SPAW Regional Programme News: The Belize Manatee Recovery Plan
Manatee Researcher, Nicole Auil, prepared the "Belize Manatee Recovery Plan", as a guide to manage the manatees in Belize over the next four years. The plan identifies specific problems faced by the manatee in Belize, shortcomings in their protection, and provides recommendations to help safeguard these charismatic creatures. It aims at reducing mortality by determining the causes of manatee deaths, and reducing the susceptibility of these factors. The document includes the status of manatees and critical areas recommended for protection.
The Belize Manatee Recovery Plan was produced through the Belize National Manatee Working Group with the UNDP/GEF Coastal Zone Management Project. Belize is known to have the greatest population of the Antillean manatee in the Wider Caribbean and may serve as a source for neighboring countries' populations. The Plan will be used by government officials, non-governmental agencies, and individual researchers for the broad-scale conservation of manatees. It is hoped that with national co-operation, much will be achieved with this four-year plan to bring the manatee back.
For more information, please contact Nicole Auil, Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, 8 St. Mark St., P.O. Box 1884, Belize City, Belize. Tel 501-2-35739, Fax 501-2-30719, E-mail czmbz@btl.net
The Marine Aquarium Council
The Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) is a non-profit organization composed of representative of the aquarium industry, hobbyists, conservation organizations, government agencies, and public aquariums, interested in the future of the marine aquarium industry, the marine organisms it is based on, and the habitats that support them. The MAC is working to establish "best practice" standards, a certification system, and a labeling program for the commerce in marine aquarium organisms and will be working with the aquarium fisheries in the Caribbean.
For more information, please contact:
Paul Holthus, Executive Director, Marine Aquarium Council, 3035 Hibiscus Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii USA 96815. Tel: (808) 923-3254. Fax: (808) 923-6023.
E-Mail: paul.holthus@aquariumcouncil.org; Web: www.aquariumcouncil.org.
Eastern Caribbean Cetacean Network (ECCN)
The ECCN is a regional, volunteer network that records sightings and strandings of marine mammals in the Eastern Caribbean. Through research and education, ECCN's objective is to gain community support for the protection of resident and migratory whales and dolphins and their marine habitat. The assistance of yachters, fishermen and whale watch operators provides valuable information on species and their behaviour. ECCN offers in-school programmes and workshops for children and adults as well as training sessions for field identification and stranding protocols.
To learn more about the ECCN or if you are interested in becoming an active member or serving as an
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