of Activities, 2012

Water Quality monitoring

New monitoring site established for Corozal Bay, under the global World Water Monitoring Day programme.

21 student participants conducted a basic analysis of water quality for the Bay, bringing attention to the importance of clean water.

Data entered into the web-based global database by interns, building capacity in data management and on-line data entry.

No Littering Campaign

No Littering signs were created and erected along the Sarteneja seafront, prior to Easter.

Creation of a Garbage info video by 6 VIP scholarship interns, on the issues of garbage in Sarteneja

Two posters were produced by the Sarteneja Baptist High School Environmental Club along the same theme, for display in the school.

Febru

ary


26

Sarteneja Baptist High School Environmental Club Manatee Trip

Four high school students from 1st-3rd forms participated in a field trip with the SACD rangers to one of the manatee resting holes, to develop ideas for posters on manatee conservation and protection.

The Belize Shark Project

SACD interns participated in a half day workshop to learn how to set under water video camera traps to collect information of sharks’ behaviour in the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

SACD Easter Regatta Booth

SACD scholarship interns ran a coral reef ecosystem activity at the SACD Booth at the Easter Regatta

Focused on building their capacity in communication and presentation skills.

Conservation Nature Walk

Twenty two people participated in two adventurous trips to Fireburn Reserve, hosted by Wildtracks.

SACD VIP participants learnt about the importance of the area and the adaptation of different species to the forest environment from Wildtracks, and its role in the release of rehabilitated Yucatan black howler monkeys.

Site Visit: Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

15 SACD VIP students, SACD Rangers and the Education Officer participated in the site visit.

Focused on the natural resources of the Bay and its surrounding ecosystems, and building an awareness of its importance.

Students visited bird nesting cayes, the New River, lagoon systems, manatee resting areas, as well as Cerros Archaeological Site.

This helped students to understand the importance of the Wildlife Sanctuary for wildlife, and the need for protecting the different inter-connected ecosystems of the area.

Ma

rch

Apri

l M

ay

Jun

e


27

Coastal Clean-Up

SACD-VIP completed a half-day coastal clean- of approximately 200 meters of the Sarteneja / Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary coastline.

20 people participated, collecting 714 pieces of garbage (20 bags of trash, which was sorted by type.

The information generated was then used in a workshop for SACD Scholarship Interns, building capacity in data management and analysis, and presentation of results as charts, tables and graphs.

A garbage/ pollution brochure was produced by the four participating Interns based on the information produced by the analysis, for distribution to the community.

SACD 2012 Six-a-side Marathon (Under-15)

SACD launched its 1st Soccer Tournament, with 10 official games over a series of weeks.

Four teams participated - the Goliath Groupers, Great Hammerheads, Loggerhead Turtles, and the Lionfish.

Teams were sponsored by the Sarteneja Fishermen Association, Sarteneja Tour Guide Association, Blue Ventures, and SACD.

The teams were awarded certificates of recognition and trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, as well as SACD t-shirts, bags, caps and exercise books, depending on their team’s position at the end of the tournament.

A series of five manatee-related awareness activities were conducted on each day of the tournament, covering subjects such as manatee autonomy, importance of manatees in Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, and best practices around manatees, and included videos, work sheets, questionnaires, and quizzes.

SACD Manatee Day 2012

This event was all about manatees and included a series of fun games - manatee races, manatee information, information on mangroves, manatee skeleton display, manatee board display, and manatee paintings.

Prizes such as pens, hand bands and manatee school books were given away to the students and parents that participated during the day.

July


28

SACD Visit to the Wildtracks Manatee

Rehabilitation Centre

20 SACD VIP visited the Manatee Rehabilitation Center.

Wildtracks provided a tour of the rehabilitation facilities, presentations, and the group observed the manatee feeds.

The group also met with a group of University students studying manatees in Belize under Dr. Caryn Self-Sullivan.

SACD / Blue Ventures Bird Activity

20 SACD VIP and Interns participated in a bird watching activity, learning about the different adaptation, habitat requirements, and ecosystem functions of magnificent frigatebirds, pelicans, turkey vultures, ground doves, royal/sandwich terns, mangrove swallows, and great tailed grackles.

SACD Sarteneja Beach Clean Up #2 A second beach cleanup was conducted by VIP

students and SACD Staff in collaboration with members of the Sarteneja Fishermen Association (SFA), Sarteneja Tour Guide Association (STGA), and SACD Scholarship Interns.

Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve

SACD took 19 Sartenejeños (13 VIP students and 6 adults) to Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and National Park for a one day field trip.

Students had the opportunity to become familiar with part of the Barrier Reef, the lagoon system and canal that flows between the CBWS to the coral reef.

Students learned the importance of the mangroves ecosystems at Bacalar Chico.

They also learned of the interconnection between the barrier reef, seagrass, and mangroves.

The Bacalar Chico Fisheries Officers provided a history of the marine reserve and Blue ventures staff and volunteers assisted with the water-based activities.

Aug

ust

Sep

tem

ber


29

Independence Day Parade – Queen of the Bay

SACD participated in the Independence Day parade organised by the local schools, with SACD staff, Alliance partners, VIP students and interns decorating the SACD patrol boat and float vehicle as a means of sharing information and promoting the work by SACD.

Briseidy Quintanilla was elected as Queen of the Bay, and gave a speech on behalf of the organization.

Escuela Mexico 4th Form visit – Fish of Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Six 4th Form students from Escuela Mexico joined SACD for two days, looking at fish species of the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

Water Quality Monitoring

SACD trained two SACD Interns on how to use the water quality monitoring equipment, and integrated their participation into the SACD monitoring team.

Both interns have environmental studies backgrounds – SACD is committed to building their capacity in the environmental field, encouraging them to further their studies and be part of SACD research and monitoring

team.

3 Day Teacher’s Workshop on the Coral Reef

A three day teacher’s workshop was conducted on the coral reef ecosystem. A field trip was organized to Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve for the second day, in

collaboration with the Sarteneja Tour Guide Association. This provided teachers with the opportunity to see the reef first hand and develop

activities for the development of the Coral Reef Workbook for Upper Primary level students.

Celebration of the SACD Scholarship Programme

Over 100 people participated in the Scholarship Programme celebration, including parents, school principals, teachers, community leaders, fishermen, and local organizations/associations.

Sep

tem

ber

Oct

ober

Nov

em

ber

Dece

mb

er


30

Scholarships Provided in 2012

Alester Sosa

Anna Mendez

Benjamin Reyes

Leticia Alas

Liuz Us

Loida Cruz

Olivia Lima

Juan Guerrero

Sayel Santoya

Shayla Muñoz

Wilma Sosa

SACD Scholarship Programme

SACD awards four high school scholarships each year to those

VIP students that show the greatest motivation and

conservation leadership. Each scholarship covers four years of

student tuition fees. This brought the total of fourteen SACD

scholarships that have been given since the start of the

programme in 2010, with eleven scholarship students being

supported in 2012.

SACD Scholarship Interns

Scholarship students from 2010 and 2011 participate in SACD

activities, learning skills such as GPS use and navigation, field

data collection, analysis and reporting.

They assist with SACD events such as Manatee Day, the SACD

Easter Regatta Booth, and the Independence Day float, and

participate in training events, expanding their knowledge and

experience of conservation in and around the Corozal Bay

Wildlife Sanctuary.

SACD is proud of its

Scholarship Students

of 2012

and wishes them the best

in the

2012 / 2013 school year…


31

How Does the Scholarship Programme Work?

SACD scholarships covers four years of tuition fees for four graduating upper primary students a year

from either Sarteneja Nazarene Primary School or La Inmaculada R. C. School, who have shown the

greatest motivation and dedication to conservation during their participation in the VIP programme.

The Scholarship Programme is focused on increasing the number of students in Sarteneja who go on

to attend high school, building the capacity of young conservation leaders within the community, and

providing them with an opportunity to improve their level of education.

The scholarship selection process has been developed to provide fairness and transparency. In each

VIP activity, participants are graded on a point-based system established by the Education Advisory

Committee. Motivation, participation, punctuality, behaviour and attendance are all criteria. An

attendance and points list keeps track of each participating student across each VIP activity, with

individual activities scored from between 5 and 50 points, depending on length and difficulty.

An interview is conducted with those students that qualify for the scholarship (those with the highest

points at the end of the school year) by an Interview Board consisting of four people - an SACD Board

member, an Education Advisory Committee member, the SACD Education Officer and SACD Peace

Corps Volunteer - to determine the final four scholarship recipients. Questions focus on ensuring that

the student needs the help, wants to study and is willing to continue participating in conservation

activities as an SACD Intern.

SACD Agreement: An SACD contract is signed by each student, their parent/guardian, the SACD

President, the Education Advisory Committee Chairperson, and a Justice of the Peace. The

agreement guides the SACD Scholarship recipients in the rules and regulations that students need to

follow for the next four years in order to remain eligible for their scholarship.

Certificates : Each SACD scholarship student is given a Certificate of Recognition, confirming that the

student is an active SACD scholarship recipient. It also reminds them that they are part of SACD, and

that they have the responsibility to voice issues regarding conservation and sustainable development

within their community.

Tracking Methods: SACD keeps track of each scholarship recipient throughout their four years of

study, to verify their progress in high school and to ensure that they are abiding by the rules and

regulations of the SACD scholarship contract, including maintaining their grades, keeping to the SACD

guiding principles and participating in the SACD Internship activities.

Interested in sponsoring a child’s education in Sarteneja?

Consider contributing towards the Scholarship Fund…an established, well-managed

programme that seeks to support future leaders of the community. Find out more

from the SACD Office: [email protected].


32

The SACD Education Committee

One of the strong areas of support towards SACD's education programme has been the active support

and participation of the Education Advisory Committee, composed of representatives of the three

schools in Sarteneja (La Inmaculada R. C. Primary School, Sarteneja Nazarene Primary School and

Sarteneja Baptist College). The Committee members meet regularly to plan VIP activities, ensure they

are aligned to the curriculum where feasible, and manage the scholarship fund.

In 2012, SACD organized a three-day workshop for teachers

selected by the Education Committee, including a teacher’s field

trip to Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve, to expand awareness and

increase understanding of the importance of conservation and the

marine protected areas.

One output from this has been the development of a workbook by

SACD and the workshop participants, to guide future fieldtrips for

upper primary level students.

Education Committee

Members

Mrs. Tomasa Cruz

Mr. Darnel Cruz

Mrs. Elizabeth Moreno

Mr. Jorge Flores

Mr. Higuino Tzul

Mrs. Dianeri Cabrera

Mr. Evelio Tzul


33

Backyard Chicken

Production…

Local Fisherfolk Participants

Huber Blanco

Romel Blanco

Eliseo Cruz

Marcelino Cruz

Timoteo Cruz

Elgar Gongora

Nelson Ortega

Gorge Quintanilla

Juanita Raymundo

Sustainable Development Program

Alternatives for Local Fishermen

SACD would like to see a sustainable fishery for Corozal Bay,

with the full participation of the local fishermen. In 2012,

mechanisms were developed and implemented to build

collaboration and partnership between SACD and the local

fishermen, towards better communication and more

sustainable fishing practices.

These included the development of site level rules and

regulations for the beach trap fishery, collection of catch data,

and implementation of a very successful alternative livelihood

project focused on backyard chicken production, the preferred

option identified by the fishermen for reducing their

dependence on the fishery in the Bay. Nine fisherfolk

benefitted from the alternative livelihood project.

During 2012, SACD also continued to support the

Sarteneja Fishermen Association and the Sarteneja

Tour Guide Association in seeking opportunities to

strengthen thier alternative initiatives.


34

Sarteneja Homestay Group

Particpants

Heriberta Andrade

Mayra Arceo

Elia Bradley

Velia Chuck

Ivett Cobb

Jovina Cruz

Naila Espinosa

Carmela Heredia

Rosy Munoz

Merari Verde

Yodilda Villanueva

Evildia Samos

Neria Gongora

Sarteneja Homestay Group – SACD Microloan Programme

Established in 2010, the Homestay Microloan Programme has been providing ongoing loan

opportunities to families of Sarteneja involved in the Sarteneja Homestay Group. These loans

have assisted women in upgrading and equipping their houses to a standard that allows them

to be certified as Homestays, providing the legal frameowrk for taking paying guests.

Thirty-one low-interest loans have

been provided to members of the

Sarteneja Homestay Group since the

start of the programme – a total of

Bz$25,552. Loans range from Bz$500

to a maximum of Bz$1,000, and the

application is supported by a

proposal and budget, developed by

the women, detailing how the loan

will be used.

As an SACD initiative, the loans

programme is managed under the

same financial policies as the SACD

Scholarship fund, ensuring financial transparency and

building trust within the community. For this reason,

applications are reviewed by SACD before approval , an

agreement is signed, and a repayment schedule is

developed. With the low interest rates, the loans are

manageable, yet repayment plus interest adds to the

balance – from a starting fund of $10,000, the loan fund

now stands at over Bz$12,300, available to the women.

“Come stay with us....you can

learn something from us; about

our food, our language, and our

culture.”

Merari Verde

Merari Verde


35

Women’s Craft Workshop

SACD, in collaboration with a Wildtracks consultant,

implemented a pilot programme of craft workshops for the

women of Sarteneja. The aim of the pilot was to identify

existing craft skills within the community and to develop

these into products that can be marketed to meet the

increasing tourist demand. In Sarteneja the income is

declining from year to year and this program builds a

sustainable income opportunity for the group’s members.

The income generated is used towards feeding, educating

and keeping their families healthy.

A series of seven half-day workshops took place, starting

with the identification of the particular craft skills within the

group, and discussion of ways in which existing skills could

be incorporated into products that would appeal to the

tourism market. The workshops covered production of

crafts from notebooks to gift cards, pendants and the all-

important tags that would identify the products as

handmade by the women of Sarteneja. Also identified were

ways in which the naturally available materials, such as

coconut shells, could be incorporated into the crafts.

The women set up a pilot stall at the SACD Easter Regatta

Day booth in Sarteneja in order to investigate the popularity

of each product, and to provide experience in inventory,

basic financial management and record keeping. The stall

was very successful, with an income of almost $200 for the

group over the day.

.


36

MAR LEADERSHIP

Each year the MAR Leadership Program selects 10 to 12

outstanding individuals from the four MAR countries to

be “MAR Fellows.” The SACD Executive Director was

fortunate enough to be chosen to participate as part of

the 2012 cohort.

“The MAR Leadership Programme has given me the

opportunity to network with participants from other MAR

countries. The programme provided trainings that

effectively strengthened my capacity and built my

confidence as a leader in the community.”

Joel Verde, Executive Director, SACD

Learn more about the MAR Leadership Programme

at:

www.liderazgosam.org

Administration Program

SACD takes the administration of the

organization and the programme areas very

seriously, striving for transparency

throughout, and commuinty participation at

all levels.

Capacity Building

As part of its Human Resource

management, SACD has focused on

building the capacity of staff members,

from the Executive Director to the

Assistant Rangers.

All rangers completed their certification as

both Special Constables and Fisheries

Officers. Management staff participated

in courses to build their capacity for

financial management and management

effectiveness, under the National Training

Program for Protected Areas

Management, which was implemented by

the Environmental Research Institute

(University of Belize).

In addition, the Executive Director, Joel

Verde, was accepted on to the MAR

Leadership course (2012 cohort), building

his skills in project development,

management and leadership.

SACD staff participate in GPS use and navigation

training, with the Wildtracks GIS Officer, Adam Lloyd


37

Administration 6%

Equipment and Maintenance

17%

Operational Costs 16%

Other 5%

Professional Services 5%

Project Supplies 18%

Registration and Licences

0%

Salaries 29%

Workshops and Meetings

4%

Administration

Equipment and Maintenance

Operational Costs

Other

Professional Services

Project Supplies

Registration and Licences

Salaries

Workshops and Meetings

Accounting and Transparency

SACD has built a reputation of ensuring transparency

in the administration of both the organization and its

programme areas. With a total income of just under

Bz$200,00, the organization was able to complete all

projects successfully and within budget, stretching

funds as far as possible to ensure the biggest

conservation impact possible.

Expenditure Breakdown – by Expense Category

Expenditure by Category

SACD is very fortunate to have

been able to engage Hugo Castillo

as its first Office Administrator for

2012. Hugo has taken on the role

enthusiastically, and participated

in both internal and external

trainings to build his capacity

further. When not in the office, he

is happy to assist with monitoring

activities, including aerial surveing

of manatees.


38

Financial Report


Balance Sheet

As at December 31, 2012

Assets

As at Dec 31, 2012

Current Assets

Cash and Cash equivalents 69,242

Loan and interest receivables 7,672

Total Current Assets 76,914

Long Term Assets

Property and Equipment 48,536

Total Long Term Assets 48,536

Total Assets

125,450

Net Assets

Fund Balances Deferred Grants 56,645

Scholarship Fund 8,960

Microloan Fund 11,310

Capital Fund 48,536

Total Fund Balances 125,450

Total Net Assets

125,450


39


Income Statement

As at December 31, 2012

INCOME For Year Ended Dec 31, 2012

Grant Income

192,748

Other Income

1,235

Total Income

193,982

EXPENSES:

Administration 12,835

Program Expenses 179,913

Total Expenses 192,748

Excess of Income over expenditures 1,235

These accounts were approved by Management on 3rd May, 2013.

Chairperson

_____________________________

Director


40

SACD S a r t e n e j a A l l i a n c e F o r

C o n s e r v a t i o n a n d D e v e l o p m e n t

Maintaining Ecosystem Services

Mangroves of the

New River mouth

Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

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