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Reef Status Threats & in Belize

Reef Status Threats & in Belize. June 7, 2007. Melanie McField, PhD Smithsonian Institution. LARGEST REEF SURVEY CONDUCTED IN MAR. Summer 2006. Filling gaps. Taking the pulse of the reef 10 Indicators in one sweep. Belize survey 6 NGOs >30 trainees. 138 sites in Belize ~ 330 in MAR.

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Reef Status Threats & in Belize

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  1. Reef Status Threats & in Belize June 7, 2007 Melanie McField, PhD Smithsonian Institution

  2. LARGEST REEF SURVEY CONDUCTED IN MAR Summer 2006 Filling gaps Taking the pulse of the reef 10 Indicators in one sweep Belize survey 6 NGOs >30 trainees 138 sites in Belize ~ 330 in MAR

  3. Oddball Reefs in Unlikely Places Big Mamma Corals

  4. The urchins are back! Some recovery after 25 yrs

  5. Parrotfish Biomass

  6. What is a Healthy Reef ? A reef is healthy if it maintains its structure and function and allows for the fulfillment of reasonable human needs Adapted from N.O. Nielsen, Professor Emeritus, UG How do we actually measure this? When is our baseline? Human dimensions also need assessment

  7. Public and Media Interest in Human Health and Contaminants USGS Reports Most U.S. Rivers and Marine Life Contain Pesticides Date Published: Saturday, March 4th, 2006By Steven DiJoseph Kids Even More Vulnerable to Pesticides Than Previously Believed, Study ShowsHealth, Environment Groups Warn Government Ignores Scientific Evidence of Higher Risk to Children By: NRDCPublished: Mar 4, 2006 at 07:09 Readily understandable link between environmental & human health risks

  8. Contaminants in breast milkfrom two individuals in Belize Chem Concent. ADI Malaoxon* 49 ppb 49,000 times higher Endosulfan 2.4 ppb 12 times higher Mirex 9 ppb 15,000 times higher DDT 91 ppb 65 times higher Aldrin 2.2 ppb 8 times higher ppb = parts per billion ADI = Allowable Daily Intake for a 2.8 kg infant Larger Study Now Underway

  9. Environmental Perceptions of Threats Based on 2005 Survey of 100 regional stakeholders

  10. Belize’s main coral bleaching events in 1995, 98, 05 Variable mortality 0% – 99% of corals

  11. Direct Impacts of Tourism on Reefs

  12. Inappropriate coastal/island development

  13. Inappropriate Aquaculture

  14. Threatened species Habitat conversion Apr. 2005 Jan. 2005

  15. Inappropriate inland land use & development: agriculture

  16. Marine Pollution & Shipping Accidents Marine-based pollution Ship groundings

  17. Over fishing $ $ $

  18. Fishing Gear & Bycatch

  19. SIZE MATTERS! Fewer “big mammas” means fewer baby fish Fully-protected reserves – where the big fish live 40cm grouper produces 1 million eggs 100cm grouper produces 15 million eggs

  20. There is hope…But we must be diligent stewards And recognize the costs of our actions

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