A message from the Belize Fisheries Department In a world of weather variability due to climate change, countries that have coral reef systems are experiencing high coral mortalities. Some corals such as the acroporids, have experienced higher mortalities due to their narrow tolerance ranges in water temperatures and high sensitivity to pollutants. An approach to address coral loss is the establishment of coral nurseries to serve as genetic repositories for coral restorations after extreme bleaching events and impacts due to hydro metrological phenomena such as hurricanes.
In Belize, the Fisheries Department is partnering with Fragments of Hope in establishing multiple nursery sites at different locations to mitigate impacts of localized disturbances. Coral restoration can have major, positive impacts on localized resources by increasing the aesthetic value of coral reefs for tourism and creating reef habitat for fisheries purposes. James Azueta Fisheries Officer Ecosystems Management Unit Coordinator Belize Fisheries Department Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries & Sustainable Development P.O. Box 148 Belize City, Belize CITES Management Authority OSPESCA National Coordinator Phone: 501-203-2623/224-4552/223-2187 Fax:501-2232986 Cell: 501-620-2383 Email:
jamesazueta_bz@yahoo.com