The annual Reef Report Card was released in October, indicating that Belize’s overall grade for coral health remains “poor.” The 2024 Mesoamerican Reef Report Card is a Healthy Reefs for Healthy People (HRHP) study in collaboration with over 70 organizations dedicated to conserving the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) across Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. These organizations collectively form the Healthy Reefs Initiative (HRI).
Since 2008, these Reef Health Report Cards have tracked key indicators of reef health over time, including live coral cover, fleshy macroalgae cover, and the biomass of important herbivorous and commercial fish species. The collaborative monitoring employs standardized methods and data from hundreds of sites to deliver a comprehensive analysis. For this Report Card, a total of 99 data collectors from 41 organizations contributed to AGRRA monitoring. Reef health can be assessed based on each individual indicator or through the integrated Reef Health Index, which weighs all four indicators equally.
“This year’s report card showed an improvement in the reef health index going from two point zero to two point five. It’s still classified the least in the poor category, but the silver lining is it’s an improvement,” said Raphael Martinez, Country Coordinator HRHP.
The outcome of the Reef Report Card was described as “A Glimmer of Good News from the Mesoamerican Reef as reef health improved for the first time in five years, although the overall grade remains poor,” in a press release by MAR Fund. They say, “The findings of the 2024 report present a mix of hope and urgency. Despite some improvements, the overall health of the reef system remains fragile and faces increasing threats. The condition of the Mesoamerican Reef is concerning, with most of the 286 monitored sites categorized as either in poor (39%) or critical (23%) condition. However, there have been improvements in sites classified as fair and good, which increased from 20% to 28% and from 5% to 9%, respectively. More of the 18 subregions experienced improvements than declines, but none are currently classified as being in good condition, and two are considered critical.”
Dr. Melanie McField, Director of HRHP, expresses the need for immediate intervention. “The Mesoamerican Reef is at a critical juncture. While we celebrate any increase in fish populations and improved enforcement of MPAs, we must acknowledge and address the more challenging root causes of coral decline. Pollution (including greenhouse gases), coastal development, and unsustainable fishing levels erode the ecological processes that maintain biodiversity and reef functioning. It’s not just a conservation issue; it’s a matter of securing the livelihoods, food security, and natural coastal protection of millions of people who depend on the Mesoamerican Reef,” said McField.
The report indicates that coral health has been significantly affected by disease outbreaks and bleaching, which has decreased coral cover from 19% to 17%. The bleaching event in 2023 was the most severe on record, with around 40% of corals severely affected and notable mortality observed at several iconic reef locations. Additionally, concerns over water quality were also raised. High nutrient levels, especially in the southern region, along with unacceptable concentrations of human sewage pathogens, are threatening reef health.
On a positive note, the biomass of commercial fish has increased by 40%, largely due to stronger enforcement measures. Additionally, the biomass of herbivorous fish saw a 30% rise. However, it is important to note that 9 out of 10 parrotfish are still under 30 cm in size, and species with higher herbivory potential remain uncommon. The populations of larger fish species, such as snappers and groupers, are still concerning, with 67% of snappers and 78% of groupers classified as immature. “The statistics for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have shown little change, particularly regarding the percentage under Full Protection. However, stronger enforcement appears to have led to higher fish biomass within Fully Protected and Highly Protected Zones. To further protect marine ecosystems, it is crucial to establish science-based limits on size, catch, and fishing efforts while also achieving the goal of designating 20% of the sea as Fully Protected Zones. The active involvement of fishers in fisheries management, alongside transitional economic support and training, is essential to achieving these objectives,” stated MAR Fund.
The report ends with a call to action for the Government to fully protect 20% of the sea, invest in adequate sewage treatment, prevent massive coastal developments with irreparable damages, and demand the global community addresses the cause of global climate change and consider legal actions.
Read the full report at https://shorturl.at/DkXyN
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