Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve Unveils a New Sustainability Plan

Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve Unveils a New Sustainability Plan

The Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve (TAMR) is a significant protected area located approximately 20 miles off the coast of Belize. Established on November 22, 2012, after extensive efforts by various stakeholders, it stands as the largest and most biologically diverse marine reserve in Belize and the wider Western Hemisphere, encompassing a vast area of 325,412 acres.

Recently, the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association released their Flats Fishery Management & Sustainability Plan to provide a “comprehensive understanding of the Atoll’s flats fishery and establish a framework for its longterm sustainable management.”

The Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association is a non-profit NGO and was designated in October 2013 as the co-manager of the marine reserve, working in partnership with the Belize Fisheries Department. TASA’s primary goal is to promote the sustainable use and conservation of the TAMR through active stakeholder stewardship.

The new plan identifies some key areas of focus: “To secure the long-term sustainability of Turneffe’s flats fishing, key objectives include protecting critical habitats, expanding scientific research, recommending sustainable practices and maintaining economic benefits. The plan will  identify threats to the fishery and provide plans for addressing them, including the protection of essential habitats to ensure a vibrant Turneffe Atoll flats fishery for the benefit of stakeholders, the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve and Belize.”

Read more about TASA’s comprehensive plan to manage and sustain Turneffe Atoll’s flats fishery. 

The Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA), Co-manager of the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve, announces the “Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve Flats Fishing Management and Sustainability Plan,” a landmark initiative providing:

• An in-depth understanding of Turneffe Atoll’s flats fishery
• A framework for managing the fishery 
• Initiatives to protect Turneffe Atoll’s essential flats fishing habitats

Flats fishing is a key sector of Belize’s tourism economy. According to a 2022 economic analysis by Turneffe Atoll Trust, flats fishing generates BZ$240.6 million annually for Belize (approximately 6.7% of the country’s GDP) and provides 6,000 Belizean jobs.

Turneffe Atoll is one of Belize’s premier flats fishing destinations with extensive wadable backreef flats, creeks, channels and two large lagoon systems. Anglers from around the world visit Turneffe seeking exceptional opportunities to fish for bonefish, permit, tarpon and a variety of other species.

Recognizing the importance of managing this resource and ensuring its long-term health, TASA convened Turneffe Atoll flats fishing stakeholders, key government agencies and international flats fishing experts to develop a comprehensive plan for managing and sustaining Turneffe’s flats fishery including:

• Mapping and prioritizing essential flats fishing areas
• Analyzing the current regulatory function
• Establishing flats fishing etiquette protocols
• Addressing potential conflicts with commercial fishing 
• Initiating better scientific understanding of the fishery

While Belize is blessed with some of the world’s best flats fishing habitat, critical areas at Turneffe and throughout the country are threatened by dredging and over-water development. Recognizing this, the Plan addresses threats to Turneffe’s fishery and develops concrete recommendations for ensuring the long-term viability of this valuable natural and economic resource.

TASA and the Flats Fishing Committee members hope that this Plan will serve as a model for other flats fisheries, in Belize and globally.

Valdemar Andrade, TASA’s Executive Director, says, “The launch of this plan marks a significant step toward sustainable management and offers a model for how stakeholders can actively participate to ensure the long-term viability of Turneffe’s and Belize’s flats fisheries."

TASA encourages international anglers, travel wholesalers, fly shops and others to utilize this plan to improve and sustain their own fisheries.

Learn more about The Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve: