Abalone Caye, Port Honduras Marine Reserve, Protected marine zone in New Haven, Belize.
Abalone Caye is located within the Port Honduras Marine Reserve, a protected area of approximately 40,000 hectares along Belize's Caribbean coast. The zone encompasses mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs that together form an interconnected marine ecosystem.
The reserve received its protected status in 2000 to safeguard marine populations and support local fishing communities in the Toledo district. This designation emerged as a response to growing concerns about overfishing and habitat loss in the region.
Fishing communities in the area have deep ties to these waters and continue their traditional practices in designated zones of the reserve. The balance between their livelihoods and conservation efforts shapes how the place functions today.
All visitors must register at the ranger station on Abalone Caye and obtain permits before entering different zones of the reserve. It is helpful to ask about regulations beforehand to understand where you can access and what activities are allowed.
The reserve contains more than a hundred small mangrove cayes that serve as nesting grounds for various bird species and provide habitats for marine creatures. These numerous small islands together create a dense network of refuges that attracts fish and other marine life.
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