Establishing a Socio-economic Monitoring Program for Glover’s Reef Atoll, Belize

In an effort to strengthen the management of the Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve in Belize, a socioeconomic monitoring program is being developed. Although the Marine Reserve was declared in 1993, comprehensive socioeconomic data have not been systematically collected for the site. The SocMon protocol for the Caribbean was applied and the results provide a baseline of the status of the Atoll against which future surveys can be compared. Results presented for the survey of fishermen from Sarteneja, Dangriga and Hopkins include summaries on demographics, marine activities, attitudes and perceptions, perceived threats, and material style of life. By continuing this program, information will be generated which should ensure adaptive management occurs, introducing measures that are acceptable and effective.