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The Belize Barrier Reef is a diverse ecosystem that has supported Belize for centuries. Our scientists and rangers are in the field daily monitoring use and health. There are many sites that are not regularly monitored. The Watch List includes critical attributes of the marine ecosystem in Belize. The level is geared towards the Citizen Scientist, and field reports from fishers, tourism industry representatives, NGOs, and researchers are welcome.
The information received will be used to create the Belize Barrier Reef Annual Report. We hope to identify resilient reefs, or Hope Spots, document rare species, document nesting turtles, and engage the coastal residents on how to support the efforts of the dedicated personnel charged with managing and monitoring the Belize Barrier Reef. We present to you the Watch List in detail, to help you learn about the different categories, why monitoring is important, we include specific examples, and how to document. These details are supplemental to the Virtual Workshop and printed materials. |
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The Watch List Field Guide
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Coral
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IMPORTANCE
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EXAMPLES
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DOCUMENT
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Healthy - the survivors, resilient reefs, aka Hope Spots
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Pillar coral - Stony coral tissue loss disease has decimated the living pilar coral colonies in northern Belize. Any survivors may be resistant
Fields of elkhorn & staghorn - Many acroporids have been impacted by disease, standing fields identify resilient colonies
Blue finger coral - Uncommon, aid in mapping
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Location
Species Photograph Sign up for Coral Watch Adopt A Reef |
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Unhealthy - shows condition of reef, can aid in identifying resilient reefs
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Bleaching, disease
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Location
Species Photograph Sign up for Coral Watch Adopt A Reef |
Commercial Fishery Species
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IMPORTANCE
Important to document to preserve fisher livelihoods During scientific surverys of reef fish, researchers are documenting fewer large fish |
EXAMPLES
Spawning aggregations of snappers, groupers Large groupers ie goliath, black, Nassau
Fields of juvenile conch nurseries, mating conchs
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DOCUMENT
Location Species Quantity Photograph |
Gamefish
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IMPORTANCE
To document diversity, migration routes |
EXAMPLES
Billfish Other rare pelagics |
DOCUMENT
Location, species, weight |
Elasmobranchs - Sharks & Rays
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IMPORTANCE
Have been overfished Top predators |
EXAMPLES
Hammerheads, tiger, bull sharks Manta, cownose rays
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DOCUMENT
Photograph Location Species Quantity Behavior |
HERBIVORES
Herbivores play a crucial role in the Caribbean coral reef ecosystem by grazing on algae, which helps to maintain the balance of the reef. Examples of herbivores commonly found in the Caribbean coral reef include these members of the Belize Barrier Reef Watch Watch List:
- Parrotfish: These colorful fish are known for their powerful beaks, which they use to scrape algae off rocks and coral. Parrotfish are one of the most important herbivores on the reef.
- Surgeonfish: Surgeonfish, which include the blue tank, ocean surgeon and doctorfish, are named after the scalpel on their their tails. They graze on algae using their small, scraping mouthparts. Surgeonfish are often seen travelling in large schools over the reef.
- Sea Urchins: are known to be significant grazers of algae in reef ecosystems. They feed by scraping algae off rocks and coral.
Parrotfish
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IMPORTANCE
Consume algae on reef Support stony coral growth Rainbow & midnight parrotfish are the largest in this family of fish. They were once hunted but now protected. |
EXAMPLES
Schools of Stoplight, Rainbow & Midnight Parrotfish |
DOCUMENT
Location Quantity Species |
Surgeonfish
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IMPORTANCE
Consume algae on reef Support stony coral growth |
EXAMPLES
Blue Tang Ocean Surgeonfish Doctorfish |
DOCUMENT
Large schools Location Species Estimated Quantity |
Long Spined Black Urchin
aka Diadema
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IMPORTANCE
Consume algae on reef Support stony coral growth First Diadema die off in 80s, another reported in 2022
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EXAMPLES
Long spined black urchin sites where they are abundant, or any dead
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DOCUMENT
Location Quantity Species |
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FUN FACT!
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Diadema antillarum is the scientific name the long spined black urchin.
Diadema is Latin for crown and antillarum from Antilles, Latin for the islands lying west of Spain & Portugal |
Marine Mammals
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IMPORTANCE
Top predators play important role in food webs and balance in ocean ecosystem Important attraction for tourism industry All species are protected International treaties to which Belize is a signatory require protection of critical habitat |
EXAMPLES
Whales - sperm, false killer whale Dolphins - Atlantic bottlenose, spinner, rough-toothed Manatees - fewer than 1000 in Belize |
DOCUMENT
Quantity Behavior Distinguishing marks on dorsal or tail fin to be used to identify individuals |
Marine Reptiles
Sea Turtles & Crocodiles
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IMPORTANCE
All species protected Important attraction for tourism industry International treaties to which Belize is a signatory require protection of critical habitat |
EXAMPLES
Loggerhead Hawkbill Green Leatherback Olive Ridley Saltwater Crocodile |
DOCUMENT
In-water: Location, behavior, injuries useful for ID Nesting: nesting, hatching |
Stranded Marine Life - Alive or Dead
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IMPORTANCE
Rehabilitate if possible Document threats |
EXAMPLES
Marine mammals - manatees, dolphins & whales Reptiles - sea turtles, crocodiles |
DOCUMENT
Location Behavior Species, injured or dead Photograph & notify |
Foraging Marine Life
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IMPORTANCE
Feed on discarded fishery products, important for tourism industry |
EXAMPLES
Turtles Rays Crocs |
DOCUMENT
Species Individuals that frequent sites |
Invasive Species
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IMPORTANCE
Compete with native species, consume herbivores and commercial species |
EXAMPLES
Lionfish, Halophila |
DOCUMENT
Culled lionfish Sign up for Honor Roll Register Gear Adopt a Reef |
Endemic & Rare
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IMPORTANCE
Species not regularly observed Important to document range Increase in biodiversity |
EXAMPLES
White spotted toadfish Seahorse Blue hamlet Cannonball jellyfish Blue Button |
DOCUMENT
Location Species Photograph |
Water Quality Issues
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IMPORTANCE
Important to document source Can result in negative impacts on marine life |
EXAMPLES
Fish disease/kills Algal blooms Discolored water |
DOCUMENT
Species affected Location Photograph |
Sargassum
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IMPORTANCE
When accumulate along shores can suffocate marine life and trap hatchling turtles and other marine life |
EXAMPLES
Hatchling turtles Fish |
DOCUMENT
Look for any living marine life and release Note species affected Photographs Location |
Reef Damage
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IMPORTANCE
Report damage Monitor recovery |
EXAMPLES
Vessel groundings Anchor damage Tropical storms |
DOCUMENT
Location What is impacted? Photograph Photograph Photograph |
Marine Debris
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IMPORTANCE
Litter can kill marine life Litter is unsightly |
EXAMPLES
Discarded fishing gear Trash - plastic bags, plastic bins |
DOCUMENT
Location Type Photograph Try to remove or notify Adopt a Dive Site and keep litter free! |
Historical Artifacts
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IMPORTANCE
Cultural preservation Increase historical knowledge |
EXAMPLES
Anchors Cannon Vessels |
DOCUMENT
Location Type Photograph |
Anything Out of the Ordinary
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IMPORTANCE
If you visit the reef regularly and observe something different, please tell us about it! Maybe it has been overlooked before but could be very important! |
EXAMPLES
New fish New plant Old wreck |
DOCUMENT
Location Location Location Photograph Photograph Photograph |
There are many ways in which you can support conservation monitoring of the Belize Barrier Reef. Select a category that you are most passionate about and get started today! Adopt a Dive /Snorkel Site and start submitting your reports after your next visit to our amazing Belize Barrier Reef! Do you live far from Belize? Then please consider our Adopt a Reef and make a donation to support on the ground efforts.
